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Do you qualify for another stimulus check? Some taxpayers are still waiting on the possibility of a stimulus check in 2025 from President Donald Trump or a previous unclaimed stimulus from the Internal Revenue Service.
Here’s what to know about the second, third and fourth stimulus checks, amounts and an update on their status.
The first stimulus check was for up to $1,200 for individuals and $2,400 for married couples, plus $500 per qualifying child under the age of 17. While the second check was up to $600 per individual, $1,200 for married couples and $600 per qualifying child under 17.
The third stimulus check was for $1,400 per eligible individual and married couples filing jointly received an additional $1,400 for each qualifying dependent.
The opportunities to claim or file for the first stimulus payment (issued in March and April 2020) or the second stimulus check (issued by Jan. 15, 2021) or the third stimulus check (issued between March and December 2021) have now passed.
The deadline to file for the third and laste stimulus check was April 15, 2025; it marked a three-year deadline to claim any tax refunds or in this case, the $1,400 Recovery Rebate Credit for 2021.
It is best to work directly with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or a reputable tax professional to address missing stimulus payments or claim the relevant Recovery Rebate Credit on your tax return, if eligible.
Even if you received a tax extension, you still needed to file your 2021 tax return by the April 15, 2025 deadline to claim that third stimulus check. There are no extensions or appeals available for missed deadlines, and any unclaimed stimulus payments become the property of the U.S. Treasury.
While speculation about a fourth stimulus check of $2,000 has surfaced on social media and unverified websites, there has been no official confirmation from Congress or the IRS to support this claim and any such news should be taken with caution as it could be misinformation or attempted fraud.
In February, Trump said he would consider the plan to pay out $5,000 stimulus checks to taxpayers in the form of a “DOGE dividend” during a summit in Miami. He explained it as using part of the 20% of the savings identified by Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and giving it back to taxpayers. However, he has not shared any further specifics or details about the possible “DOGE dividend” or its certainty since then.
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Here’s what to know about tracking your tax refund and when to expect it.
When will I get my tax refund?
If you filed your federal taxes electronically and included your banking information, then you may expect a direct deposit within 21 days. If you did not include banking information, then you may expect a paper check refund via the mail within six to eight weeks.
Submitting your return is not the same as the IRS accepting your return. Once it is accepted, you will know it has if you see a “Refund Sent” alert when you check your tax return status online, at which point you won’t have to wait too long for the funds to show up in your account.
Once the IRS approves your refund, it could hit your bank account within days via the direct deposit option.
How to check on my federal refund status?
The IRS has an online tool called “Where’s My Refund” that allows you to check on the status of your refund. Click here.
You can start checking the status of your refund within 24 hours after you e-filed your return. The refund information is updated on the IRS website once a day, overnight.
The online tool requires you to enter your Social Security number, filing status and exact refund amount on the return. It will then respond with a return received (processing), refund approved (preparing to issue refund by date shown) or refund sent (send to your bank or in the mail).
Again, once it shows the IRS has approved your refund, it could hit your bank account within days via the direct deposit option.
The other way to check on the status is to call the IRS at 800-829-1954.
What is IRS refund schedule 2025?
If your taxes were electronically filed and accepted by April 15, it is estimated that you may expect a direct deposit federal refund from the IRS by May 6 or June 16th by mail.
Maria Francis is a Pennsylvania-based journalist with the Mid-Atlantic Connect Team.