The IRS is not currently distributing stimulus checks. These payments were issued during the pandemic in 2020, 2021, and 2022 under the CARES Act, American Rescue Plan, and other emergency relief laws. No new stimulus checks have been authorized since then.
Stimulus checks were direct payments made to eligible U.S. taxpayers based on income, filing status, and number of dependents. They were funded through congressional appropriations and delivered via direct deposit, paper check, or prepaid debit card. The IRS did not issue these payments independently-it acted as the distribution agent under federal law.
As of 2024, Congress has not passed legislation authorizing new stimulus payments. The most recent round was the third Economic Impact Payment in 2021, which reached 160 million recipients. The IRS confirmed that no further payments are scheduled unless new legislation passes.
Payments were calculated using 2019 or 2020 tax returns. The IRS used the Internal Revenue Service Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) and Form 1040 data to determine eligibility. For example, a single filer earning under $75,000 received $1,200; couples under $150,000 got $2,400; and additional $500 per qualifying child.
Direct deposits were processed within days of the payment being approved. Paper checks took 3-5 weeks to arrive. The IRS used the address on file from prior tax returns. If a taxpayer hadn't filed in years, they missed the payment unless they filed a 2020 return later.
For instance, a married couple with two children who earned $120,000 in 2020 received $3,400: $2,400 for the couple and $1,000 for the two children. The IRS sent this amount via direct deposit on April 15, 2021, after processing 150 million forms.
Eligibility depended on adjusted gross income (AGI), citizenship status, and dependency claims. Non-resident aliens, individuals with no Social Security Number, and those who didn't file taxes were excluded. The IRS applied phase-out rules: payments decreased by $5 for every $100 above the threshold.
A common mistake is assuming the IRS sends checks automatically. The agency only disbursed funds to people who had filed a 2019 or 2020 tax return. Those who hadn't filed by December 31, 2020, had to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit on their 2021 return to receive the missing amount.
Another error is confusing stimulus checks with tax refunds. Refunds are owed money from overpaid taxes. Stimulus payments were one-time benefits unrelated to tax liability. A person could receive both-a refund and a stimulus check-if they qualified for both.
No new stimulus checks are being issued. The U.S. Treasury Department and IRS have confirmed that no additional payments are planned for 2024 or 2025. Any claim that the IRS is mailing checks now is false and may be a scam.
Some states, like California and New York, offered their own pandemic relief programs. These were state-funded and separate from federal stimulus payments. The IRS did not administer them.
If you're expecting a payment, verify your filing status and income. File your 2023 tax return early to ensure you don't miss future benefits. The IRS uses tax data to determine eligibility for future aid, so accurate filings matter.
Be cautious of scams. The IRS never calls to ask for personal details or threatens arrest. If you receive a suspicious email claiming to be from the IRS, report it to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA).
I once reviewed a case where a client believed they'd get a stimulus check because a friend mentioned it online. After checking irs.gov, we confirmed no new payments existed. The client had filed late and missed the 2021 credit window. We filed an amended return and recovered $1,200 in the Recovery Rebate Credit.
Stimulus checks were not tax credits or refunds. They were advance payments of a refundable tax credit. This meant they were paid before the tax year ended and could be claimed retroactively.
Unlike unemployment benefits or SNAP, stimulus payments weren't means-tested. Income thresholds applied, but low-income individuals didn't need to apply. The IRS used existing data to identify recipients.
Even though the IRS handles tax administration, it doesn't decide whether to issue stimulus payments. That decision rests with Congress. The President signs the bill; the IRS executes it.
| Payment Type | Year Issued | Max Amount | Funding Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Economic Impact Payment | 2020 | $1,200 (single) | CARES Act |
| Second Payment | 2021 | $600 (per adult) | American Rescue Plan |
| Third Payment | 2021 | $1,400 (per adult) | American Rescue Plan |
Stimulus checks were temporary pandemic relief. They are not part of ongoing federal benefit programs. The IRS does not give out stimulus checks now, and no new ones are expected until Congress acts.