With 2025 underway, many Americans are still asking: Will there be a fourth stimulus check this year? Some are also wondering if they can still claim past payments they may have missed. Here's what you need to know about the current status of any future stimulus checks and how to handle unclaimed payments from previous years.
First, if you didn’t receive your first or second stimulus checks — which were issued in March-April 2020 and by January 15, 2021 respectively — unfortunately, the window to claim those has closed.
As for the third stimulus check, which was distributed between March and December 2021, the deadline to file a claim was April 15, 2025. This marked the end of the three-year period to request any missing 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit payments — including the $1,400 check.
Even if you filed for a tax extension this year, you still needed to submit your 2021 return by the April 15 deadline to receive the third payment. Once the deadline passes, there are no appeals or extensions available. Any funds not claimed by then are forfeited to the U.S. Treasury.
No Official Word on a Fourth Stimulus Yet
There’s been a lot of talk online about a possible $2,000 fourth stimulus check in 2025. Some posts even claim it’s already approved. However, it’s important to note: no official announcement has been made by the IRS or Congress confirming such a plan. Most of the current buzz appears to be speculation or, in some cases, outright misinformation.
Back in February, former President Donald Trump mentioned a potential new stimulus during a summit in Miami. He floated the idea of a $5,000 "DOGE dividend" for taxpayers — a payout he said could be funded from 20% savings identified by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk.
While the concept gained some attention, Trump hasn’t shared any concrete details or confirmed whether the DOGE dividend will actually move forward. Until further clarification comes from official government sources, any such news should be viewed with caution.
Refund Status and When to Expect Your Money
Still waiting for your tax refund? Here’s what to expect:
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If you filed your taxes electronically and added direct deposit info, you can usually expect your refund within about 21 days.
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If you didn’t provide banking details and opted for a paper check, it may take 6 to 8 weeks for your refund to arrive in the mail.
To track your refund, visit the official IRS "Where's My Refund?" tool on their website.
