Rumors of New Stimulus Checks Spark Uncertainty in Washington

WASHINGTON – Speculation around new federal stimulus checks continues, but there is no official confirmation from Congress or the IRS. Recent discussions, fueled by President Donald Trump‘s social media posts, suggest that checks might be possible, but these remain only proposals.

The last economic impact payments were issued in 2021, stemming from the pandemic, and any future payments would require new legislative action. Recently, the IRS stated that it would issue automatic payments of up to $1,400 to those who missed claiming the Recovery Rebate Credit on their 2021 tax returns. These payments will be processed automatically between December 2024 and January 2025.

In a recent post on Truth Social, Trump proposed the idea of a tariff dividend, suggesting that every individual could receive at least $2,000, excluding high-income earners. He emphasized that this dividend would be sourced from tariff revenue and reiterated his intention to address the national debt through these payments.

During an interview with FOX 5, NOTUS reporter Violet Jira commented on the possibility of these checks, stating that there are still many unanswered questions. ‘The Trump administration has indicated a commitment to the idea, but its actual implementation remains uncertain,’ she said.

The IRS continues to warn the public about potential scams related to stimulus payments, emphasizing the importance of verifying communications claiming to be from the agency. Reports of $1,702 and $1,390 payments circulating online have often been linked to state-level programs or scams rather than legitimate federal funding.

While the conversation about direct payments to citizens continues, financial experts express skepticism about the feasibility of such measures without Congressional backing. ‘Direct payments could become a topic of discussion again as the midterm elections approach, especially if economic conditions worsen,’ said Raymond James analyst Ed Mills.

As of now, any new federal stimulus checks have not been authorized, leaving many taxpayers waiting for clarity. With the economic landscape remaining uncertain, experts caution taxpayers to be vigilant against misinformation and scams regarding stimulus checks.