No new federal stimulus payment is currently being sent, but several state-level payments and tax credits remain available
As of now, there is no active federal stimulus payment program sending money to households. The last federal Economic Impact Payment (the third stimulus check) went out in 2021. However, this does not mean no money is moving. Some states are running their own rebate and relief programs, and the federal government continues to send payments through tax credits and refunds that work differently than stimulus checks.
The confusion is understandable. Stimulus payments, state rebates, tax refunds, and child tax credits all arrive as direct deposits or checks, but they come from different programs with different timelines and may be able to access rules. Knowing which one you might receive—and when—requires looking at your specific state and tax situation rather than waiting for an announcement of a new federal round.
Key Takeaways
- No new federal stimulus payment is currently being distributed; the last federal Economic Impact Payment ended in 2021.
- Some states have run one-time rebate programs funded by budget surpluses, but these are state-specific and most have already closed.
- The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit are ongoing federal payments that arrive through tax refunds and may be larger than past stimulus checks.
- Tax refunds, including advance Child Tax Credit payments, can take 21 days or longer depending on how you file and whether the IRS needs to verify your information.
- Checking your state's revenue or treasury website is the fastest way to learn whether a current payment program exists in your location.
Why there is no new federal stimulus payment right now
Congress has not authorized a new round of Economic Impact Payments since the third payment in March 2021. That payment sent up to $1,400 per person to most households. Since then, no federal legislation has created a new stimulus program, and the IRS is not sending out checks under any active federal stimulus authority.
This does not mean the federal government has stopped sending money to households. The IRS continues to process tax refunds, send Child Tax Credit payments, and distribute the Earned Income Tax Credit. These are separate programs with their own rules and timelines, and they can be substantial. But they are not stimulus payments—they are tax-based benefits that depend on your income, filing status, and family situation.
State rebate programs that have run recently
Several states created one-time payment programs during 2022 and 2023 using budget surpluses. California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, and others sent checks or tax credits to residents. These programs are now mostly closed. California's Middle Class Tax Refund ended in 2023. Colorado's rebate program closed after distributing payments. Georgia's tax refund program is no longer active.
A few states may still have programs running or may announce new ones if budget conditions change, but there is no may provide. The best way to know whether your state has a current program is to visit your state's revenue department or treasury website directly. Search "[Your State] tax refund" or "[Your State] rebate program" to find the official page. If a program is active, the state website will list may be able to access, payment amounts, and how to receive your money.
Tax credits that send money to your account or mailbox
The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a federal tax credit that can return hundreds or thousands of dollars depending on your income and family size. If you work but earn below certain income thresholds, you may receive a refund larger than the taxes you paid. The EITC is permanent, not a one-time stimulus. You receive it by filing a tax return.
The Child Tax Credit provides up to $2,000 per child under 17. If your tax liability is less than the credit amount, the IRS sends you the difference as a refund. This credit is also permanent and arrives when you file your return. Some families received advance payments of the Child Tax Credit in 2021 and 2022, but those programs have ended. Now the credit is available only through your annual tax return.
Both credits depend on your income, filing status, and number of dependents. If you think you may be may have access to to either one, file a tax return even if you have no tax liability. The IRS will calculate what you are owed and send it to you.
How long it takes to receive a tax refund or credit payment
If you file electronically and choose direct deposit, the IRS typically sends your refund within 21 days. If you file by mail or request a check, the timeline is longer—usually four to six weeks or more. The IRS publishes a "Where's My Refund?" tool on its website where you can enter your Social Security number, filing status, and refund amount to see the current status of your return.
Some returns take longer. If the IRS needs to verify your identity, check for errors, or match information with other records, your refund can be delayed by weeks or months. If you claimed the EITC or Child Tax Credit, the IRS may hold your refund until mid-February to prevent fraud, even if you filed in January.
The fastest way to receive a refund is to file electronically, claim direct deposit, and file as early as possible in the tax season. Avoid mailing a paper return unless you have no other option.
How to check whether a payment is coming to you
Start by checking the IRS website. Go to irs.gov and use the "Where's My Refund?" tool if you have filed a tax return. You will need your Social Security number, filing status (single, married filing jointly, etc.), and the exact refund amount from your return. The tool updates once per day and will tell you whether your return is being processed, approved, or sent.
If you have not filed a tax return yet and think you may be owed a refund or credit, use the IRS Free File tool to prepare and file your return at no cost. You can file from home, and the IRS will send your refund by direct deposit if you provide your bank account information.
For state programs, visit your state's revenue or treasury department website. Search for "tax refund," "rebate," or "relief payment" along with your state name. The official state page will list any active programs, who is may be able to access, and how much money is available.
What to do if you received a payment you did not expect
If money arrived in your bank account or you received a check from the IRS or your state and you are unsure why, do not spend it immediately. Check your tax return first. The payment may be a refund you filed for, a credit you are may have access to to, or a correction the IRS made to a previous year's return.
If you cannot find a reason for the payment on your own, contact the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040 or visit an IRS office. Have your Social Security number and recent tax return handy. For state payments, call your state's revenue department. Do not assume the payment is an error or that you need to return it without confirming with the agency that sent it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Congress planning to send another stimulus check?
There is no current proposal or legislation for a new federal stimulus payment. Congress would need to pass a law authorizing it, and no such bill is active. If circumstances change and Congress acts, announcements will come from official government sources, not from private websites or social media.
Can I get a stimulus payment if I did not receive one in 2020 or 2021?
No. The stimulus payments from 2020 and 2021 are no longer available. If you were may be able to access but did not receive a payment, you may have been able to claim it as a credit on your 2020 or 2021 tax return, but those years are now closed. You cannot go back and receive a payment you missed.
How do I know if my state has a current rebate or relief program?
Visit your state's revenue department or treasury website and search for "tax refund," "rebate," or "relief payment." The official state page will list any active programs. You can also call your state's tax helpline. Avoid relying on news articles or social media, as programs change and close frequently.
Will I automatically receive my tax refund or do I need to do something?
You must file a tax return to receive a refund or tax credit. The IRS does not automatically send money without a return. File electronically and choose direct deposit for the fastest payment. If you earned income but did not file, you may still be owed money from the EITC or other credits.
What if the IRS says my refund is delayed?
Delays happen when the IRS needs to verify your identity, check for errors, or match information with other agencies. Check "Where's My Refund?" regularly for updates. If your refund is delayed more than 21 days after filing electronically, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. Do not assume the delay means your refund will not come.