Overview
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Around 1 million taxpayers have been identified this tax-filing season as eligible for unclaimed rebate checks linked to the pandemic.
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In a separate context, Elon Musk has mentioned he will consult with Trump about potentially returning any federal government spending savings to taxpayers.
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There are currently no plans for widespread stimulus checks in 2025.
With the tax-filing season in progress, many Americans are keen to learn about available refunds and additional payments.
A backlog of $1,400 stimulus checks may be accessible to a limited group of Americans this tax-filing season, while Elon Musk has expressed his intent to discuss potential refund checks to taxpayers as DOGE evaluates federal spending.
Aside from this, there are no new stimulus checks anticipated for 2025.
Here’s what you should know:
Economic Impact Payments
Background
During the pandemic, American households received three COVID stimulus payments, officially known as “economic impact payments.” In March 2021, qualified individuals were awarded up to $1,400 per tax filer and $1,400 for each child under the American Rescue Plan Act.
IRS Stimulus Check 2025
Recently, the IRS has identified a very small group of taxpayers who either failed to claim this credit or received less than the total entitled amount.
What’s next?
Approximately 1 million taxpayers are expected to receive their unclaimed rebate check from the IRS. These payments are exclusively available to those who did not claim the Recovery Rebate Credit on their 2021 tax returns.
By the numbers
The rebates can be as high as $1,400 and will be automatically deposited.
RELATED: $1,400 Tax Rebate: The Program is Legit, but Beware of Scam Texts, BBB Cautions
Trump Stimulus: A DOGE Dividend?
Background
Since Donald Trump assumed office in January, one of his primary goals has been to reduce and restructure federal government spending.
He has appointed billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk to lead a new initiative called the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which is tasked with identifying areas for budget cuts.
What They’re Saying
During an interview that aired Tuesday night on FOX with Sean Hannity, President Trump and Musk expressed their expectation of finding $1 trillion in unnecessary federal spending that could be eliminated.
When asked on X if part of this savings could be returned to taxpayers, Musk responded that he would consult with the President about a potential “DOGE dividend.”
The Source
This article draws information from an FAQ page on the IRS website regarding the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit, from comments made during a FOX News interview on February 18, 2025, and from a public tweet by Elon Musk. This report originates from Detroit.
