Frequently Asked Questions

As of August 2025, there are no new federal stimulus checks officially approved for August or September 2025. However, eligible taxpayers can still claim the Recovery Rebate Credit on their 2024 tax returns if they didn't receive the full amount of previous Economic Impact Payments. Several states have active or proposed stimulus and relief programs for August 2025.

You can claim the Recovery Rebate Credit by filing your 2024 federal tax return (Form 1040). The credit will be calculated based on the Economic Impact Payments you were eligible for but didn't receive. You'll need to provide information about any payments you did receive and your eligibility status.

Tariff rebate checks are a proposed program to distribute revenues collected from import tariffs back to American households. The program aims to offset increased costs from trade policies. Currently, this is under congressional review with proposed payments ranging from $500 to $2,000 per household, depending on income levels.

Several states have active or proposed programs including Colorado (TABOR refunds), California (proposed inflation relief), New York (homeowner tax rebates), Texas (property tax relief), Florida (sales tax holidays), and Illinois (property tax rebates). Check your state's specific program for eligibility and deadlines.

For tax year 2025, the Child Tax Credit is up to $2,000 per qualifying child under 17. There are proposals to enhance this to $3,600 for children under 6 and $3,000 for children 6-17, but these enhancements haven't been approved yet. The credit begins to phase out at $200,000 for single filers and $400,000 for joint filers.

The EITC is a federal tax credit for low to moderate-income working individuals and families. For 2025, the maximum credit ranges from $600 for individuals without children to $7,830 for families with three or more children. Eligibility depends on earned income, filing status, and number of qualifying children.

It depends on the state and program. Some states automatically send payments to eligible residents who filed tax returns, while others require separate applications. Check your state's tax agency website for specific requirements and application procedures.

Federal Economic Impact Payments and the Recovery Rebate Credit are not taxable and don't need to be reported as income. However, some state payments may be taxable at the federal level. The IRS has provided guidance that most state relief payments are not taxable, but you should verify for your specific situation.

If you haven't filed taxes but were eligible for Economic Impact Payments, you can still claim them as Recovery Rebate Credits by filing your 2024 tax return. You may also want to file previous years' returns to claim any credits or refunds you're entitled to. The IRS offers free filing assistance.

Payment amounts vary by program. Federal programs typically base amounts on filing status, income level, and number of dependents. State programs may consider additional factors like property ownership, vehicle registration, or specific hardships. Income phase-outs apply to most programs.