Confusion about supposed stimulus checks, IRS “relief deposits,” and “tariff dividends” has grown due to misleading posts and headlines.
The biggest rumor claims a new federal stimulus will arrive in December 2025, but this is false. As the article states, “this program does not exist.”
No new law has been passed, and the government is not preparing national payments.
Much of the misunderstanding comes from things being misrepresented as new aid:
“Routine tax refunds,” “unclaimed pandemic-era credits,” and “state-level relief programs.”
These are real processes, but none are new federal stimulus checks.
Another viral claim says the IRS will issue a $2,000 payment, but the article notes there
is “no new $2,000 payment,” only a move toward using direct deposit for regular refunds.
Tariff dividends discussed politically are also not real payments—“no plan exists for distribution.”
In short: no new stimulus, no $2,000 IRS deposit, and no tariff payouts.
