Trump delays tariffs on China for 90 days as negotiations continue
President Donald Trump issued an executive order locking in 30% tariffs on goods imported from China until November.
Are you waiting on the hopes of a fourth stimulus check in August 2025 or some other inflation relief or tax refund this year from the IRS? Here’s what to know about Trump’s new tariff rebate, tracking, eligibility and update on their status.
On July 25, President Donald Trump floated the idea of a tariff rebate check for American taxpayers, he said “We have so much money coming in, we’re thinking about a little rebate. But the big thing we want to do is pay down debt. But we’re thinking about a rebate.”
A few days after the president’s tariff rebate comments, Missouri Republican Sen. Josh Hawley announced the American Worker Rebate Act of 2025 aimed at sending checks to Americans.
Here’s what to know about the American Worker Rebate Act of 2025, stimulus checks, eligibility and how to track your state or federal tax refunds.
Is there a fourth stimulus check? How to check eligibility
While speculation about a fourth stimulus check of $2,000 has surfaced on social media and unverified websites, there has been no official confirmation from Congress or the IRS to support this claim and any such news should be taken with caution as it could be misinformation or attempted fraud.
The first stimulus check was for up to $1,200 for individuals and $2,400 for married couples, plus $500 per qualifying child under the age of 17. While the second stimulus check was up to $600 per individual, $1,200 for married couples and $600 per qualifying child under 17.
The third stimulus check was for $1,400 per eligible individual and married couples filing jointly received an additional $1,400 for each qualifying dependent.
The opportunities to claim or file for the first stimulus payment (issued in March and April 2020) or the second stimulus check (issued by Jan. 15, 2021) or the third stimulus check (issued between March and December 2021) have now passed.
The deadline to file for the third and last stimulus check was April 15, 2025; it marked a three-year deadline to claim any tax refunds or in this case, the $1,400 Recovery Rebate Credit for 2021.
It is best to work directly with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or a reputable tax professional to address missing stimulus payments or claim the relevant Recovery Rebate Credit on your tax return, if eligible.
Even if you received a tax extension, you still needed to file your 2021 tax return by the April 15, 2025 deadline to claim that third stimulus check. There are no extensions or appeals available for missed deadlines, and any unclaimed stimulus payments become the property of the U.S. Treasury.
Are we getting a stimulus check in 2025?
Trump floated the idea of using part of the governement revenue being generated by the new tariffs and returning it to taxpayers of a certain income level in the form of a rebate check, similar to the stimulus checks sent during the pandemic.
Trump floats rebates for taxpayers amid tariff windfall
President Donald Trump says his administration is considering taxpayer rebates as the White House says tariffs have raked in over $100 billion.
A rebate is a partial refund of the purchase price that a consumer paid, often upon meeting certain conditions – more like a discount that is refunded after the purchase versus a discount that is applied at the point of sale.
A stimulus check, on the other hand, is a direct payment to encourage spending and stimulate the economy by putting money directly into the consumers’ hands.
In February, Trump also said he would consider the plan to pay out $5,000 stimulus checks to taxpayers in the form of a “DOGE dividend” during a summit in Miami. He explained it as using part of the 20% of the savings identified by Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and giving it back to taxpayers. However, he has not shared any further specifics or details about the possible “DOGE dividend” or its certainty since then.
Who is getting inflation checks?
Several states, including New York, have sent or are sending out “inflation relief checks” to residents who paid higher sales taxes due to inflation. These are one-time payments with varying amounts based on income, with individuals earning up to $75,000 receiving $200, and married couples filing jointly earning up to $150,000 receiving $400.
Pennsylvania, Georgia and Colorado also offered inflation refund checks to property owners or taxpayers in the same vein, but call them “rebate checks” with differing criteria and qualifications.
Where is my federal tax refund?
If you filed your federal taxes electronically and included your banking information, then you may expect a direct deposit within 21 days. If you did not include banking information, then you may expect a paper check refund via the mail within six to eight weeks.
Submitting your return is not the same as the IRS accepting your return. Once it is accepted, you will know it has if you see a “Refund Sent” alert when you check your tax return status online, at which point you won’t have to wait too long for the funds to show up in your account.
Once the IRS approves your refund, it could hit your bank account within days via the direct deposit option.
The IRS has an online tool called “Where’s My Refund” that allows you to check on the status of your refund. Click here.
You can start checking the status of your refund within 24 hours after you e-filed your return. The refund information is updated on the IRS website once a day, overnight.
The online tool requires you to enter your Social Security number, filing status and exact refund amount on the return. It will then respond with a return received (processing), refund approved (preparing to issue refund by date shown) or refund sent (send to your bank or in the mail).
Again, once it shows the IRS has approved your refund, it could hit your bank account within days via the direct deposit option.
The other way to check on the status is to call the IRS at 800-829-1954.
Where is my state tax refund?
Most states have dedicated online portals for tracking income tax returns.
The Delaware Division of Taxation has established an online portal you can access to check the status of your state refund.
To check on Pennsylvania online portal for state tax refund, click here.
To check on New Jersey online portal for state tax refund, click here.
Maria Francis is a Pennsylvania-based journalist with the Mid-Atlantic Connect Team.