IRS lifts penalty for churches making political endorsements
IRS says it will no longer penalize houses of worship for endorsing political candidates during religious services, as long as it’s framed as part of religious expression.
unbranded – Newsworthy
Wondering if you’re still owed a COVID‑era stimulus check or have heard rumors of another one coming in July?
Taxpayers may also be waiting for a 2024 tax refund if they filed their return this year.
Here’s what to know about any potential stimulus and tax refund checks.
Can I still claim a stimulus check?
The first stimulus check was for up to $1,200 per individual and $2,400 per married couple, plus $500 per qualifying child under age 17. The second check was up to $600 per individual, $1,200 per married couple and $600 per qualifying child under 17.
The third check was for $1,400 per eligible individual, and married couples filing jointly received an additional $1,400 for each qualifying dependent.
Deadlines to claim these payments have passed. The final opportunity to claim the third check was April 15, 2025, marking 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 April 15, 2025, to claim that third stimulus check. There are no extensions or appeals for missed deadlines, and any unclaimed stimulus payments revert to the U.S. Treasury.
Is there a fourth stimulus check on the way?
Despite viral social media and unverified sources promoting a $2,000 or $5,000 “fourth stimulus check,” no legislation or official IRS announcement has confirmed new federal payments. Such rumors may reflect misinformation or fraud.
What happened to the $5,000 DOGE stimulus check?
In February, President Trump mentioned considering a plan to distribute $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 returning it to taxpayers. The proposal remains speculative, with no plans or legislation enacted since then.
Where’s my refund? How to check your tax return status
The process of seeing your tax refund status is easy.
Taxpayers who have filed their returns can view their refund status using the “Where’s My Refund?” tool on the IRS.gov site. To check the status, you must enter the following information:
- Your Social Security or individual taxpayer ID number (ITIN)
- Your filing status
- The exact refund amount on your return
Once the information is entered, you will see one of the following:
- Return Received – The IRS received your return and is processing it.
- Refund Approved – The IRS approved your refund and is preparing to issue it by the date shown.
- Refund Sent – The IRS has sent the refund to your bank or mailed it to you. It may take five days for it to show in your bank account or several weeks for your check to arrive in the mail
How long will it take for my refund to be deposited?
The timeline for your refund depends on how you filed the tax return.
If you file electronically, your return is processed much faster than if you file a paper return and wait for a check. According to the IRS, most refunds are issued in less than three weeks.
The IRS advises taxpayers not to depend on receiving a refund by a specific date, particularly when making significant purchases or paying bills. Some returns may require further review, which may take additional time.
Why is my refund delayed?
There are several reasons why a tax return may get delayed. Here are the most common reasons, as per the IRS:
- The return has errors, is incomplete, or is affected by identity theft or fraud.
- The return needs a correction to the child tax credit or recovery rebate credit amount.
- The return has a claim filed for an earned income tax credit or additional child tax credit or includes a Form 8379, Injured Spouse Allocation PDF.
- The time it takes a taxpayer’s bank or credit union to post the refund to the taxpayer’s account.
Can I still file taxes past the due date?
Yes, you can file past the due date. Here’s what you need to know:
- You can file late even if you missed the April 15, 2025 deadline.
- If you have requested an extension, October 15, 2025 is the final date to file your federal income tax return.
- If you didn’t file or request an extension, it’s best to file as soon as possible to minimize penalties and interest.
–USA TODAY Network Maria Francis contributed to this report.