After the end of the pandemic, rumors have been circulating on the internet claiming that the federal government will continue to distribute the fourth round of relief funds. Many of these messages are spreading with a sense of urgency. Recently, there is another rumor circulating online that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in the United States will be issuing $2,000 by October or by the end of the year. But is there any truth to these rumors?
According to the latest information on the IRS official website, there is no concrete basis for the aforementioned rumors, and there is no announcement of any new federal relief payment plan for the year 2025 on the website, at least not at the moment. The U.S. Congress or the IRS has not provided any official confirmation of these claims, so taxpayers should be cautious when it comes to rumors circulating online.
In fact, rumors regarding the fourth round of relief funds in the United States have been ongoing since the beginning of the year. Previously, there were rumors circulating online about the IRS distributing $1,390 or $1,400 in relief checks. However, a spokesperson for the IRS clarified that the information circulating online was not accurate.
So, why do such rumors attract so much attention and are believed by so many people?
Following the outbreak of the pandemic in 2020, the IRS did indeed distribute three rounds of federal relief checks (Economic Impact Payments, also known as Stimulus Checks) to taxpayers in accordance with legislation signed by two different presidents. The first round was $1,200 per person ($2,400 for married couples filing jointly), the second round was $600 per person ($1,200 for married couples filing jointly), and the third round was $1,400 per person.
However, the three authorized rounds of relief funds have already been fully distributed. In an official statement at the end of last year, the IRS stated that they had completed the distribution of all the first, second, and third rounds of relief funds. Most eligible individuals had already received their payments, and those who had not claimed their relief funds are eligible to apply for the Recovery Rebate Credit.
The deadline to apply for the final $1,400 relief payment under the Recovery Rebate Credit was April 15, 2025.
While in July, some members of Congress proposed the American Worker Rebate Act to provide subsidies to the public, this is currently just a proposal and has not been passed by Congress. Some states may be offering assistance to residents within the states, but these are not nationwide federal relief programs.
The IRS has issued multiple warnings to the public to beware of SMS scams and scammers posing as official personnel, including those related to relief funds. Scammers often use email, SMS, or social media to lure individuals with enticing messages about tax refunds, tax offsets, or new rounds of relief funds in an attempt to steal personal and financial information.
– Unexpected windfalls: When something sounds too good to be true, it usually is. Incorrect tax advice on social media could lead you to falsify information on tax returns or make you believe that you can claim certain tax refunds.
– False promises: Scammers may promise that if taxpayers provide authorization, they can expedite the process of receiving checks or refunds.
– Threats or coercion: Scammers may threaten arrest or deportation and demand immediate payments or consequences.
– Website links: Strange or misspelled webpage links could redirect you to dangerous fake websites instead of the official IRS website.
– Soliciting personal information: Requesting victims to sign checks or provide bank account and personal details.
The IRS advises taxpayers to remain vigilant and not respond to messages claiming to be from the IRS through SMS, email, or social media posts. Such messages may contain malicious software that could compromise personal information. When receiving unsolicited emails or SMS regarding personal tax information, never click on any links or attachments.
Moreover, do not respond to requests claiming to be from the IRS asking for personal and financial information. The IRS does not contact taxpayers through SMS, email, or social media channels for such information. In case of suspicious phishing or scam activities, they can be reported online.