No, the IRS is not distributing ‘stimulus checks’ in certain states this month, despite online claims.

stimulus checks
stimulus checks

People in 10 states will automatically receive a fourth round of stimulus funds on Nov. 30.

AP’S VERDICT: False. The federal government is not giving out more stimulus money, says the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). There were three rounds of these payments during the coronavirus pandemic. The last one was sent out nationwide nearly two years ago.

FACTS: A social media post is spreading false information. It says taxpayers in ten states (Alabama, Arizona, Maryland, New York, Virginia, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Tennessee, and Texas) will get a “4th round” of stimulus checks at the end of the month.

The social media post says, “If the IRS has your account information, you’ll get the money automatically. If you got a paper check for your tax refund this year, you’ll get your stimulus. But if you moved and they don’t have your new address, that’s your problem.”

The post also claims these payments will be between $500 and $2,000, depending on the state, citing “google & IRS” as sources.

But this is not true. Anthony Burke, an IRS spokesperson, confirmed by email that there’s no fourth round of Economic Impact Payments planned.

The last round of these payments was part of the American Rescue Plan, a big stimulus package signed into law by President Joe Biden in 2021, as mentioned in an IRS press release from January 2022.

The IRS recently reminded people that they can still claim missing payments, but they need to file a tax return first. The money won’t just appear in their account, contrary to the social media claims.

The deadline to claim the 2020 and 2021 credits is May 17, 2024, and April 15, 2025, respectively, the IRS stated.

However, some states mentioned in the post will be giving out tax-related payments soon, but these are not federal stimulus checks.

For example:

  • Arizona sent rebate checks for the Families Tax Rebate program, which offers up to $750 for taxpayers with dependent children. This is not a stimulus check.
  • Michigan adjusted its Earned Income Tax Credit for 2022, resulting in checks for some taxpayers in early 2024. It’s not a stimulus or a rebate, but an expansion of the credit.
  • Virginia started giving a one-time tax rebate of up to $200 for individual filers and up to $400 for joint filers, from over $900 million in “excess tax revenues.” This is the second year Virginia is doing this.

Also, Florida, Texas, and Tennessee don’t have personal income tax, and there are no plans for rebates or stimulus funds in these states.