Viral social media posts have been stating a fourth round of stimulus checks will be sent to U.S. residents in 10 states today.
Residents in Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Michigan, New York, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia were told to expect incoming Economic Impact Payments (EIPs), according to the posts.
Direct payments have previously been made by the government to help boost spending during the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing lockdowns.
The first round in March 2020 involved $1,200 per income tax filer, $500 per child (CARES Act); the second in December 2020 included $600 per income tax filer, $600 per child (Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021); and the third round in March 2021 involved $1,400 per income tax filer, $1,400 per child (American Rescue Plan Act).
The Claim
Several Facebook posts say a fourth $2,000 stimulus check will be released on Thursday, November 30, 2023.
Messages posted on the platform claim a round of checks will be issued in Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Michigan, New York, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.
Other posts mention various state amounts between $150 and $3,824.
"If your account information is on file with the IRS, you will automatically get your money deposited into the account they have on file," many mimicked posts say.
"If you received a paper check for your tax refund this year, you will get your stimulus by mail."
The Facts
While a small number of states have continued to provide cash back to residents as tax rebates or inflation aid, the claim about stimulus checks is untrue.
As stated by the Internal Revenue Service, all first-, second- and third-round EIPs have been issued.
Those who missed stimulus payments may be eligible to Recovery Rebate Credit, depending on which payment was missed. The IRS recently issued a statement reminding that those who missed the payments can still claim the money.
"The deadlines to file a return and claim the 2020 and 2021 credits are May 17, 2024, and April 15, 2025, respectively," it said.
Unlike the claims on social media, the payments won't be sent automatically to bank accounts. Those who may be eligible will need to first file a tax return.
Two popular online petitions calling for a fourth round of $2,000 stimulus checks have amassed more than 170,000 and 3 million signatures, respectively, but have slowed in recent months.
Newsweek has reached out to an IRS spokesperson via email for comment.
Some of the states mentioned in the social media posts are sending out checks as part of other tax benefit plans but, again, some of these payments won't be automatic, they are not universal, and are not part of the federal stimulus package.
In Alabama, $150 will be sent out today for those who file their taxes alone and $300 for couples filing jointly. To get the payments, you had to have filed a state income tax return for 2021 on or before October 17, 2022.
Certain residents, including those who didn't file a return or are considered a dependent for another taxpayer in 2021, were not eligible for the tax rebates. Those who opted for direct deposit tax refunds will have the rebates go straight to their account, while others will get the money by check.
Altogether, the rebates cost Alabama $393 million, with the funds coming fully from a $2.8 billion surplus in the Education Trust Fund. Alabama opted to give its residents the money back as a way to offset grocery taxes paid throughout the year.
In Virginia, anyone with a tax liability in 2022 will get their money by November 30. A tax liability is any money owed to the state after deducting tax credits. Single filers are set to earn $200 in refunds, while joint taxpayers will see an extra $400.
Michigan is also providing a tax credit worth up to $2,080, depending on several factors—including your income, filing status, number of qualifying children, and/or if you are disabled.
The Ruling
False.
There are no further stimulus checks being issued this week, as stated by the IRS. While those who may have missed out on payments can apply for tax rebates, you need to file a tax return to receive them if you meet eligibility requirements as they are not automatic.
While some other states are issuing money for their own tax credit plans, these are not related to the federal stimulus package rolled out in the wake of COVID-19.
FACT CHECK BY Newsweek's Fact Check team
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
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