TL;DR : President Trump says Americans might get $1,000 to $2,000 rebate checks paid from tariff money. The plan is not approved yet. It’s just an idea for now, and Congress must agree before any money is sent.
🔹 What’s Proposed
- Rebate Plan:
- President Trump has proposed giving $1,000 to $2,000 rebate checks to U.S. taxpayers using revenue from trade tariffs.
- He mentioned the idea publicly on October 2, 2025, saying it's a way to return tariff money to the people.
- Hawley’s Bill:
- Senator Josh Hawley introduced the American Worker Rebate Act of 2025, suggesting $600 per adult and child, possibly up to $2,400 for a family of four.
- This bill is still under Congressional review and has not passed.
🔹 Additional Payment Ideas
- DOGE Dividend:
- Trump also floated a separate idea for a $5,000 “DOGE dividend” check, supposedly funded by savings from a proposed Department of Government Efficiency, but no details or official plans have been released.
🔹 Current Status and Warnings
- No Official Approval Yet:
- As of October 3, 2025, no rebate checks have been authorized or distributed.
- The IRS and Congress have confirmed there will be no fourth federal stimulus check in 2025.
- Scam Warnings:
- The IRS warns about scams and fake messages offering refunds or stimulus checks.
- Residents are advised to ignore unofficial sources and work only with IRS or trusted tax professionals.
🔹 Past Payments and State Aid
- COVID Stimulus Recap:
- Three federal stimulus checks were issued between 2020 and 2021.
- The final deadline to claim missed payments was April 15, 2025.
- State Payments (Not Federal):
- Some states (e.g., New York, Pennsylvania, Colorado) sent their own inflation relief checks, which are separate from federal rebates.