As tax season unfolds in the United States, many Americans are wondering if another stimulus check is on the way.
As of February 16, 2026, he had not received approval from Congress or the Internal Revenue Service for a fourth stimulus payment. The three previous checks were issued during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the deadline for claiming the third payment expiring on April 15, 2025.
This deadline has now passed and no further claims can be made for earlier incentive checks. Any online claims to the contrary should be treated with caution as they may be misleading or fraudulent.
The $2,000 “tariff dividend” remains uncertain
A separate proposal — a $2,000 “tariff dividend” — was floated by President Donald Trump, who said moderate-income Americans could receive payments in 2026.
However, there is currently no formal legislative proposal. The potential payments depend on an upcoming decision by the United States Supreme Court on the legality of the tariffs that would fund the dividend.
The court’s decision could determine whether the tariffs are maintained, partially lifted or fully lifted — and whether importers receive compensation. Until that decision is made and Congress acts, the proposed payments remain speculative.
IRS Refund Changes for 2026
With stimulus checks off the table for now, the focus has shifted to tax refunds.
The IRS began accepting electronically filed returns for fiscal year 2025 on January 26, 2026. Taxpayers who file electronically and provide bank information can usually expect a refund within 21 days of receiving their return.
It is important to note that filing a return does not mean it has been accepted. The IRS must formally accept and process the return before issuing any refund.
Direct deposit now standard
The IRS implemented a significant procedural change this year: refunds are paid primarily by direct deposit. Taxpayers who provide bank information can expect faster processing.
Those who do not provide their direct deposit details may still receive paper checks, but they may take six to eight weeks to arrive in the mail.
Delay of certain tax credits
Not all refunds occur on the same timeline. Refunds eligible for credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Child Tax Credit (CTC) may experience delays.
The IRS must complete additional verification steps for these credits, often pushing return dates into March.
How to track your refund
For taxpayers anxiously waiting for their refunds, the IRS offers an online tracking tool called “Where’s My Refund?”
The portal allows users to check their status 24 hours after electronic submission. It is updated once a day and requires a social security number, filing status and exact refund amount. Once the status shows “Refund Sent”, the payment is on its way.