Breaking News: Nationwide Updates
In contrast to rumors circulating, there is no current legislation in the U.S. Congress that authorizes the distribution of $1,390 stimulus checks to taxpayers this summer. This clarification comes from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and fact-checkers, who confirm that no such payments are planned unless Congress passes new legislation.
However, a proposed bill called the American Worker Rebate Act could potentially change this scenario. Introduced by Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) in 2025, this bill aims to send rebate checks funded by tariff revenue collected under the Trump administration. If passed, the proposal envisions payments of at least $600 per adult and dependent child, potentially more if tariff revenue exceeds projections.
Senator Hawley stated that Americans "deserve a tax rebate," and that his legislation would allow hard-working Americans to benefit from the wealth that tariffs are returning to the country, similar to President Trump's proposal. However, as of Friday, the American Worker Rebate Act has not been passed by either the Senate or the House.
It's important to note that the IRS cannot issue stimulus checks without Congressional legislation. During the COVID-19 pandemic, stimulus checks were made possible by three bills: the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act; the COVID-related Tax Relief Act; and the American Rescue Plan Act. The Treasury Department and its Bureau of the Fiscal Service distributed these payments.
In the past, the Economic Stimulus Act authorized stimulus checks in response to the Great Recession in 2008. The IRS announced earlier this year that it would distribute about $2.4 billion to taxpayers who failed to claim on their 2021 tax returns a Recovery Rebate Credit.
For taxpayers who qualify under the American Worker Rebate Act, taxpayers with an adjusted annual gross income above a certain amount - $75,000 for those filing individually - would receive a reduced rebate. This bill has not yet been approved by the Internal Revenue Service and the Treasury Department.
In conclusion, as of August 2025, taxpayers should not expect any $1,390 federal stimulus payments unless new law is enacted. The American Worker Rebate Act is a proposal for tariff-funded rebates, but it has not become law or authorized payments yet.
- The American Worker Rebate Act, proposed by Senator Josh Hawley, aims to send rebate checks to Americans if passed, but as of Friday, this legislation has not been passed by either the Senate or the House.
- If the American Worker Rebate Act is passed, it would potentially authorize rebate checks, with at least $600 per adult and dependent child, funded by tariff revenue collected under the Trump administration, but the payments have not yet been authorized by the Internal Revenue Service and the Treasury Department.
