Clarifying Misinformation: IRS Not Issuing ‘Stimulus Checks’ in Some States Despite Online Claims

CLAIM: Residents in 10 states will receive a fourth round of stimulus funds on Nov. 30.

AP’S ASSESSMENT: False. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has confirmed that the federal government is not issuing another round of stimulus money. The last round was distributed nationwide almost two years ago during the peak of the coronavirus pandemic.

THE FACTS: A viral social media post is spreading misinformation about a “4th round” of “stimulus checks” set to be distributed at the end of the month in ten states: Alabama, Arizona, Maryland, New York, Virginia, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Tennessee, and Texas.

The post claims that eligible individuals will automatically receive the funds if their account information is on file with the IRS, and it specifies varying payment amounts ranging from $500 to $2,000 based on the state. However, the IRS has clarified that there is no authorized fourth round of Economic Impact Payments related to the pandemic.

Anthony Burke, an IRS spokesperson, confirmed that the most recent round of payments was part of the American Rescue Plan, a stimulus package signed into law by President Joe Biden in 2021. The IRS is reminding individuals who missed previous payments that they can still claim the money through the Recovery Rebate Credit by filing a tax return.

Contrary to the social media post, state-specific payments mentioned for Arizona, Michigan, and Virginia are not related to federal stimulus checks. For instance, Arizona issued rebate checks for the Families Tax Rebate program, Michigan adjusted the Earned Income Tax Credit, and Virginia initiated a one-time tax rebate with excess tax revenues.

Notably, Florida, Texas, and Tennessee, mentioned in the post, do not have personal income taxes, and their tax and revenue websites show no plans for rebates or stimulus funds.

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