$2,000 Stimulus Check Coming in February? IRS Sends Warning
Tax season is moving quickly leaving hundreds of millions of Americans wondering what their tax return - or tax payments - will look like in 2025.
The IRS previously said it expects to receive 164 million individual tax returns this year, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent saying he expects “gigantic” and “very large” returns for many Americans.
“The bill was passed in July, working Americans didn’t change their withholding, so they’re going to be getting very large refunds in the first quarter,” Bessent said. “So I think we’re going to see $100-$150 billion of refunds, which could be between $1,000, $2,000 per household. Then, they’ll change their withholding, and they’ll get a real increase in their wages.”
Will Americans Receive Stimulus Check Before Tax Season?
Rumors of a potential $2,000 stimulus check from the IRS have been bandied about for months now, but recent word from the United States government didn't offer a final decision on economic relief.
Speaking to NBC News on Feb. 4, President Donald Trump said, “I’m looking at it very seriously,” but clarified, “I haven’t made the commitment yet.” He also floated the idea that checks might land “toward the end of the year.”
In late 2024 the IRS announced a automatic payments of up to $1,400 for nearly one million taxpayers who did not claim the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit
“Looking at our internal data, we realized that one million taxpayers overlooked claiming this complex credit when they were actually eligible,” IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel said in a statement at the time. “To minimize headaches and get this money to eligible taxpayers, we’re making these payments automatic, meaning these people will not be required to go through the extensive process of filing an amended return to receive it.”
IRS Warns of Potential Scams
As searches for the sizable stimulus check reach an yearly high with the tax deadline right around the corner, the IRS's website warns against common scams.
"The IRS doesn’t make initial contact through email or social media channels," it said while warning against three common electronic scams.
- Sending phishing emails to taxpayers
- Posing as an IRS social media account to contact taxpayers about a fake bill or refund
- Texting taxpayers about fake "tax credits" or "stimulus payments"
"These messages will often direct taxpayers to click fraudulent links they claim are IRS websites or other online tools," the IRS said before noting it only sends text messages "with the taxpayer’s permission and only collects the taxpayer’s cell phone number or email address if they subscribe to receive messages from the agency."
If it needs to get in contact with a taxpayer, the IRS will first send a letter or notice and will follow-up with a phone call. However, the IRS warned it "doesn't leave pre-recorded, urgent or threatening messages. Scammers will falsely tell victims if they do not call back, a warrant will be issued for their arrest."