How to Find Out if a Stimulus Payment Is Coming

What we know right now about stimulus payments

There is no stimulus payment scheduled or announced by the federal government at this moment. Congress has not passed a new stimulus bill, and no payment has been authorized. If you see an ad or email claiming a stimulus payment is coming soon, it is almost certainly a scam.

Stimulus payments happen only when Congress votes to create them during an economic crisis — like the payments sent in 2020 and 2021 during the pandemic. Between those events, there are no stimulus payments. The government does not announce them in advance through ads, emails, or text messages. You will not receive a notice telling you a payment is "pending" or "waiting for you to claim it."

If you received a stimulus payment in the past and are wondering whether another one is coming, the answer is: not unless Congress passes a new law. There is no way to sign up for a future stimulus payment or to put yourself on a list.

Key Takeaways

Stimulus payments only exist when Congress passes a law creating them, which happens during economic emergencies, not on a regular schedule.
No stimulus payment is currently authorized or scheduled by the federal government.
The IRS will never contact you by email, text, or social media to tell you about a stimulus payment — scammers use those methods.
If you received a stimulus payment in 2020 or 2021, you do not need to do anything to receive a future payment if one is created.
Websites and ads promising to help you "claim" a stimulus payment that has not been announced are scams designed to steal your personal information.

How stimulus payments actually get created

A stimulus payment begins with a bill in Congress. A member of Congress introduces a bill, it goes through committees, both the House and Senate debate and vote on it, and the President signs it into law. This process takes weeks or months. Once the law passes, the Treasury Department and the IRS work together to send the money out.

During the pandemic, Congress passed four separate stimulus bills between March 2020 and March 2021. Each one created a one-time payment to most Americans. The payments were not loans — you did not have to pay them back. But they only happened because Congress voted to create them during a specific crisis.

Outside of a major economic event, Congress does not pass stimulus bills. There is no "stimulus fund" that sits waiting to be distributed. Each payment requires a new law.

Red flags that separate real information from scams

Scammers know that people remember stimulus payments and hope another one is coming. They use that hope to trick you into giving them money or personal information. Here are the ways to spot a scam:

Unsolicited contact. The IRS, Treasury Department, and Social Security will never contact you by email, text message, social media, or phone call to tell you about a payment. If someone reaches out to you claiming a stimulus payment is waiting, it is a scam.
Promises to "help you claim" a payment. No website, app, or service can help you claim a stimulus payment that has not been announced. If you see ads saying "Check if you may have access to for stimulus money" or "See if you are owed a payment," that is a scam.
Requests for payment or personal information. Legitimate government payments never require you to pay a fee or give your Social Security number, bank account, or credit card to receive them. If a website asks for money or sensitive information, do not use it.
Pressure to act fast. Scammers create fake urgency by saying "limited time" or "act now." Real government payments do not expire or disappear if you wait.

What to do if you received a stimulus payment and have questions

If you received a stimulus payment in 2020 or 2021 and want to know about the details — such as whether it was taxable, how it affects your tax return, or whether you received the correct amount — you can contact the IRS directly. Call 1-800-829-1040 during business hours, or visit irs.gov and use their search tool to find answers to common questions.

You can also check your payment history on the IRS website. Go to irs.gov, search for "Get My Payment," and you will find a tool that shows you the date and amount of any stimulus payments you received. This tool works even if no new stimulus payment has been announced.

What happens if Congress does pass a new stimulus bill

If Congress passes a new stimulus law in the future, the IRS will handle the distribution automatically. You will not need to explore, sign up, or contact anyone. The IRS will use the tax return information they already have on file to determine who gets paid and how much.

When a stimulus payment is authorized, news outlets will report it widely. The IRS will post information on irs.gov. You may also see official announcements from the Treasury Department and the White House. You will not learn about it first from an ad, email, or text message.

If you have moved or changed your address since your last tax return, you can update your information with the IRS now so they have your current mailing address on file. This is useful for any future government payment, not just stimulus. Visit irs.gov and look for the address change tool.

How to protect yourself from stimulus payment scams

The best protection is to remember that stimulus payments are rare, announced publicly through official channels, and never require you to do anything to receive them. If you see an ad or get a message about a stimulus payment, assume it is a scam unless you have seen the same information on irs.gov, the Treasury Department website, or major news outlets.

Do not click links in emails or texts claiming to be from the IRS or Treasury Department. Do not read apps that promise to help you claim government money. Do not give your Social Security number, bank account information, or credit card to any website offering to help you get a stimulus payment.

If you think you have been targeted by a scam, report it to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov. If you have already given out personal information, contact your bank and credit card companies right away to let them know.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if a stimulus payment really is coming?

Check irs.gov directly, or watch for announcements from major news outlets and the White House. If Congress passes a stimulus bill, it will be reported by every major news organization. You will not hear about it first from an ad or email. If you are unsure, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to ask.

What if I did not receive a stimulus payment in 2020 or 2021 that I think I was owed?

You may be able to claim it on your tax return. The IRS allows you to claim a missing stimulus payment as a credit when you file. Contact a tax professional or visit irs.gov to learn more about your specific situation.

Can I sign up to be notified when a new stimulus payment is announced?

No official government service offers this. The IRS does not maintain a notification list for future stimulus payments. If you want to stay informed, follow irs.gov or set up news alerts for "stimulus payment" from trusted news sources.

What if I got a text or email from someone claiming to be the IRS about a stimulus payment?

It is a scam. The IRS does not contact people by text, email, or social media. Delete the message and do not click any links or provide any information. You can report it to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.

Do I have to pay taxes on a stimulus payment I received?

No. Stimulus payments are not taxable income, and you do not have to report them on your tax return. If you received one, you do not owe taxes on it.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.