The possibility of $5,000 DOGE stimulus checks has emerged, proposed by former President Trump as a way to distribute savings from his administration’s federal spending cuts. Currently, no specific details have been provided. Meanwhile, deadlines for claiming past stimulus checks have passed, with the last one, a $1,400 Recovery Rebate Credit, due by April 15, 2025. For tax refunds, taxpayers can expect electronic refunds within 21 days if they filed online with banking details, while paper checks may take 6-8 weeks. The IRS offers a tool to track refund statuses, and contact options are available for inquiries.
Could $5,000 DOGE stimulus checks become a reality? Here’s what we know.
While discussions around $5,000 stimulus checks from the Trump administration focused on cutting federal spending, will this actually materialize?
Have you filed your Pennsylvania or Federal taxes and are left wondering about your refund or how to track it? Or perhaps you have questions about an unclaimed stimulus and want to know if it’s too late to claim it? Here’s what you need to know.
The window to file or claim the first stimulus payment (issued in March and April 2020), the second stimulus check (issued by Jan. 15, 2021), or the third stimulus check (issued between March and December 2021) has now closed.
The deadline to claim the third and final stimulus check was April 15, 2025, which established a three-year period for claiming any tax refunds or, in this instance, the $1,400 Recovery Rebate Credit for the year 2021.
Even if you were granted a tax extension, you still needed to submit your 2021 tax return by the April 15, 2025 deadline to qualify for that third stimulus check. There are no extensions or appeals for missed deadlines, and any unclaimed stimulus payments become the property of the U.S. Treasury.
In February, former President Donald Trump indicated he would consider a plan to provide $5,000 stimulus checks to taxpayers as a ‘DOGE dividend’ during a summit in Miami. He elaborated that this would be drawn from 20% of the savings identified by Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and returned to taxpayers. However, he has not provided any additional details or clarity regarding the potential ‘DOGE dividend’ since then.
Here’s what you need to know about tracking your tax refund and when to expect it.
When can I expect my tax refund?
If you electronically filed your federal taxes and provided your banking details, you can anticipate a direct deposit within 21 days. If you did not include banking information, expect a paper check refund via mail within 6-8 weeks.
Keep in mind that submitting your return does not mean it has been accepted by the IRS. Once accepted — indicated by a “Refund Sent” alert when you check your tax return status online — you shouldn’t have to wait long for the funds to appear in your account.
Once the IRS confirms your refund, it could be deposited into your bank account within days through direct deposit.
How do I check my federal refund status?
The IRS offers an online tool called “Where’s My Refund,” which allows you to track your refund status; click here.
You can start checking your refund status within 24 hours of electronically filing your return. Refund information updates on the IRS website once daily, overnight.
The online tool requires your Social Security number, filing status, and exact refund amount from your return. It will then provide a response indicating if your return is received (processing), refund approved (preparing to issue refund by date shown), or refund sent (sent to your bank or in the mail).
Once it indicates that the IRS has approved your refund, it could be in your bank account within days with the direct deposit option.
Alternatively, you can check the status by calling the IRS at 800-829-1954.
What is the IRS refund schedule for 2025?
If your taxes were electronically filed and accepted by April 15, it is estimated that you can expect a direct deposit federal refund from the IRS by May 6 or a mailed refund by June 16.
How can I check my state refund status?
To check on the Pennsylvania online portal for state tax refunds, click here.
Maria Francis is a journalist based in Pennsylvania with the Mid-Atlantic Connect Team.