Surprise Payout? What We Know About the Next Possible Stimulus Check

Hold up: before you start planning that shopping spree or paying down bills, let's get real about what's actually happening with stimulus checks right now.

The short answer? There's no new federal stimulus check coming in November 2025.

But here's what's got everyone talking, what already happened, and what might be on the horizon.

The Rumor Mill Is Working Overtime

Social media is buzzing about a supposed $1,390 "relief payment" from the IRS. It's fake news, Missouri.

No law passed. No IRS announcement. No checks in the mail. Fact-checkers have labeled this straight-up misinformation. If your Facebook feed is blowing up with this stuff, do your friends a favor and set the record straight.

The scammers are having a field day with this one. They're sending texts, emails, and social posts trying to trick people into clicking suspicious links or sharing personal info. Remember: the IRS doesn't slide into your DMs or send surprise texts about free money.

What Actually Went Down Earlier This Year

Here's what people might be confusing with "new" stimulus money: automatic recovery rebate credit payments that rolled out from December 2024 through January 2025.

These weren't fresh stimulus checks. They were catch-up payments for about 1 million folks who filed 2021 tax returns but somehow missed claiming their Recovery Rebate Credit. The IRS sent out a total of $2.4 billion, with individual payments maxing out at $1,400.

Missed it? Too late. The final deadline to claim this credit by filing a 2021 return was April 15, 2025.

The Only Real "Next Possible" Payment

President Trump floated a $2,000 "tariff dividend" proposal: targeting individuals and families making $100,000 or less. Sounds nice, right?

But it's just a proposal. No legislation. No congressional approval. No concrete timeline.

The math gets tricky too. Sending these checks would cost somewhere between $300-600 billion. Meanwhile, tariffs have only brought in about $309 billion through October 2025. Plus, the Supreme Court is currently deciding if certain tariffs are even legal: which could mess with the whole revenue stream.

For Missouri business owners, this uncertainty means one thing: don't bank on money that isn't guaranteed.

Missouri's Take on Federal Money

When federal payments do happen, Missouri typically sees them flow into local economies pretty quickly. Remember the 2021 stimulus rounds? Small businesses across the state: from Kansas City to Cape Girardeau: saw spending bumps as people used their payments for everything from car repairs to local restaurant meals.

But here's the thing: Missouri businesses can't sit around waiting for federal windfalls. The smart money is on building solid customer relationships and diversifying revenue streams.

Red Flags to Watch For

Scammers love stimulus confusion. Here's how to spot the fakes:

• Texts or calls claiming you need to "verify information" for payments

• Emails asking for bank details or Social Security numbers

• Social media posts with suspicious links promising "easy money"

• Anyone asking for upfront fees to "process" your stimulus

Real talk: The IRS communicates through official mail first, not random texts or emails.

What This Means for Local Business

Missouri business owners, here's your practical takeaway: stay plugged into reliable news sources instead of social media rumors.

False stimulus news creates spending expectations that might not materialize. Your customers might hold off on purchases thinking free money is coming, or worse: fall for scams that drain their actual spending power.

Consider setting up accounts with trusted news sources like the IRS website (irs.gov), local Missouri news outlets, and your accountant's updates. When real economic news breaks, you'll know first: not fifth-hand through Facebook.

Also worth noting: if you're running ads or marketing campaigns, avoid jumping on stimulus rumors. It damages credibility and might put you in hot water if the information turns out false (which it usually does).

The Real Money Moves

Instead of waiting for hypothetical government payments, Missouri businesses and residents might want to focus on actual opportunities:

For businesses: The business directory advertising landscape is heating up as we head into 2026. Getting visibility now, while others wait for "free money," could pay bigger dividends than any stimulus check.

For individuals: Tax season 2026 is coming. Make sure you're not missing credits or refunds you actually qualify for, rather than chasing fake stimulus rumors.

Bottom Line for Missouri

No surprise payouts are coming this month. The recovery rebate credits already happened. Trump's tariff dividend remains just a proposal.

Your move? Focus on what you can control. Build real income streams. Protect yourself from scams. And maybe help your neighbors spot the fake news before they fall for it.

The next real stimulus announcement: if it happens: will come through official channels with actual legislation and IRS press releases. Until then, keep your wallet closed to scammers and your expectations realistic.

This article was researched and compiled by the Amerishop Services content team.

Remember: dependable information beats desperate hoping every single time. Missouri deserves better than fake stimulus rumors and the scams that follow them.