Rumors spread online Friday that the U.S. government will soon issue stimulus checks to taxpayers in certain income brackets.
Congress has not passed legislation to authorize such payments and, according to the Internal Revenue Service, no new stimulus checks will be distributed in coming weeks.
Here's a closer look at the facts.
Claim: The IRS and the Treasury Department approved $1,390 stimulus checks that will be distributed to low- and middle-income taxpayers by the end of the summer.
The facts: This is false. Taxpayers will not receive new stimulus checks this summer, an IRS official said. Stimulus checks, also known as economic impact payments, are authorized by Congress through legislation and distributed by the Treasury Department.
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Republican Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri last month introduced a bill that would send tax rebates to qualified taxpayers using revenue from tariffs instituted by President Donald Trump. Hawley's bill has not passed in the Senate or the House.
The IRS announced early this year that it would distribute about $2.4 billion to taxpayers who failed to claim on their 2021 tax returns a Recovery Rebate Credit — a refundable credit for individuals who did not receive one or more COVID-19 stimulus checks. The maximum amount was $1,400 per individual.
Those who hadn't already filed their 2021 tax return would have needed to file it by April 15 to claim the credit. The IRS official said there is no new credit that taxpayers can claim.
President Donald Trump's name is printed April 23, 2020, on a stimulus check issued by the IRS to help combat the adverse economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, in San Antonio.
Past stimulus checks were authorized through legislation passed by Congress. For example, payments during the COVID-19 pandemic were made by possible by three bills: the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act; the COVID-related Tax Relief Act and the American Rescue Plan Act.
In 2008, stimulus checks were authorized in response to the Great Recession through the Economic Stimulus Act.
The Treasury Department, which includes the IRS, distributed stimulus payments during the COVID-19 pandemic and the Great Recession. The Treasury's Bureau of the Fiscal Service, formed in 2012, also played a role during the pandemic.
Hawley in July introduced the American Worker Rebate Act, which would share tariff revenue with qualified Americans through tax rebates. The proposed rebates would amount to at minimum $600 per individual, with additional payments for qualifying children. Rebates could increase if tariff revenue is higher than expected. Taxpayers with an adjusted annual gross income above a certain amount — $75,000 for those filing individually — would receive a reduced rebate.
Neither the Senate nor the House passed the American Worker Rebate Act as of Friday. It was read twice by the Senate on July 28, the day it was introduced, and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Why most Americans consider going green in home upgrades: Their wallets
Why most Americans consider going green in home upgrades: Their wallets
For those concerned about the future of the environment, stats like this are inspiring: Nearly 60% of Americans say sustainability was a key consideration when they were researching home upgrades, according to the .
While it's encouraging to see people prioritizing sustainability, wanted to better understand why sustainability was important to those people. Where in their homes did they feel sustainability efforts could have the largest impact? And were they aware of governmental and rebate programs that could influence sustainability decisions?
In mid-January, AUX partnered with third-party survey platform Pollfish to ask 600 American adults those questions and more.Â
The survey found that most respondents' interest in sustainable home upgrades is driven by financial concerns.
This aligns with broader economic trends in the U.S., where persistent inflation and rising utility costs are reshaping consumer priorities. Over the past two years, energy prices have consistently ranked among the most significant financial burdens for American households.Â
Key findings:
- 58% of people say sustainability played either a very important or extremely important role in their decision-making process in regard to home upgrades.
- 51% said the primary reason for considering more sustainable options was to save money on energy bills—only 20% say it's with the goal of reducing environmental impact.
- 63% considered savings the main benefit of those .
- 50% say that upfront costs are what keeps them from making upgrades.
- 62% say they are unfamiliar with government or energy company rebates for sustainable home upgrades.
The Importance of Sustainability
Most survey respondents cited sustainability as a key component when considering home upgrades.
Economic Considerations Fuel Sustainability in Homes
More than half—51%—said their main concern when looking at sustainable options for home improvements was to save money on their energy bills. Less than half of that number, just 20%, said that reducing their home's environmental impact topped their list of concerns, and just 16% said improving their in-home air quality was their number one priority.
Upfront Costs Are the Biggest Barrier to More Sustainable HVAC Systems
Most Americans recognize that their heating and cooling system is the biggest energy drain in their home, and a key area where sustainable options can significantly reduce cost. However, the biggest barrier remains the upfront expense.
Over the past few years, the HVAC industry has faced consistent price increases, driven by a variety of economic factors. Rising costs of raw materials like copper, aluminum, and steel have put upward pressure on manufacturing expenses, which are then passed on to consumers. Additionally, broader supply-chain disruptions and labor shortages have further contributed to higher equipment and installation costs. These trends are reflected in price increases for both standard and high-efficiency systems, with average installations ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 depending on system type, home size, and complexity.
For homeowners interested in sustainable options, such as energy-efficient HVAC systems, these higher upfront costs can feel daunting despite the potential for long-term energy savings.
Costs That Make Sustainable HVAC Options Less Accessible
What most respondents said made sustainable HVAC options inaccessible wasn't a lack of knowledge of the technology or doubts about its ability to deliver on promised energy savings. It was the cost to purchase the equipment and the installation.
Depending on local policies, government rebate programs and energy incentives offer a powerful solution to offset those costs. However, there seems to be a gap in awareness: 62% of homeowners are either unfamiliar with or lack detailed knowledge about these programs.
Majority of People Are Committed to In-Home Sustainability
Even with the cost challenges associated with sustainable home upgrades, a significant majority of Americans remain committed to incorporating sustainability into their living spaces. According to the survey, 70% of respondents indicated they are either actively making changes in their home to make it more sustainable or are seriously considering such changes.
This commitment, despite financial hurdles, reflects a growing awareness of the benefits of sustainability beyond environmental considerations. While the primary driver for many is financial, there is also an increasing recognition of the added value sustainability brings to their homes. From increasing property value to improving indoor air quality, homeowners are weighing the multifaceted benefits of greener upgrades.
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