Stimulus Checks Feb 2026, Trump Comments on Potential Relief as IRS Warns of Scams

President Trump has said he is “looking at it very seriously” when asked about a proposed $2,000 tariff-funded payment to Americans, but has not made a firm commitment. As of February 18, 2026, Congress has not approved any new federal stimulus checks, and the IRS has not announced any upcoming payments — while actively warning the public about an increase in stimulus-related scams.

What Happened

Three separate but connected developments have generated significant public interest in stimulus checks in early 2026.

Trump’s public comments: On February 4, 2026, NBC News reporter Tom Llamas asked President Trump directly about the status of the proposed $2,000 payment. Trump responded that he is “looking at it very seriously” and added, “I haven’t made my commitment yet, but I may make my commitment.” In a separate interview with The New York Times, Trump moved his earlier timeline back, saying Americans could expect these checks “toward the end of the year” — if they are issued at all. Trump had first floated the idea on Truth Social in November 2025, describing it as a “tariff dividend” for “everyone,” excluding high-income earners.

At a December 2, 2025 cabinet meeting, Trump said the U.S. is collecting what he described as “trillions of dollars” from tariffs and indicated that money would be returned to Americans in the form of dividend-style refund checks. He predicted 2026 could be “the largest tax refund season ever.” No formal policy plan, timeline, or legislative proposal has followed from those statements.

No Congressional action: According to multiple verified reports from the Associated Press and the IRS, Congress has not authorized new stimulus payments. Any new federal stimulus checks would require Congress to pass fresh legislation. No such legislation has been introduced or voted on as of this writing.

IRS scam warnings: The IRS has issued warnings advising taxpayers to treat any unsolicited message about a stimulus payment with caution. The agency confirmed it has not released any official statement about new stimulus checks, and that messages received by text or email claiming to offer stimulus payments are likely scams.

Who Is Affected

All U.S. taxpayers are potential targets of stimulus-related scam messages, according to the IRS. The agency notes that seniors, low-income households, and individuals who rely heavily on digital communication are among the most frequently targeted groups.

General public following Trump’s tariff dividend comments: No eligibility criteria have been established. Trump’s original November 2025 Truth Social post stated payments would go to “everyone” but would exclude “high income people.” No official income thresholds, distribution mechanism, or program structure has been defined by any government agency.

Some online claims circulating in early 2026 reference specific dollar amounts including $1,702 and $1,390 — these figures are not associated with any federal program. According to Fox 5 DC and other verified sources, these numbers typically trace back to state-level programs such as Alaska’s Permanent Fund Dividend, or to outright scam schemes.

Official Statements

From President Trump (verified public statements):

• November 2025, Truth Social: Trump said a “tariff dividend” would be paid out to “everyone,” excluding “high income people,” with payments expected “probably in the middle of next year (2026).”
• December 2, 2025, cabinet meeting: Trump stated the U.S. was collecting significant tariff revenue that would be returned to Americans as dividend-style checks.
• February 4, 2026, NBC News interview (with reporter Tom Llamas): Trump said, “I’m looking at it very seriously. I haven’t made my commitment yet, but I may make my commitment.” He also indicated in a New York Times interview that payments could come “toward the end of the year.”

From the IRS (verified official guidance):

According to the IRS, the agency has not announced any new stimulus payments. The IRS has confirmed that all three rounds of Economic Impact Payments (2020–2021) have been fully issued. The agency’s official guidance, available at irs.gov/newsroom/tax-scams-consumer-alerts, states that it does not initiate contact with taxpayers through email, text messages, or social media about stimulus payments or tax matters.

The IRS has also confirmed that the “Get My Payment” tracking tool has been retired. The agency states it “has issued all first, second and third Economic Impact Payments” and that taxpayers “can no longer use the Get My Payment application to check” on their payment status.

From Congress: No legislation proposing a new stimulus or tariff dividend payment has been introduced or passed as of February 18, 2026, according to verified Congressional records.

What Is Not Yet Known

The following details have not been confirmed by any government agency or official source as of the publication date of this article:

• Whether the Trump administration will formally propose or pursue a tariff dividend payment
• Whether any such proposal would require Congressional approval or could be enacted through executive action, and how courts would view either approach
• The specific eligibility criteria for any potential payment — including income limits, payment amounts, and distribution methods
• Any firm timeline for when a decision would be made
• The constitutionality of using tariff revenues for direct payments to Americans — the Supreme Court had not issued a ruling on related tariff questions as of mid-February 2026

No government agency has provided a definitive answer on when or whether any further statement is expected on this topic.

Public Safety Information — IRS Scam Warnings

The IRS urges all taxpayers to follow these guidelines to protect themselves from stimulus-related fraud:

How the IRS will contact you:

• The IRS always initiates contact with an official letter or notice delivered by U.S. mail
• The agency may send texts or emails only if you have previously granted permission
• IRS agents may call after sending a written notice, but they will not leave threatening or pre-recorded voicemail messages

Red flags — do not respond if a message:

• Arrives by unsolicited text or email claiming you are eligible for a stimulus check
• Directs you to a website other than IRS.gov
• Requests personal information, banking details, or a Social Security number
• Demands payment of any fee to receive a government check
• Requests payment by gift card, cryptocurrency, wire transfer, or prepaid debit card
• Claims your benefit will “expire” if you don’t act immediately

If you receive a suspicious message:

• Do not click any links
• Do not provide personal or financial information
• Report phishing attempts to the IRS directly at irs.gov/privacy-disclosure/report-phishing-and-online-scams
• You can also report fraud to the Better Business Bureau’s Scam Tracker at bbb.org/scamtracker
• For questions about your actual tax status, log in to your IRS Online Account at irs.gov

Verify any payment claim: Any legitimate government notice can be verified through a secure IRS Online Account or by calling IRS customer service directly. Do not use phone numbers provided in unsolicited messages — look up the IRS contact number independently at IRS.gov.

Timeline of Key Developments

November 2025 (exact date not confirmed) Trump posts on Truth Social that a tariff dividend would be paid to all Americans, excluding high-income earners, with payments expected “in the middle of next year (2026).”

December 2, 2025 Trump discusses tariff dividend checks at a cabinet meeting, saying tariff revenue would be returned to Americans. He does not announce a formal plan or timeline.

December 2024 – January 2025 The IRS issues automatic payments of up to $1,400 to approximately 1 million taxpayers who had not claimed the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit on their tax returns. This is the most recent federal payment of this type. The April 15, 2025 deadline to retroactively claim the credit has since passed.

Early 2026 Reports emerge of consumers receiving unsolicited text messages claiming to offer stimulus payments. The IRS confirms these are scams and reissues guidance on how to identify fraudulent communications.

February 4, 2026 In a verified interview with NBC News, Trump states he is “looking at it very seriously” but has not made a commitment on a $2,000 tariff dividend payment.

February 18, 2026 (current) The IRS has not issued any announcement about new stimulus payments. Congress has not passed related legislation. No payment plan, eligibility criteria, or distribution timeline has been established by any government agency.

Last Updated: February 18, 2026 

This is a developing story. This article will be updated as verified statements from the IRS, Treasury Department, or other official government sources are released.

Disclaimer: This article is based on information released by authorities and reputable sources at the time of publication. Details may change as investigations continue.

About the Author

Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
Her writing blends real legal insight with plain-English explanations, helping readers stay informed and legally aware.
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