70% of government funding comes from you — But you might not see a penny of the $5,000 DOGE dividend

Washington D.C. – How would you feel about getting a big fat check simply for making a median amount of money? Allegedly, the folks at DOGE want to make that happen. An idea for a $5,000 refund check, dubbed the “DOGE Dividend,” has been floated to be paid to American taxpayers — but only those who pay more in taxes than they receive in credits. The idea, first dreamt up (literally) by investment manager James Fishback on X in February, has since received nods from both President Donald Trump and Elon Musk.

Fishback, who briefly worked with Vivek Ramaswamy on the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), says the concept came to him in a dream. The proposal is simple: take 20% of the savings generated by DOGE’s cost-cutting reforms and return it to taxpayers in the form of a rebate check.

Unlike previous stimulus checks, such as those issued during the COVID-19 pandemic, the DOGE dividend would be reserved for “net taxpayers” — households that pay more in federal taxes than they receive in credits or refunds. According to the Pew Research Center, most Americans earning under $40,000 annually wouldn’t qualify, since they tend to receive more in credits than they contribute in taxes.

Supporters say the plan offers targeted relief without risking further inflation. “These are households with a lower propensity to spend and a higher propensity to save or invest,” Fishback said. “That means less upward pressure on prices.”

But not everyone agrees. Aaron Razon, a budgeting expert at CouponSnake, warned the payments could still stoke inflation. “Even a one-time payout injects money into the economy. That drives demand and can cause supply chains to buckle,” he said. Joseph Camberato of National Business Capital echoed the concern: “We all saw what happened during COVID.”

Despite the skepticism, momentum is growing. At a recent rally in Wisconsin, Musk said it’s up to the president and Congress to determine whether checks will be issued. “If resources are not wasted, Americans are better off — whether that’s through lower inflation or a dividend,” he said.

Trump has yet to confirm whether the dividend will happen, but sources say a formal announcement could come later this year. Fishback, meanwhile, remains optimistic. “This is about restitution for hard-working Americans,” he said. “They deserve a piece of the efficiency they helped fund.”

For now, whether taxpayers can expect DOGE checks in the mail remains uncertain — but don’t hold your breath.