Shoppers stepped up their spending in May, surpassing economists' expectations, as temperatures warmed and gasoline prices leveled off. Retail sales rose 0.9%, up from a revised 0.4% gain in April, according to new Commerce Department data released Wednesday. Sales got a boost from generous government tax refunds in both April and May, though economists say that cushion is starting to fade. Excluding sales at gas stations, retail sales in May rose 0.7%. Spending was broad-based. Business at miscellaneous stores, clothing and accessories stores and home furnishing and furniture stores all posted increases. Online sales rose 1.5%.

The tax filing deadline for most Americans is Wednesday, and President Donald Trump's administration is highlighting the impacts of Republicans' massive tax and spending law. The law eliminates taxes on tips and overtime for millions of people, exempts interest on certain car loans and gives new deductions to some seniors. The administration says more than 53 million filers claimed deductions under these provisions, as of Tuesday. Despite these changes, polling finds that most Americans still think their taxes are too high. Democrats say Americans are reeling from the high cost of living as Trump focuses his attention on the Iran war.

Rumors spreading on social media claim the U.S. government will soon be issuing stimulus checks to taxpayers in certain income brackets. But for now it's only wishful thinking. Congress has not passed legislation to authorize such payments. And the IRS says no new stimulus checks will be distributed in the coming weeks. 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 the Senate or the House.