You’ve probably seen viral headlines claiming that the IRS is sending $1,390 direct deposits to Americans this October. With inflation eating into savings and families struggling to make ends meet, the idea of a surprise stimulus check sounds like good news — maybe too good.
Unfortunately, this $1,390 IRS payment is not real. The Internal Revenue Service has not announced, confirmed, or distributed any such payment. Instead, this rumor appears to blend older pandemic-era stimulus programs with unrelated state rebates and cost-of-living adjustments (COLA).
In this fact-checked report, we’ll explain:
- What the rumor says
- What the IRS and Treasury have officially confirmed
- The real financial relief programs available in 2025
- How to spot scams before they reach your bank account
“If a new payment program existed, taxpayers would see it first on IRS.gov, not on TikTok or Facebook,” said Rafael De Leon, IRS spokesperson.
Table of Contents
IRS $1,390 Direct Deposit – Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Authority Claimed | Internal Revenue Service (IRS) |
| Rumored Amount | $1,390 per person |
| Claimed Payment Date | October 2025 |
| Status | False / Not Confirmed |
| Official Source | IRS.gov/newsroom |
| Verified Relief Programs | Social Security COLA, State Tax Rebates, Energy Credits (LIHEAP) |
What the Rumor Claims?
According to social media posts and viral YouTube videos, the IRS will deposit $1,390 into bank accounts starting October 2025, targeting:
- Taxpayers with Adjusted Gross Income under $75,000 (single) or $150,000 (married)
- Social Security recipients and veterans
- Families with dependents
The posts even copy-paste eligibility charts from 2020–21 stimulus checks:
| Filing Status | Full Eligibility | Phase-Out Ends |
|---|---|---|
| Single Filer | ≤ $75,000 | $99,000 |
| Married Joint | ≤ $150,000 | $198,000 |
| Head of Household | ≤ $112,500 | $136,500 |
While it looks convincing, there’s no evidence that this program exists.
What the IRS Has Actually Said?
As of October 2025, the IRS confirms:
- There is no federal law authorizing a $1,390 payment.
- No press release or Treasury statement supports this rumor.
- IRS.gov lists no active stimulus or emergency payment programs.
“Any legitimate relief program would first appear in the IRS newsroom, with full legal documentation and congressional authorization,” said Danielle Klein, tax policy analyst at the Urban-Brookings Tax Center.
The IRS has repeatedly warned Americans to ignore viral claims that mimic official announcements. Fraudsters often use these to collect Social Security numbers, bank details, or “application fees.”
How Legitimate IRS Payments Work?
Whenever Congress authorizes stimulus payments or refunds, the IRS follows a strict, transparent process:
| Verification Step | What Happens |
|---|---|
| 1. Federal Law Passed | Legislation appears on Congress.gov or WhiteHouse.gov. |
| 2. IRS Press Release | The IRS Newsroom posts official details and FAQs. |
| 3. Eligibility Rules Defined | Clear income limits and payment structure announced. |
| 4. Tracking Portal Activated | IRS launches “Get My Payment” or similar tool. |
| 5. Media Confirmation | Verified outlets (AP, CNBC, Reuters) cover the story. |
Anything circulating before these steps — especially PDFs or “breaking news” graphics on Facebook — should be treated as false or misleading.
Real Relief Programs in 2025
Although there’s no $1,390 IRS check, several legitimate federal and state programs are delivering real support this year.
1. Social Security COLA 2025
- Increase: 3.2%
- Effective: January 2025
- Automatically raises benefits for retirees, SSDI, and SSI recipients.
- No action required — payments update automatically.
2. Child Tax Credit Expansion (Pending Congressional Review)
- Lawmakers are debating an enhanced refundable credit up to $3,600 per child.
- If passed by late 2025, it would apply to 2024 tax filings (paid in 2026).
3. State-Level Rebate Programs
| State | Program | Payment Range |
|---|---|---|
| California | Middle Class Tax Refund 2 | $250 – $1,050 |
| Colorado | TABOR Refund 2025 | Up to $1,130 |
| New York | Energy Rebate | $400 – $800 |
| Illinois | LIHEAP Energy Credit | Avg. $686 per household |
4. Energy & Housing Assistance
- LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) offers winter heating credits.
- HUD rent relief programs support low-income tenants.
- Apply via Benefits.gov.
Why the $1,390 Rumor Spread So Fast?
| Factor | Impact |
|---|---|
| Economic Anxiety | Rising grocery, rent, and healthcare costs make financial relief stories viral. |
| Election Year Politics | Campaign discussions blur the line between proposals and actual laws. |
| Social Media Algorithms | Posts tagged “IRS” or “stimulus” spread faster than fact-checks. |
| Scam Activity | Fraudsters exploit trending topics to steal identities or banking info. |
“Scammers know ‘IRS payment’ is an emotional trigger,” warns Dina Hughes, cybersecurity expert. “They prey on fear and financial stress.”
How to Avoid IRS Scams?
- Go directly to IRS.gov — never click links from social media or text messages.
- The IRS never sends texts, emails, or DMs about payments.
- Don’t share banking or SSN info with anyone claiming to “verify” eligibility.
- Report suspicious messages to phishing@irs.gov.
- Use two-factor authentication on your IRS and financial accounts.
If you suspect you’ve fallen for a scam, immediately contact your bank and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to freeze accounts and report identity theft.
The Bigger Picture: Relief vs. Reality
| Program Type | Authority | Active in 2025? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal $1,390 Stimulus | IRS / Congress | No | Internet rumor, no legal basis |
| Social Security COLA | SSA | Yes | Automatic 3.2% increase |
| VA Disability COLA | Dept. of Veterans Affairs | Yes | Matches SSA rate |
| State Rebates | State Governments | Ongoing | Verify with the local revenue office |
| LIHEAP Energy Credits | HHS | Yes | Applications open through 2026 |
Expert Insight
“The $1,390 payment rumor has zero legal foundation,” says Dr. Michael Lane, economist at the Brookings Institution.
“However, legitimate cost-of-living adjustments and state rebates are putting real money back into households — just not from a phantom IRS stimulus.”
Fact-Check Summary
| Claim | Truth | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| IRS issuing $1,390 payment in October 2025 | False | No legislation or IRS press release |
| Social Security benefits rising | True | 3.2% COLA confirmed by SSA |
| State rebates and tax credits are active | True | Ongoing across several states |
| IRS contacts by text/email | False | IRS only communicates by mail or official accounts |
| Fake websites are collecting data | True | Multiple scams reported by FTC |
FAQs
Q1. Is the $1,390 IRS payment confirmed?
Ans. No. The IRS has not announced any direct deposit or stimulus program for October 2025.
Q2. Why is everyone talking about it?
Ans. The rumor spread via social media, mixing old COVID stimulus graphics with new inflation news.
Q3. Are any real payments happening this fall?
Ans. Yes — Social Security, VA COLA adjustments, and some state rebates are being issued.
Q4. Can Congress approve a new payment later?
Ans. Possibly, but until legislation is passed and posted on IRS.gov, assume all claims are false.
Q5. How can I check legitimate updates?
Ans. Visit IRS.gov/newsroom and Treasury.gov.