In recent weeks, a wave of misleading social media posts has spread across the U.S., claiming that the IRS will issue a $1,390 direct deposit payment to taxpayers in October 2025. Many users have confused this rumor with past federal stimulus programs, but no such payment exists.
The IRS and U.S. Treasury have both confirmed that there are no new federal stimulus or direct deposit relief programs approved by Congress for 2025. The last round of economic impact payments ended in 2021, and any similar messages circulating now are false or misleading.
“Officials confirmed that these speculations are false, with no support from Congress or the IRS,” reported multiple fact-checking outlets. “The IRS has cleared the air over the $1,390 direct deposit rumors.”
Table of Contents
Introduction to the Rumored IRS $1,390 Direct Deposit
The rumor gained traction on TikTok, YouTube, and news blogs after references to past COVID-19 stimulus checks resurfaced. Between 2020 and 2021, the federal government issued three rounds of Economic Impact Payments, totaling over $814 billion across 476 million payments.
However, those programs were emergency measures under the CARES Act and American Rescue Plan — and they officially ended years ago. There are no new pandemic-related or inflation-relief stimulus checks from the IRS in 2025.
IRS $1,390 Direct Deposit Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Department | Internal Revenue Service (IRS) |
| Program Name | Rumored $1,390 Direct Deposit |
| Reality | False — No such payment authorized |
| Past Related Program | Economic Impact Payments (2020–2021) |
| Current Year (2025) Payment Status | No federal stimulus in effect |
| Official Website | www.irs.gov |
| Last Federal Payment Issued | Third Stimulus, April 2021 |
| Rumor Origin | Viral social media and blogs referencing old data |
Will You Receive a Fourth Stimulus Check?
The short answer is no — the IRS has not announced any new federal stimulus or direct deposit program for 2025.
The last official checks ($600 to $1,400) were issued during the pandemic to stabilize the economy. Those were one-time emergency measures, not recurring benefits.
According to IRS officials, “There are no ongoing or scheduled direct payments for October 2025. Any online claims suggesting otherwise should be treated as fraudulent.”
While the federal government has no new payment plan, several state-level programs like inflation relief rebates are real and currently active in states such as New York, Virginia, Colorado, and New Jersey.
Ongoing and Legitimate State Relief Programs
| State | Relief Program | Maximum Payment | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | Inflation Relief Payments | Up to $400 | Residents earning ≤ $150,000 (joint) |
| Virginia | Inflation Tax Rebate | Up to $400 | Filed 2024 taxes on time |
| Colorado | TABOR Refund | Up to $1,130 | Filed 2024 state tax return |
| New Jersey | ANCHOR Property Tax Relief | Up to $1,750 (homeowners 65+) | Based on income and property tax paid |
These programs are state-funded and not connected to any IRS federal payment.
Understanding Where the Rumor Came From
The viral posts about a “$1,390 direct deposit” imitate legitimate past IRS alerts about stimulus checks, using similar language and visuals. Many lead to fake websites or video clips that reuse 2021 content.
“Scammers often exploit public trust in agencies like the IRS,” says Kelly Parsons, a cybersecurity expert with the Federal Trade Commission. “They mimic legitimate messaging to trick people into giving up personal or banking information.”
Warning Signs of a Scam:
- Messages asking for bank details or SSNs to “claim” your payment
- Fake URLs resembling IRS.gov (e.g., irs-gov-refund.com)
- Claims that “only selected citizens” qualify for a special October payout
- Promises of “instant approval” for a nonexistent federal program
If you receive suspicious communication, do not click links or share personal data. Forward the message to phishing@irs.gov for investigation.
Possible Future Federal Aid Discussions
While there is no $1,390 check, there have been political discussions about new taxpayer rebate programs tied to federal revenue surpluses or tariff collections.
Former President Donald Trump suggested in February 2025 the idea of a “DOGE Dividend”, which would return savings from the Department of Government Efficiency back to taxpayers — potentially as a $5,000 rebate. However, this is only a proposal, not an active policy.
Other Active Relief Options in 2025
Even though there’s no fourth stimulus, Americans may still qualify for existing benefits, including:
- Federal Tax Refunds – File your 2024 return before April 15, 2025, to receive eligible refunds within 21 days (direct deposit) or 6–8 weeks (check).
- Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) – For working families with modest incomes.
- Child Tax Credit (CTC) – Up to $2,200 per qualifying child under the 2025 framework.
- State Relief Payments – Programs like ANCHOR (NJ) or TABOR (CO) still offer targeted relief to homeowners and taxpayers.
How to Check Your Legitimate IRS Refund?
The IRS continues to process 2024 refunds normally. Here’s how you can verify your status safely:
- Visit: https://www.irs.gov/refunds
- Use the “Where’s My Refund” tool.
- Enter your Social Security Number, filing status, and refund amount.
- The system updates once daily, usually overnight.
Typical Refund Timelines:
| Refund Method | Delivery Time |
|---|---|
| Direct Deposit | 21 days after filing |
| Paper Check | 6–8 weeks after filing |
| Recovery Rebate Credit | When the 2025 tax return is filed |
Expert Voices on the Issue
“The public should remain skeptical of viral finance posts unless confirmed by an official .gov source,” warns Sarah McIntyre, IRS spokesperson.
“With election season approaching, misinformation around government payments tends to spike,” said Dr. Michael Trent, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution.
“If there were a real stimulus check coming, the White House and Treasury would announce it publicly — not TikTok influencers,” noted David Kline, financial journalist for Business Today.
Why Verifying Information Matters?
False claims about federal payments can lead to identity theft, financial scams, and phishing attacks. By spreading verified information, taxpayers protect themselves and others from falling victim to fraud.
The IRS has reiterated that all legitimate updates are published only on IRS.gov or Treasury.gov, not on social media or unverified blogs.
FAQs
Q1. Is the IRS sending $1,390 checks in October 2025?
Ans. No. The IRS has confirmed that no such payment exists and no new federal stimulus checks are planned.
Q2. What was the last federal stimulus payment?
Ans. The last official payments were made in 2021 under the American Rescue Plan Act.
Q3. Are any states issuing checks right now?
Ans. Yes. States like New York, Virginia, Colorado, and New Jersey are providing limited inflation or tax relief payments, but they are not federal programs.
Q4. How do I check my real IRS refund status?
Ans. Use the “Where’s My Refund” tool on the IRS website for secure, real-time updates.
Q5. What should I do if I get a suspicious IRS message?
Ans. Ignore it, report it to phishing@irs.gov, and never share personal or banking information.