Many people have recently seen messages online claiming that the US government will soon give out a new federal payment of $1,390 as a tax refund. These posts say the money is meant for low- and middle-income taxpayers and will be issued before the end of summer.
The messages even suggest that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Department of the Treasury have already approved the payment. But how true is this? Let’s break down the facts.
What the Rumour Claims
According to the circulating posts, the supposed $1,390 benefit is linked to filing a 2024 tax return. It is also said that the income limits will be the same as earlier pandemic relief programs—$75,000 for single filers and $150,000 for joint filers.
The rumours even describe the payment methods, such as direct deposit, paper checks, or prepaid cards, just like the old stimulus checks.
Some versions also claim that Social Security beneficiaries, such as those on disability or retirement, will get this payment too. More worrying are the fake websites that ask people to pre-register or even pay a “verification fee” to confirm their bank details. This is a clear sign of a scam.
Mixing Facts With Misinformation
To make the rumour sound believable, some posts mix it with details of a real bill in Congress—the American Worker Rebate Act (S.2475). While this bill does discuss possible rebates funded by tariffs, it has not been passed into law. Linking it to an already active payment program is just a tactic to mislead the public.
The reality is simple: for such a payment to exist, Congress must pass a law and the President must sign it. As of now, that has not happened.
What the IRS Has Actually Said
The IRS has not made any official announcement about new federal payments of $1,390 or anything similar. Its official newsroom has no updates about a new program in 2025.
The only payments related to past stimulus programs were the Economic Impact Payments from 2020 and 2021. Any missing amounts from those could only be claimed through the Recovery Rebate Credit—but that was tied to earlier tax years, not new checks in 2025.
Closure of Old Programs
In December 2024, the IRS did announce a final chance for eligible people who had not claimed the Recovery Rebate Credit for 2021. These disbursements were completed by January 2025. That was the official closure of the program—not the start of a new one.
The Truth Behind the Rumour
The $1,390 payment being promoted online is nothing more than misinformation. While there is a real bill under discussion in Congress, it has not become law. Until that happens, no such payments will be issued.
It is very important to be cautious about links, websites, or people asking for registration fees or personal information. Scammers often use these fake announcements to trick people into sharing sensitive details.
The truth is clear: there is no $1,390 federal payment approved by the IRS or the US government in 2025. The rumours mix old programs, unapproved bills, and outright scams to mislead people.
Always check the official IRS website for updates instead of trusting social media posts or chain messages. Being alert and informed is the best protection against financial scams.
