Every few months, social media seems to explode with new claims about “free money” or government checks being handed out. Lately, a new rumor has taken hold: that the IRS is sending out $1,390 tax refund checks to millions of Americans.
Videos, posts, and even memes are going viral, leading many to ask—is this for real? Let’s break down what’s going on, what’s true and what’s not, and how you can avoid getting fooled by online hype.
The Truth About the $1,390 IRS Refund Rumor
The rumor started spreading across platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and even WhatsApp during August 2025. Posts claimed that the IRS was offering new direct payments or mailed checks worth $1,390 to low- and middle-income taxpayers as part of a supposed government relief effort.
However, when we checked the facts on August 26, 2025, there was no official announcement, legislation, or credible source backing up this claim. Here’s what the research showed:
No new federal stimulus or relief payment has been approved by Congress in 2025.
The last authorized stimulus checks were in 2020 and 2021—$1,200, $600, and $1,400 respectively.
The IRS is currently only processing regular tax returns and helping taxpayers claim any unclaimed credits from previous years.
So, the short answer is: No, the IRS is not sending out $1,390 tax refunds.
Where Did the $1,390 Figure Come From?
The exact origin of the $1,390 figure is unclear. Some experts believe it may be a mix-up of old state aid programs or a fabricated number designed to gain clicks and shares online.
Many of these viral posts use official-looking IRS logos, bold headlines, and emotionally charged messages to make the information seem credible. But these are not official IRS communications and are often used to mislead users or spread scams.
According to several trusted sources like Fox News and The Washington Post, the $1,390 payment does not exist, and these stories have been debunked by multiple fact-checkers.
What the IRS Is Actually Doing in 2025
While there’s no new relief payment this year, the IRS is focusing on:
Processing 2024 tax returns
Helping people claim unclaimed tax credits from earlier years (like the Child Tax Credit or Earned Income Tax Credit)
Issuing alerts to protect taxpayers from phishing and refund scams
If you’re expecting a refund, the only way to receive it is by filing a proper tax return. There are no automatic “bonus” checks being mailed out right now.
How to Avoid Getting Fooled by Viral Payment Scams
With the internet full of misleading headlines, here are some simple ways to stay safe:
Always check irs.gov for any official news. This is the only trustworthy source for IRS updates.
Ignore viral posts on social media that don’t link back to official government pages.
Don’t share your personal information with any website or person claiming they can “get you a government check.”
Look for signs of scams, such as spelling errors, fake logos, or websites pretending to be government domains.
Be skeptical of promises of easy or free money—if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
The rumor about a $1,390 IRS tax refund check in 2025 is completely false. There is no such program, and the IRS has not issued any new stimulus payments. These viral posts are part of a broader pattern of online misinformation that often misuses government names to spread fake news.
