As living costs continue rising across the United States, anything related to government payments spreads rapidly especially if it sounds like new financial help is arriving. That’s exactly what happened with the trending “IRS $1,390 Relief Deposit” rumor that took over social media in November 2025. Posts claiming that Americans would receive a $1,390 direct deposit from the IRS created confusion everywhere, even though no official announcement, no federal law, and no real IRS update ever confirmed such a payout. The rumor grew so fast that many people believed it was similar to the stimulus checks from the pandemic years. However, the truth is simple: the IRS has made it clear that no $1,390 payment program exists, and no such deposit is scheduled for 2025 or early 2026.
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How the $1,390 Rumor Started and Why It Looked Real
The misinformation began with misleading social media graphics that reused old IRS charts and edited screenshots from past Economic Impact Payments. Several pages posted them with bold claims like “Approved Relief Payment for November 2025,” making everything look official at first glance. The posts reached millions because they copied real features from previous stimulus programs, such as income limits and automatic direct deposits, giving the impression that this was simply a new round of financial relief. Many people didn’t question the posts because they remembered how suddenly the previous stimulus payments arrived. But unlike those times, there is no bill passed by Congress, no funding from the Treasury, and no IRS instruction that supports the idea of a $1,390 relief deposit of any kind.
Why People Thought They Were Eligible for the $1,390 Claim
One reason the rumor gained momentum is that it mentioned income brackets and eligibility terms Americans were already familiar with. Many posts listed old stimulus income limits and made it sound as if the IRS had revived a similar program for inflation relief. People believed these claims because the rules resembled genuine qualifications from former programs like the Earned Income Tax Credit or COVID-era Recovery Rebate Credits. In reality, no individual, regardless of income or benefit status, qualifies for this supposed $1,390 deposit. All actual financial support in 2025 has come from regular tax refunds, EITC adjustments, Child Tax Credit changes, and state-level rebate programs. None of these programs include or match the rumored $1,390 amount.
Fake Income Limits Shared in Viral Posts
Below is the table that many social media posts used to convince people that eligibility was real. However, these numbers do not belong to any current IRS program and were copied from old stimulus-era documentation.
False Income Limits Circulated Online
| Filing Status | Fake Income Limit Shared |
|---|---|
| Single | $75,000 |
| Married Filing Jointly | $150,000 |
| Head of Household | $112,500 |
These limits have nothing to do with 2025 IRS rules, yet their familiarity made many Americans assume the payment was legitimate.
Who Scammers Targeted the Most During This Rumor
While thousands of people saw the rumor, scammers specifically targeted groups already expecting updates on benefits, tax refunds, or payment adjustments. Seniors receiving Social Security or SSDI, disabled veterans, low-income families waiting for tax credits, and individuals who follow financial news pages were among the most vulnerable. Scammers used realistic-looking graphics and urgent headlines to grab attention, hoping people would click phishing links or share personal information. Although the rumor spread widely, it mainly served to attract victims to scam websites disguised as government portals.
What’s Actually Happening With Real IRS Payments in Late 2025
Despite the viral posts, there are no IRS $1,390 relief deposits scheduled for November or December 2025, and there is no upcoming payment of that amount for early 2026 either. What is real is far less dramatic: the IRS is still processing some remaining refunds from the 2024 tax season, updating taxpayers about the upcoming 2026 filing period, and coordinating regular Social Security cost-of-living adjustments. Several states are offering their own rebates, but these vary widely and do not match the $1,390 figure. If any legitimate nationwide IRS payment were approved, it would be announced only through official government platforms such as IRS.gov, Treasury.gov, or SSA.gov not through social media posts or edited graphics.
Simple Steps to Prepare Yourself for Real IRS Payments in 2026
Although the $1,390 rumor turned out to be false, it’s still a good reminder for taxpayers to stay prepared for real federal payments or refunds. Keeping information updated, filing pending tax returns, and monitoring official IRS alerts are essential steps that help avoid delays or falling into scams.
FAQs
Is the $1,390 IRS payment real?
No. The IRS has confirmed that no such payment exists.
Who is eligible for the $1,390 direct deposit?
No one. All online eligibility lists are fabricated.
Were Social Security users supposed to receive this payment?
No. They will only receive regular benefits and COLA increases.
Is any federal relief deposit coming soon?
Not at this time. Any future approved plan will appear only on IRS.gov.
Why do these types of rumors spread so fast?
People are financially stressed, and scammers take advantage by posting believable graphics.
