As whispers of a new IRS direct deposit relief payment spread across social media this fall, many taxpayers are left wondering if a 2025 stimulus check is really coming. The short answer? It's not. Officials from the Internal Revenue Service have repeatedly clarified that no federal relief payments or stimulus checks are scheduled for November 2025 or beyond. Those viral posts promising $1,390 or even $2,000 via direct deposit? They're likely scams designed to phish for personal info or spread misinformation.
The confusion stems from lingering memories of the COVID-era economic impact payments, the last of which had a claim deadline of April 15, 2025. All three rounds—totaling up to $1,400 per person in the final one—have been fully issued, and the IRS's Get My Payment tool is no longer active. Instead, what you might see hitting your account this month are standard tax refunds from 2024 filings. For those with direct deposit set up, the IRS processes these faster, often within 21 days of acceptance. In 2024, the average refund hovered around $2,800, but that's no "relief payment"—just your money back with possible interest if delayed.
Critics point out how these rumors exploit economic uncertainty, especially with inflation still biting. The IRS urges everyone to check irs.gov directly for updates and to report suspicious messages. No legitimate agency will ask for fees or upfront info to release funds.
With no new stimulus on deck, perhaps it's time to reflect on how everyday folks can better navigate these fiscal tightropes.
