Internet and their social media platforms are a “Petri dish” for spreading viral rumors, especially those related to money. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is one of the most targeted by this type of news, which is sometimes true and sometimes false. In recent weeks, viral claims have circulated concerning the alleged distribution of $1,390 tax refund checks by the IRS.
When we came across all these viral rumors, we decided to do a little research to determine how true these alleged tax refunds are and how much of them are hoaxes. Here’s what we found, and at the end, we offer some tips to help you avoid falling into the traps of viral rumors.
Is a $1,390 IRS tax refund on the way?
These reports, widely propagated on various digital platforms during the summer of 2025, suggest the existence of a new economic relief program targeting low- and middle-income taxpayers. The narrative describes these payments as direct deposits or mailings. The date of reference for verification of these facts is August 26, 2025, when we elaborated this article.
The situation analysis indicates that there is no recent legislation passed by the United States Congress authorizing a fourth round of economic impact payments. The last stimulus authorized by law was distributed in 2021. IRS operations for the current fiscal year are focused on administering regular tax credits and processing tax returns, not on issuing new non-refundable direct payments.
The IRS Taxpayer Service has reiterated in previous communications that all payments authorized under prior laws have been completed. Current efforts are focused on notifying taxpayers about the possibility of claiming outstanding credits from prior tax years, a process that requires filing a tax return and does not constitute an automatic payment.
Where does this viral information targeting the IRS come from?
Research into the origin of these rumors points to their emergence in mid-August 2025. Dissemination occurred predominantly through social media algorithms such as Instagram and Facebook, where posts and memes garnered high engagement. Some of these posts used official logos or sensationalist headlines to confer an appearance of legitimacy.
The specification of the $1,390 amount is unusual. It does not correspond to previous stimulus amounts, which were $1,200, $600, and $1,400. Some analyses suggest that the figure could be a distortion or a combination of amounts from already-ended state aid programs, erroneously reinterpreted in the federal context. The precise origin of the number remains undetermined.
Media outlets and fact-checking organizations have investigated the claims. Their findings are unanimous in classifying the information as false. For example, a Fox News report noted that “the $1,390 checks are not in the works, despite viral rumors.” The Washington Post confirmed that no new stimulus checks will be issued, calling the rumors unfounded.
How to avoid falling into viral rumors about “easy money”
The IRS’s official position is also very clear: its website and press releases contain no announcement of a new direct payment program for 2025. A search in the “Economic Impact Payments” section leads to historical information on the 2020 and 2021 programs, with an emphasis on the fact that those programs are closed. Furthermore, the agency has previously issued alerts warning of scams involving fake payments.
We recommend that you always visit sites that offer verification of any information related to government payments exclusively through the official irs.gov domain.
Reliance on social media or websites not affiliated with the government increases the risk of falling victim to social engineering or phishing scams. Also, as a general rule, maintain a healthy skepticism toward any promise of easy or quick money.
