Claims circulating online about an upcoming $1,390 IRS direct deposit relief payment in December 2025 are false, according to federal officials and tax experts. The misinformation has spread widely across social media platforms, triggering concerns about potential scams targeting vulnerable Americans.
The purported stimulus payment — which some posts claim will help low and middle-income households combat inflation — has not been authorized by Congress or announced by the Internal Revenue Service. A Fox 5 DC investigation confirmed “no new stimulus checks are approved, and the IRS has not confirmed December payments.”
Debunking the Myth
The last round of economic impact payments was distributed in 2021, with the final opportunity to claim the $1,400 Recovery Rebate Credit expiring on April 15, 2025. During 2024, the IRS sent automatic payments to eligible taxpayers who hadn’t claimed this credit on their 2021 returns, but no new stimulus program has been authorized since then.
So where did this rumor come from? The misinformation appears to have originated from questionable websites. One such site claimed that “the Internal Revenue Service is planning a one thousand three hundred and ninety-one dollar direct deposit in December 2025” as federal relief for inflation-hit households.
What’s actually happening at the IRS? The agency announced it will phase out paper tax refund checks beginning September 30, 2025, as required by Executive Order 14247. This legitimate policy change — which requires taxpayers to provide direct deposit information when filing their 2025 returns — may have been twisted into the false stimulus narrative.
Tariff Dividends: A Different Proposal
Adding to the confusion is President Trump’s recent proposal for $2,000 “tariff dividend” checks for middle and low-income Americans. During a December 2 cabinet meeting, Trump suggested that tariff revenue could fund payments to citizens.
“Next year is projected to be the largest tax refund season ever, and we’re going to be giving back refunds out of the tariffs,” he said. “We’re going to be giving a nice dividend to the people in addition to reducing debt.”
But even this proposal faces significant skepticism. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated he hadn’t discussed the dividend with Trump and suggested it might take the form of tax cuts rather than direct payments.
“The numbers just don’t check out,” said Erica York, vice president of federal tax policy at the nonpartisan Tax Foundation, according to the Associated Press report.
Beware of Scams
Could these rumors be setting the stage for fraud? The IRS has explicitly warned taxpayers about fake stimulus payment messages designed to steal personal information. Similar scams involving fabricated $1,702 payments have circulated previously.
The agency reminds Americans that legitimate IRS communication begins with official letters or notices — never through email, texts, or social media. Paper checks are over 16 times more likely to be lost, stolen, altered, or delayed than electronic payments, which is partly why the IRS is transitioning to electronic refunds.
For taxpayers expecting legitimate refunds in 2025, electronic filing with direct deposit information will result in the fastest processing — typically less than 21 days if there are no issues with the return. Those without direct deposit information may face delays exceeding six weeks.
The Bottom Line
Is a $1,390 direct deposit coming from the IRS in December 2025? No. While the Trump administration has floated the idea of tariff-funded payments, no specific legislation has been passed, and the IRS has made no announcements regarding new stimulus funds.
Americans seeking accurate information about tax refunds and potential relief programs should consult official government websites and be wary of unsolicited communications promising “free money.” In today’s digital landscape, if a government payment sounds too good to be true, it probably warrants a healthy dose of skepticism.
