No direct deposit or check “relief” payments will be made for the rest of 2025, and it’s unlikely there will be any issued in 2026.
The persistent rumor that taxpayers will get a $1,390 “stimulus” check is false. This confusion often stems from past government aid discussions, whether related to inflation, tax rebates, or even those DOGE discounts. Scammers and clickbait campaigns have really taken advantage of this situation, misleading the public.
This summer, amidst a flurry of misinformation, the IRS cautioned on X about “stimulus check fraud,” noting that the “Recovery Rebate Credit has ended.”
The last “economic impact payments” were distributed in 2021, with the final claim deadline being April 15, 2025. Around 1 million checks were given to taxpayers who hadn’t initially requested them.
The IRS has thorough resources available. They maintain a list of scams and tax fraud schemes that taxpayers should be aware of.
However, even genuine remedies can sometimes raise eyebrows.
“The last stimulus checks were sent during a pandemic as gift cards to individuals without bank accounts on record for direct deposit, which, let’s be honest, looked like a scam,” remarked Crystal Stranger, a senior tax director at Optic Tax in Boulder, Colorado, in a discussion with Yahoo Finance.
Michael Cohn, an online editor for Accounting Today, pointed out that these false rumors have been repeatedly observed. “Tax-related myths and scams seem to surge consistently around tax season, though they can pop up anytime, especially across social media,” Cohn said. “People often speculate about tax refunds and stimulus checks during uncertain economic times.”
If anyone is curious about potential payments, they should consult the official IRS website for the latest details on available tax breaks and credits, and their relevant deadlines.
It’s worth noting that the IRS generally doesn’t contact taxpayers directly. They mainly use mail for communication, and any emails or texts will only occur with prior consent. Moreover, legitimate government payments don’t come with “processing fees,” which is something scammers might attempt to impose.
James Creech, a principal special tax advisor at Baker Tilly in San Francisco, expressed concern over the rise of fraudulent schemes. “These scammers are out of control,” he said. “In tough economic times, the allure of immediate payments—like $1,200 or $2,500—can be hard to resist, especially in emergencies. Yet, once you click on a shady link and share your bank info, you’re just giving them the means to rob you.”
Creech cautioned that the IRS won’t request bank details through unsolicited messages.
You may have come across some proposed relief programs, but none have actually been implemented.
- DOGE dividend: There was chatter about issuing $5,000 checks from government spending cuts, when President Trump called on Elon Musk to create the Department of Government Efficiency. But since then, no further announcements have surfaced.
- American worker rebate: Missouri Senator Josh Hawley has pushed for a bill to provide at least $600 to every adult and child in a household, but it remains pending with the Senate Finance Committee.
- Customs revenue rebate: President Trump suggested checks of $1,000 to $2,000 funded by tariff revenue, but this issue seems more long-term due to ongoing legal challenges regarding tariffs.
If federal relief payments aren’t in the pipeline, it might be best to check with your state’s tax office.
This year, New York state initiated a refund program for taxpayers who bore higher sales tax due to inflation. Residents who filed a 2023 state income tax return were eligible for a one-time check at the end of September, with no action needed on their part.
Even the New York Department of Taxation and Treasury has issued warnings on their website about scams linked to these relief funds.
Other states, including California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, and New Jersey, are exploring or have already launched various relief payment options for their residents.
