IRS Relief Payments in 2025: What You Need to Know
There is no single IRS relief payment scheduled for 2025
The IRS is not sending out a one-time relief payment to all taxpayers in 2025. The last major federal stimulus payment—the Economic Impact Payment—ended in 2021. What exists now are targeted programs for specific situations: child tax credits, earned income tax credits, property tax deductions, and relief for people affected by specific disasters or tax errors.
If you have heard about an IRS payment coming in 2025, it is likely one of these: a tax refund you are owed, a monthly child tax credit advance (in some states), a property tax standard deduction, or a settlement payment related to a specific lawsuit or IRS error. Each has different rules and different timelines.
The confusion is understandable. Congress has not passed a new broad relief bill since 2021, and no such bill is currently scheduled for a vote. If that changes, news outlets and the IRS website will announce it widely. Until then, the payments that exist are the ones tied to your tax return, your income level, or your state of residence.
Key Takeaways
- The IRS is not sending a universal relief payment in 2025; the last broad stimulus ended in 2021.
- Tax refunds, child tax credits, and earned income credits are real payments you may receive, but they depend on your tax return and income, not on a new relief program.
- Some states offer property tax relief or credits that may show up on your state return or as a separate payment.
- If you received a notice from the IRS about a payment or settlement, check the sender's address and contact the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040 to confirm it is real.
Tax refunds and credits you may receive in 2025
If you file a tax return in 2025 for the 2024 tax year, you may receive a refund or a credit payment. A refund is money you overpaid in taxes during the year—the IRS sends it back to you. A credit is a reduction in the taxes you owe, and if the credit is larger than your tax bill, the IRS sends you the difference. Both are real money, but neither is a relief payment in the sense of a new government program.
The most common credits are the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), which goes to working people with low to moderate income, and the Child Tax Credit, which is $2,000 per child under 17 (the amount does not change year to year unless Congress votes to change it). If you have children or earned less than roughly $60,000 in 2024, you may be owed one or both. You claim them when you file your return, usually between January and April.
The IRS processes most refunds within 21 days of accepting your return if you file electronically and choose direct deposit. If you file by mail or request a check, it takes longer. You can check the status of your refund on the IRS website using the "Where's My Refund?" tool, or by calling 1-800-829-1040.
State-level property tax relief and credits
Several states offer property tax relief or credits that may look like a separate payment in 2025. These are not federal programs; they come from your state government. Examples include property tax deferrals for seniors, homestead exemptions, or one-time credits for renters or homeowners. The rules, amounts, and timing vary widely by state.
If you own a home or rent, check your state's tax department website or call your county assessor's office to learn what programs exist where you live. Some states mail checks; others reduce your property tax bill directly. A few states have sent out one-time relief payments to homeowners in recent years, but these are not annual and do not happen every year.
Scams claiming to be IRS relief payments
Scammers regularly send emails, texts, and letters claiming you are owed an IRS payment or that you need to "verify" your information to receive one. These are not real. The IRS does not initiate contact by email or text to tell you about a payment. It does not ask you to click a link or download an attachment. It does not ask for your Social Security number, bank account, or password in an unsolicited message.
If you receive a message claiming to be from the IRS about a payment, do not respond to it. Instead, go directly to the IRS website at irs.gov or call 1-800-829-1040 to ask whether you are owed anything. You can also report the scam to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) at tigta.gov.
Real IRS notices arrive by mail, not email or text. They have an official IRS letterhead, a notice number, and a specific reason for the contact. If you are unsure whether a notice is real, call the IRS directly using the phone number on your tax return or on irs.gov—not the number in the suspicious message.
Disaster relief and settlement payments
If you were affected by a major disaster—a hurricane, wildfire, flood, or other federally declared event—you may be owed relief through FEMA or the IRS. Disaster relief is not automatic; you have to report the damage and file a claim. The timeline and process depend on which disaster and which agency is handling it.
The IRS also sends settlement payments to people affected by specific errors or lawsuits. For example, if the IRS wrongly assessed a penalty or if you were part of a class action settlement, you may receive a check. These payments are announced through official channels and are tied to your specific case, not to a broad program.
To find out whether you are owed disaster relief, contact your state's emergency management agency or FEMA at 1-800-621-3362. To check on a settlement, search the IRS website for "settlement" or contact the law firm handling the case if you have paperwork about it.
How to find out what you are actually owed
Start by checking the IRS website at irs.gov. Use the "Where's My Refund?" tool if you filed a return. Look for a section on credits and deductions to see whether you might be owed an EITC or child tax credit. If you own property, check your state tax department's website for property tax relief programs.
If you received a notice in the mail from the IRS or your state, read it carefully. It will say exactly what it is about and what you need to do. If you did not receive a notice but think you might be owed something, file your tax return or contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. Have your Social Security number, filing status, and last year's return handy.
Do not trust unsolicited emails, texts, or calls claiming you are owed money. Do not click links in those messages. Do not give your information to anyone who contacts you first. Always initiate contact yourself by going to the official website or calling the official number.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the IRS sending out money in 2025?
The IRS sends refunds and credit payments to people who file tax returns, but there is no new universal relief payment program in 2025. If you are owed a refund or credit, you will receive it when you file your return or when the IRS processes a return you already filed. Refunds typically arrive within 21 days of e-filing.
How do I know if I am owed a child tax credit or earned income credit?
You claim these credits when you file your tax return. If you have children under 17 or earned less than roughly $60,000 in 2024, you likely may have access to for one or both. Use the IRS's online tools or work with a tax preparer to find out the exact amount. You do not have to do anything special to "get" the credit—filing your return is how you claim it.
What if I got a text or email saying I am owed an IRS payment?
That message is a scam. The IRS does not contact people by email or text about payments. Delete the message and do not click any links. If you want to check whether you are actually owed anything, go to irs.gov or call 1-800-829-1040 yourself.
Can I get a relief payment if I was affected by a disaster?
You may be owed disaster relief, but you have to report it. Contact FEMA at 1-800-621-3362 or your state's emergency management agency. They will tell you what programs are available and how to file a claim. Relief is not automatic.
Where can I check the status of a refund I am expecting?
Use the IRS's "Where's My Refund?" tool on irs.gov, or call 1-800-829-1040. You will need your Social Security number, filing status, and the refund amount. Most refunds arrive within 21 days of e-filing if you chose direct deposit.