The $1,390 payment is not a regular tax refund or stimulus check
The $1,390 amount appearing in IRS direct deposit notifications is typically a partial or advance payment on a tax refund, not a standalone benefit or grant. It most often shows up when the IRS processes your return in stages — for example, releasing part of your refund while it verifies other parts, or sending an advance on a refund that includes a tax credit you claimed.
This is not money you applied for separately. It arrives because you filed a tax return (or the IRS filed one on your behalf based on income records), and the IRS determined you were owed money. The $1,390 is what they sent in that particular deposit.
The amount itself varies by person. It depends on your actual tax situation — your income, deductions, credits claimed, and what you already paid in taxes during the year. You will not see this exact amount twice, and it is not a recurring payment.
Key Takeaways
- The $1,390 is part of your tax refund or a payment related to a tax credit, sent by direct deposit to the bank account you provided on your return.
- This amount is specific to your tax situation and will not repeat in future years unless your circumstances and tax liability are identical.
- If you did not file a return but received this deposit, check your IRS account online or call the IRS to confirm what it covers.
- The IRS may send refunds in multiple deposits if it is processing your return in stages or verifying information before releasing the full amount.
Why the IRS sends refunds in stages
When you file a tax return, the IRS does not always send your entire refund in one deposit. It may hold back part of the money to verify information — especially if you claimed certain credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Child Tax Credit, which require extra review.
The $1,390 you received is the portion the IRS released first. The rest may follow in a separate deposit weeks or months later, depending on how long verification takes. You can track the status of your full refund using the IRS "Where's My Refund?" tool on IRS.gov, which shows both deposits already sent and any still pending.
In some cases, the IRS also sends an advance payment on a refund if it expects to owe you more money but needs time to process the full amount. This is less common but does happen when returns are complex or when the IRS is processing a high volume of returns.
How to confirm what the $1,390 covers
The deposit itself will not tell you whether it is a partial refund, an advance, or payment on a specific credit. To find out, log into your IRS account at IRS.gov using your Social Security number and password. The account shows your return status, the total refund amount the IRS calculated, and the dates and amounts of each deposit sent to you.
If you do not have an online IRS account, you can call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 (the main tax line) and speak to a representative. Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact amount of the deposit ready. They can tell you which return the payment is tied to and whether more money is coming.
Keep the direct deposit notification or bank statement showing the $1,390 deposit. If you ever need to dispute the amount or prove you received it, that record is your proof.
What to do if you did not expect this deposit
If you did not file a tax return but received a $1,390 direct deposit from the IRS, do not assume it is an error. The IRS sometimes files returns on behalf of people based on income records from employers or financial institutions, especially if you are owed a large refund due to tax credits.
Check your IRS account or call the IRS to confirm the deposit is legitimate and tied to a return filed in your name. If the IRS filed a return for you without your knowledge, you have the right to file your own return instead, which may result in a different refund amount. Act on this within the year the return was filed, because the IRS will not reprocess it after that deadline passes.
If the deposit appears to be fraudulent — meaning you believe someone filed a return using your Social Security number without permission — report it to the IRS Identity Theft hotline at 1-800-908-4490 and file a report with the Federal Trade Commission at IdentityTheft.gov.
Refund timing and multiple deposits
The IRS typically processes refunds within 21 days of receiving your return, but that timeline assumes your return is complete and requires no additional verification. If the $1,390 is a partial refund, the remaining amount may take several more weeks or months to arrive.
Direct deposit is faster than a paper check — usually 3 to 5 business days from the IRS to your bank once the IRS releases the funds. However, your bank may take an additional 1 to 2 business days to post the deposit to your account, depending on when it arrives and your bank's processing schedule.
If you are expecting more money and want to know when it will arrive, use the "Where's My Refund?" tool, which updates every 24 hours and shows the expected deposit date for any remaining refund.
What happens if the deposit amount is wrong
If the $1,390 does not match the refund amount you calculated on your return, or if you believe the IRS made an error, do not spend the money immediately. Contact the IRS using your online account or by phone to ask why the amount differs.
Common reasons for a smaller-than-expected deposit include tax credits being reduced during verification, the IRS applying part of your refund to a past-due tax debt or student loan, or the IRS holding back money pending review of a specific line item on your return. The IRS will explain which reason applies to you.
If you disagree with the IRS's decision, you have the right to file a formal protest or dispute. The IRS will send you a notice explaining your rights and the steps to take. Keep all documentation related to your return and the deposit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the $1,390 a one-time payment or will it come again next year?
It is a one-time payment tied to a specific tax year and your tax situation that year. Next year's refund, if any, will be a different amount based on your 2024 income, deductions, and tax credits. The $1,390 will not repeat unless your tax circumstances are identical.
Can I use the IRS direct deposit to pay bills or is it restricted?
Once the money is in your bank account, you can use it for anything. The IRS does not restrict how you spend your refund. It is your money.
What if my bank rejected the direct deposit?
If your bank account information was incorrect or your account was closed, the IRS will attempt to resend the deposit. Check your IRS account to see if a second attempt is scheduled. If the deposit keeps failing, contact the IRS to update your bank details or request a paper check instead.
Does receiving this $1,390 affect my taxes next year?
No. A refund is money you overpaid in taxes during the year — the IRS is returning it to you. It does not count as income and does not change your tax filing status or obligations for the next year.
What if I owe taxes and received this deposit by mistake?
If you owe back taxes or have other debts to the federal government, the IRS may have applied part or all of your refund to that debt before sending you the remainder. The $1,390 is what was left after that offset. Check your IRS account or the notice the IRS sent you to see if an offset was applied.