The IRS $1,390 payment is likely a tax refund or advance payment related to a federal tax credit or program you enrolled in

If you received a $1,390 payment from the IRS in November 2025, it came from one of a few sources: a tax refund from your 2024 return, an advance payment on the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), a Child Tax Credit advance, or a payment related to a specific IRS program you participated in. The exact reason depends on your tax situation and what you reported on your most recent return.

The IRS does not send unsolicited payments. If money arrived in your bank account or by check from the Treasury Department, you either filed a return that generated it, enrolled in a program that triggered it, or made a payment to the IRS that was refunded. The first step is to check your IRS account online or look at the notice that came with the payment.

Do not assume the payment is an error or that you need to return it without verifying what it is. Many people panic when they receive unexpected money from the government, but the IRS keeps detailed records of every transaction tied to your Social Security number.

Key Takeaways

  • Check your IRS online account at irs.gov using your login credentials to see the reason for the payment and which tax year it relates to.
  • If you received a notice with the payment, read it carefully — it will explain whether this is a refund, a credit advance, or a correction to a prior year.
  • Do not deposit the payment into someone else's account or spend it immediately if you are unsure whether it belongs to you.
  • If the payment does not match your records or you did not expect it, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to verify before taking any action.

How to check your IRS account for payment details

The fastest way to learn why you received $1,390 is to log into your IRS account at irs.gov. You will need your Social Security number, date of birth, and a way to verify your identity — usually a phone number or email address on file with the IRS. Once logged in, look for "Account" or "Tax Records" and scroll to recent transactions.

Your IRS account shows every payment you have made to the IRS, every refund issued, and every credit applied to your account. The transaction will be labeled with a date, amount, and description. If it says "Refund — Tax Year 2024," it came from your 2024 tax return. If it says "EITC Advance" or "CTC Advance," it came from a credit program.

If you do not have an online IRS account, you can create one in about 10 minutes. The IRS requires identity verification, which usually happens immediately through a third-party service. Once verified, you can see your account within minutes.

Common reasons for a $1,390 IRS payment in November

A tax refund is the most common reason. If you filed your 2024 tax return and overpaid your taxes through withholding or estimated payments, the IRS refunds the difference. Refunds typically arrive 21 days after the IRS processes your return, though some take longer if the return was flagged for review or if you claimed certain credits.

An Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) advance or payment is another possibility. The EITC is a refundable credit for working people with low to moderate income. If you filed a 2024 return and were found to be may have access to to the credit, the IRS sends the full amount as a refund. The credit can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand, depending on your income and family situation.

A Child Tax Credit (CTC) payment is also possible if you have dependent children. The CTC is worth up to $2,000 per child under 17. If your 2024 return showed you were may have access to to the credit and you had not received advance payments during 2024, the IRS sends the full amount when it processes your return.

Less commonly, the payment could be a correction. If the IRS made an error on a prior-year return or adjusted your account after reviewing your filing, it may send a payment to correct the mistake. This usually comes with a notice explaining what was changed and why.

What to do if you received the payment and it is correct

If you logged into your IRS account and the payment matches what you expected — for example, you filed a return and knew you were owed a refund — you do not need to do anything. The money is yours. Spend it, save it, or use it however you need.

Keep the notice that came with the payment or take a screenshot of your IRS account showing the transaction. You may need proof of the payment for your own records, especially if you are tracking your finances or preparing for next year's taxes.

If the payment was a refund of taxes you overpaid, that money is not taxable income in the year you receive it. You do not report it on your 2025 tax return. It was already accounted for when you filed your 2024 return.

What to do if you did not expect the payment or cannot verify it

If you cannot log into your IRS account or the payment does not match your records, contact the IRS directly. Call 1-800-829-1040 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. your local time). Have your Social Security number, date of birth, and the payment amount ready.

The IRS can tell you immediately which tax year the payment relates to and why it was sent. If there is a discrepancy — for example, you did not file a 2024 return but received a refund — the IRS will investigate and either confirm the payment is correct or issue a correction.

Do not spend the money if you are uncertain it belongs to you. If the IRS later determines the payment was sent in error, you may be asked to return it. Keeping the funds in a separate account until you verify makes repayment easier if needed.

How tax refunds and credits work in the payment process

When you file a tax return, the IRS compares what you owe in taxes to what you have already paid through withholding or estimated payments. If you paid more than you owe, the difference is refunded to you. If you paid less, you owe the IRS.

Refundable tax credits like the EITC and CTC work differently. Even if you owe zero in taxes, you can still receive a refund if you are may have access to to these credits. The IRS treats the credit as a payment and refunds any amount above what you owe. This is why a $1,390 payment might arrive even if you had no tax liability.

The IRS processes returns in the order they are received. Returns filed early in the year are typically processed within 21 days. Returns filed later or flagged for review take longer. A November payment likely means your 2024 return was processed in October or earlier, or it is a correction or adjustment to a prior year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to report the $1,390 payment as income on my 2025 taxes?

No. If the payment is a refund of taxes you overpaid or a refundable tax credit from your 2024 return, it is not taxable income in 2025. It was already accounted for when you filed your 2024 return. If you are unsure what the payment is for, check your IRS account or the notice that came with it.

What if I received the payment but did not file a 2024 tax return?

Contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. If you did not file a return, you should not have received a refund or credit payment. The IRS may have processed a return filed on your behalf, or there may be an error. The IRS can clarify what happened and whether you need to take action.

Can I deposit the payment into someone else's bank account?

No. IRS payments are issued to the person whose Social Security number is on the return or account. Depositing it into another person's account could create tax or legal issues for both of you. If you need to transfer money to someone else, do so after the payment clears your own account.

What if the payment amount does not match what I expected?

Log into your IRS account to see the breakdown of the payment — which tax year it relates to, which credits or refunds it includes, and any adjustments the IRS made. If the amount still does not make sense, call 1-800-829-1040 and ask the IRS to walk you through the calculation.

How long should I keep the notice or proof of this payment?

Keep it for at least three years. The IRS can audit returns going back three years in most cases. If you ever need to prove you received this payment — for a loan application, a government benefit, or an audit — you will have documentation. Store it with your other tax records.