There is no IRS relief payment scheduled for November 2025

The IRS does not have a blanket relief payment program running in November 2025. If you have received a notice, email, or text claiming you are owed an IRS relief payment this month, it is almost certainly a scam. The IRS does not initiate contact by email, text, or unsolicited phone call to tell you about money owed to you.

The confusion often stems from real IRS programs that existed in past years — like the Economic Impact Payments (stimulus checks) during 2020 and 2021 — or from ongoing tax credits that work differently than a direct payment. This guide explains what actually exists, how to tell a scam from real IRS communication, and what to do if you think you are owed money.

Key Takeaways

  • The IRS does not send unsolicited emails, texts, or calls about relief payments; any message claiming this is a scam.
  • Real IRS money comes through tax refunds (filed through your tax return), the Earned Income Tax Credit (claimed on your return), or the Child Tax Credit (also claimed on your return).
  • If you received a suspicious message about an IRS relief payment, do not click links or provide personal information; report it to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA).
  • The IRS website (irs.gov) is the only reliable source for information about current tax credits and refunds you may be owed.

How the IRS actually sends money to taxpayers

The IRS sends money in three main ways: as a tax refund after you file your return, as a tax credit (like the Earned Income Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit) that reduces what you owe or increases your refund, or occasionally as an advance payment of a credit you will claim later. None of these arrive as an unsolicited notice telling you to claim something. Instead, you file a tax return, and the IRS processes it.

If you are owed a refund, you will see it reflected when you file. If you are owed a credit, you claim it on your return. The IRS does not reach out first to tell you money is waiting. If someone contacts you claiming you have unclaimed IRS money, that is a scam, even if they have some of your personal information.

Common scams pretending to be IRS relief

Scammers use the names of past relief programs or invent new ones to sound official. They may claim you are owed a "November relief payment," a "stimulus check," a "tax relief grant," or a "government refund." The message usually includes a link to click or a phone number to call, and asks for your Social Security number, bank account details, or payment information.

Real IRS communication comes by mail, not email or text. If the IRS needs to contact you, they send a letter to your address on file. They never ask for payment information, passwords, or Social Security numbers via email or phone. If you receive a message claiming to be from the IRS and you are unsure, go directly to irs.gov or call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 — do not use a number from the suspicious message.

Tax credits and refunds you may actually be owed

If you think you are owed money from the IRS, the most likely reason is one of these: you overpaid taxes during the year and are owed a refund, you are owed the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) because your income is below a certain level, or you are owed the Child Tax Credit if you have dependent children. All of these are claimed by filing a tax return.

The EITC can be worth hundreds or thousands of dollars depending on your income and family size. The Child Tax Credit is up to $2,000 per child under 17. If you did not file a return last year or the year before, you may be owed money from those years too. The IRS does not automatically send these; you have to file a return to claim them.

How to check if you are actually owed a refund

Go to irs.gov and use the "Where's My Refund?" tool. You will need your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your return. This tool shows the status of a return you have already filed. If you have not filed yet and think you are owed money, you will need to file a return through a tax software, a tax preparer, or the IRS Free File program if your income qualifies.

You can also call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to ask about a refund or to learn about you are owed a credit. Have your Social Security number and tax return information ready. The IRS phone lines are busiest early in the year, so expect wait times if you call between January and April.

What to do if you received a scam message

Do not click any links, download any files, or provide any personal information. Do not call a number from the message. Delete the email or text, or hang up the phone.

Report the scam to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) at tigta.treasury.gov or by calling 1-800-366-4484. If it was a phishing email, you can also forward it to phishing@irs.gov. If you gave out personal information, monitor your credit report and consider placing a fraud alert with the credit bureaus.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get an IRS relief payment without filing a tax return?

No. All money from the IRS comes through the tax system — either as a refund, a credit you claim on your return, or an advance of a credit. You cannot receive IRS money without filing a return or having one filed on your behalf. Anyone claiming otherwise is running a scam.

What if I lost money to an IRS relief scam?

Report it to TIGTA at tigta.treasury.gov. If you gave out banking information, contact your bank immediately and ask them to monitor your account for fraud. If you gave out your Social Security number, place a fraud alert with the credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion) and consider freezing your credit.

Is there a real government relief payment I might have missed?

Possibly, but it would not come from the IRS unsolicited. Check benefits.gov to search for programs you may be owed based on your income and situation. You can also contact your state's social services office or call 211 to learn about state and local assistance programs.

How do I know if a message is really from the IRS?

The IRS initiates contact by mail only, never by email, text, or phone call. If you receive an unsolicited message claiming to be from the IRS, it is a scam. When in doubt, go to irs.gov directly or call 1-800-829-1040 using the number on the IRS website, not from any message you received.