The IRS Pushes to Eliminate Paper Checks

Executive Order 14247, Modernizing Payments To and From America's Bank Account, signed on March 25, 2025, directs the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the IRS to transition to fully electronic federal payments, starting with the elimination of paper tax refund checks on September 30, 2025, as feasible.

The goals of EO 14247 include reducing financial fraud, enhancing efficiency, lowering costs, and improving payment security. Paper checks are over 16 times more likely to be lost or delayed than electronic payments, and direct deposit prevents refunds from being returned as undeliverable.

Filing tax returns will remain the same, but refund delivery methods will change. The IRS will provide guidance for filing 2025 taxes before the 2026 tax season.

Refunds and Disbursements

Taxpayers with valid bank account details will continue to receive direct deposits, the fastest and most secure refund method. Electronic refunds typically arrive in less than 21 days, while mailed refunds may take 6 weeks or longer.