09/29/2025
As of September 30, 2025, the IRS is transitioning away from paper checks to electronic refunds and payments per Executive Order 14247. This change will affect individual taxpayers first with plans to expand to include all taxpayers later.
A few key items:
• Although the mandate states September 30, 2025, the IRS is focusing on electronic payment and deposits for the 2026 tax season which is expected to open in late January/early February 2026.
• If the IRS has not received information for electronic refunds, it will mail a letter requesting the information. After six (6) weeks, it will automatically process the refund.
• The IRS is still determining how to apply the mandate to foreign taxpayers. They acknowledge international taxpayers will require additional tools and processes and plan to improve access for international taxpayers at a later date.
• If you or your business has not set up an IRS account yet, we strongly encourage you to do so here: https://www.irs.gov/your-account. The accounts provide 5 years of information on your tax filings, acknowledge receipt of tax filings, and allow you to access transcripts and make payments through the accounts. The accounts are for persons living both inside and outside the U.S. and most U.S. businesses are also able to set up IRS accounts. To set up your IRS account, the IRS uses ID.me to prove identity. To set this up, you will be required to upload a copy of your passport or driver’s license as part of the set-up process. Make sure to retain your login information for ID.me.
For more information and guidance on how to prepare for this change, see the links below:
https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-to-phase-out-paper-tax-refund-checks-starting-with-individual-taxpayers
https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/modernizing-payments-to-and-from-americas-bank-account
Executive Order 14247 establishes a government-wide directive to transition to the use of electronic transfers for disbursing federal payments and collecting funds owed to the government.
