09/24/2025
IRS is phasing out paper check refunds paid to individuals (09-23-25)
Paper refund checks for individual taxpayers will be phased out beginning on September 30, 2025. (IR-2025-94)
This latest announcement by the IRS is the first step in implementing President Trump’s Executive Order 14274, which directed the U.S. Treasury to stop issuing paper checks by September 30, 2025, as well as mandating all payments to the federal government be made electronically “as soon as practicable.”).
According to the news release, for those who are unable to receive direct deposits to a bank account, other options such as prepaid debit cards, digital wallets, or limited exceptions to the paper check prohibition will be available. However, no additional guidance has been provided yet as to how these alternatives may be requested.
To date, there are no changes being made to how payments to the U.S. Treasury should be made. Taxpayers should continue to use existing payment options until further notice. According to the IRS, additional guidance and information for filing 2025 taxes will be issued prior to the 2026 filing season.
