10/01/2025
Mandatory Changes to How the IRS Issues Refunds and Receives Payments
The U.S. government changed how it sends and receives payments. Starting September 30, 2025, federal payments, including tax refunds, will no longer be issued by paper check. The government will also stop accepting paper checks for payments to federal agencies, including tax payments. Please note that once the IRS accepts your tax return, we cannot update your direct deposit information.
Refunds
• Paper check refunds are being phased out: This transition began on September 30, 2025, and will be fully implemented for the upcoming tax season.
• Electronic refunds are now standard: For your 2025 tax return, the IRS will issue refunds by direct deposit or another secure electronic method.
• Options for unbanked individuals: If you do not have a bank account, the IRS and U.S. Treasury will provide alternative electronic options, such as prepaid debit cards and digital wallets, as long as a routing and account number are available.
Payments
• Payments MUST be sent electronically. Various electronic payment options are available at https://www.irs.gov/payments. We HIGHLY recommend setting up an IRS payment account before filing your taxes to ensure you are prepared to make any required payments.
More information can be found at 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.
