Optima Tax Relief’s Chief Tax Officer and Lead Tax Attorney, Phil, answers a common question: “Is the IRS really going to stop sending refund checks?” The short answer is partially yes. As of September 30, 2025, the IRS moved away from issuing paper refund checks, pushing taxpayers toward digital payments instead.
Most Taxpayers Won’t Notice a Change
About 94% of taxpayers will be unaffected by this shift. That’s because most people already provide their banking information when they file their tax return, allowing the IRS to send refunds through direct deposit. If you’re already receiving your refund electronically, you probably won’t see much difference.
Paper Check Users May Experience Delays
The remaining taxpayers who typically rely on paper checks may face a longer process. Before issuing a physical refund check, the IRS will first send a letter requesting your direct deposit information. This additional step could delay your refund even further, potentially adding several weeks to the process. In some cases, taxpayers could wait up to six weeks before a paper check is even issued.
Why the IRS Is Moving to Digital
Like many government agencies and financial institutions, the IRS is continuing its transition toward digital systems. Encouraging taxpayers to provide direct deposit information helps streamline the refund process and reduce administrative delays. It is recommended to engage with the IRS digitally whenever possible, including setting up an IRS online account and providing banking information for faster refunds.
What This Means for Paying the IRS
Importantly, this change does not affect how you pay the IRS. Current payment methods, such as electronic payments, checks, and other approved options, will remain available. The change only applies to how the IRS issues refunds.
Stay Ahead of Changes
The IRS is still working through the details of this transition, and exceptions may exist. For now, the best way to avoid delays is to file electronically, provide direct deposit information, and take advantage of the IRS’s growing digital tools.
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