If you’re waiting with bated breath for a paper check for your 2024 tax refund, it may be the last one you ever receive from the IRS. A new executive order signed by President Donald Trump is ending paper refund checks starting September 30, 2025. Starting then, taxpayers will need to receive refunds in electronic form, like direct deposit or prepaid debit cards.
Here’s what the executive order does to you—and how you can get ahead of the delays.
IRS will end issuing paper refund checks by September 2025
Under the new administration, the U.S. Treasury will no longer issue paper checks for tax refunds. This covers payments to individuals, corporations, and other government-sent disbursements. From fall 2025 and beyond, the IRS will only use electronic funds transfer (EFT) methods.
Acceptable digital payment options include:
- Direct deposit into a bank account
- Prepaid debit cards
- Digital wallets (e.g., PayPal, Venmo)
Taxpayers who fail to update their payment information may face significant delays in receiving their refunds—or risk not getting them at all.
Why the government is going Digital
The White House says the goal is efficiency, savings, and security. The executive order aims to modernize how the federal government issues payments, reducing waste and eliminating the vulnerabilities of paper checks.
According to the administration:
- Paper-based payments cost taxpayers over $657 million in 2024.
- Treasury checks are 16 times more likely to be lost or stolen.
- Check fraud is rising—63% of U.S. organizations reported check fraud in 2024.
By switching to digital payments, the government expects to save money and better protect taxpayers.
Who still qualifies for paper checks?
While most taxpayers will need to switch to electronic payments, the order includes some exceptions. You may still receive a paper check if:
- You don’t have access to a bank account or digital payment system.
- An emergency situation makes electronic payment impractical.
- A security or law enforcement concern makes a paper check preferable.
In these cases, the Treasury will provide alternatives. Further guidance on how to apply for an exception is expected before the cutoff date.
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Can you still send a check to pay taxes?
Along with ending paper refund checks, the Treasury is also reducing paper payments that come in. This will lead to your paying taxes by personal check being phased out unless you are exempt.
Taxpayers can anticipate using cards or electronic payment options for most IRS transactions going forward.
What you should do now
To avoid delays with future refunds, prepare for the transition to digital payments:
- Choose direct deposit when filing your tax return.
- Update your banking info with the IRS using the “Where’s My Refund?” tool.
- Open a bank or debit card account if you’re unbanked. Federal programs may help with the transition.
If you think you’ll need an exemption, keep an eye out for instructions from the Treasury on how to apply.
The bottom line
This change is a major departure from the way Americans receive cash from the federal government. If you’re one of the millions who continue to receive paper checks, take action now to make the switch to electronic payments. Getting an early start guarantees your 2025 refund—and subsequent ones—arrive safely and on time.
