The IRS has announced that paper refund checks for individual taxpayers will begin to be phased out on Sept. 30. The change follows Executive Order 14247 and is part of a broader move toward electronic payments.

According to the tax agency, direct deposit and other digital options are safer, faster, and less costly than mailing checks.

Paper checks are far more likely to be lost or delayed, while electronic payments typically arrive within 21 days when returns are filed electronically. Mailed refunds can still take six weeks or longer.

The IRS says most taxpayers will not notice a difference. More than 93 percent of refunds in 2025 were already issued by direct deposit.

For the small percentage who still receive paper checks, the agency is encouraging them to prepare by reviewing their banking information or opening a low-cost account. Alternatives like prepaid debit cards and digital wallets will also be available.