IRS Paper Refund Checks: What Changed and Who Can Still Get One

Most taxpayers should now expect the IRS to deliver their federal refund electronically rather than by paper check.

The IRS began phasing out paper refund checks on September 30, 2025, and now generally delivers individual tax refunds electronically. Paper checks are still issued in limited situations, but taxpayers who omit banking information or whose direct deposit fails may need to act before the IRS releases their refund.

Here is when the IRS may still issue a paper refund check, what to do if you receive Notice CP53E, and how to prevent an avoidable refund hold.

Can You Still Receive an IRS Refund by Paper Check?

Yes, but only in limited situations. The IRS now generally delivers individual tax refunds electronically and issues paper checks when an exception applies or when electronic delivery cannot be completed.

Electronic payments are generally faster, less costly to process, and less likely to be lost, stolen, altered, or delayed than mailed checks.

The IRS may send Notice CP53E when a return shows a refund but the banking information is missing, invalid, or rejected. It may also send the notice when an IRS correction changes a balance-due return into a refund.

Taxpayers generally have 30 days from the notice date to add or update one account through their IRS Online Account or select an available paper-check exception.

Do not provide bank information by phone, email, text message, or through an unsolicited link. After receiving CP53E, add or update the account only through your IRS Online Account.

Why Is the IRS Phasing Out Paper Refund Checks?

The IRS cites several reasons for shifting refunds to electronic delivery:

• Lost or delayed mail
• Theft, alteration, or fraudulent check use
• Address errors
• Longer processing times
• Higher administrative costs

The IRS identifies direct deposit as the fastest way to receive a refund. Electronic delivery also avoids many of the theft, loss, and mailing risks associated with paper checks. Taxpayers can track a refund through Where’s My Refund?, the IRS2Go app, or their IRS Online Account.

When Will the IRS Still Issue a Paper Refund Check?

Paper checks are no longer the standard refund method, but the IRS may still issue one when a taxpayer qualifies for an exception or electronic delivery cannot be completed.

A taxpayer may be able to select a paper-check exception through an IRS Online Account when an approved hardship, legal, procedural, or other qualifying condition applies. The letter will also provide information on exceptions and provide a dedicated phone line taxpayers may call to request an exception and issuance of a paper check.

However, a paper refund check generally takes one to three weeks longer to process than direct deposit.

Source: Taxpayer Advocate Service, Tips on Electronic Payment Options Available to Taxpayers as the IRS Phases Out Paper Checks 

What Is an IRS CP53E Notice?

Notice CP53E means the IRS cannot release your refund electronically because the banking information is missing, invalid, or rejected, or because an IRS correction created a refund.

Within 30 days of the notice date, the taxpayer may use an IRS Online Account to:

• Add or update one bank account for direct deposit
• Review the delivery options available for the notice
• Select an available paper-check exception

If the taxpayer takes no action, the IRS says it will issue a paper check after six weeks.

The taxpayer receives one opportunity to add or update the banking information. If the second deposit attempt is rejected, the IRS will issue a paper check rather than provide another opportunity to change the account.

Don't confuse CP53E with CP53. Notice CP53E generally gives taxpayers 30 days to update direct-deposit information through an IRS Online Account or select an available paper-check exception. Notice CP53 generally says the IRS is mailing the refund because direct deposit could not be completed and the banking information cannot be updated for that refund.

Read the notice carefully and complete any required action by the deadline shown. The IRS CP53E page provides the current account-update and exception instructions.

Learn more about what a CP53E notice means and how to respond.

What Happens If You File Without Direct Deposit Information?

The IRS may process the return while holding the refund until the taxpayer provides eligible direct-deposit information or selects an available paper-check exception.

The IRS may place the refund on hold when:

• No routing or account number was included on the return
• The routing or account number is invalid
• The financial institution rejects the deposit
• An IRS correction changes a balance-due return into a refund

In many of these situations, the IRS sends Notice CP53E. Follow the notice instructions within 30 days to update the account or select an available exception.

What If You Do Not Have a Bank Account?

A taxpayer without a traditional bank account may be able to use an eligible prepaid debit card, payment app, digital wallet, or low-cost bank or credit union account that provides valid routing and account numbers. Confirm that the provider accepts federal tax-refund deposits before filing.

Never provide banking information in response to an unsolicited call, email, text message, or link. When in doubt, go directly to IRS.gov rather than using contact information or a QR code from an unverified source.

Direct Deposit vs. Paper Check: How IRS Refund Delivery Compares

For most taxpayers, direct deposit is faster and avoids the mailing risks associated with paper checks.

Taxpayers without a traditional bank account may still be able to use an eligible prepaid debit card, payment app, digital wallet, or low-cost bank or credit union account. Paper checks are reserved for limited exceptions rather than personal preference alone.

How to Avoid Refund Delays Before You File

Incorrect banking information can place a refund on hold, so verify every account detail before submitting the return.

Before filing, verify:

• The routing number
• The bank account number
• That names and taxpayer identification numbers match IRS records
• The filing status
• The dependent names, SSNs or ITINs, and eligibility information
• The mailing address
• That the account is open and able to receive ACH deposits
• That the account is in your name, your spouse’s name, or both names when filing jointly
• That the selected refund method is correct

Missing information, identity mismatches, incorrect account details, and other return errors can delay processing or prevent direct deposit.

Plan for Electronic Refund Delivery Before Filing

Most individual taxpayers should plan to receive their federal refund electronically.

Paper checks remain available only in limited situations. Before filing, confirm that the routing and account numbers are correct, the account can accept a federal tax refund, and the account is in your name, your spouse’s name, or both names when filing jointly. If you receive Notice CP53E, follow the instructions through your IRS Online Account within 30 days.