Some taxpayers who still rely on mailed checks are waiting months for money they are owed, according to reporting by Federal News Network. The outlet reports that the IRS paper check phase-out is behind these refund delays, catching off guard people who expected their money on the usual timeline.
The core issue is straightforward: as the agency moves away from issuing physical checks, taxpayers who have not set up electronic payment are the ones feeling the slowdown. If you filed and are still waiting, the way you asked to be paid may be the reason.
Why is the IRS phasing out paper checks?
Federal News Network reports that the IRS is moving away from mailing paper refund checks as part of a broader shift toward electronic payments. Electronic transfers are faster, cheaper to process, and harder to lose or steal in the mail. Paper checks, by contrast, can be delayed, misdelivered, or intercepted.
The transition itself is not the problem for most filers. The delays land on the smaller group of taxpayers who have not switched to direct deposit and who still expect a check in the mailbox. For them, the outlet reports, the wait has stretched into months rather than the few weeks many are used to.
Calculate Your 2026 COLA Increase →Who is affected by the refund delays?
Based on the Federal News Network report, the taxpayers most likely to see long waits are those who:
- Requested a paper check instead of direct deposit when they filed.
- Have no bank account information on file with the IRS.
- Rely on mailed payments out of habit or preference.
If you chose direct deposit and gave the IRS valid bank details, you are generally not the target of this particular slowdown. The delay described in the report centers on the paper-check path specifically.
How can I avoid a delayed refund?
The clearest fix is to move away from paper. Choosing direct deposit lets the IRS send your refund straight to your bank account, which sidesteps the mail entirely. When you file, you can enter your bank routing and account numbers so your refund arrives electronically.
To set this up:
- Select direct deposit when you file your return, whether you use tax software, a preparer, or a paper form.
- Double-check your routing and account numbers so the money does not bounce back.
- Keep your address and contact details current with the IRS in case the agency needs to reach you.
Because the IRS is steering taxpayers toward electronic payment, setting up direct deposit now can spare you a repeat of the same delay next filing season.
How do I check the status of my refund?
The IRS runs a “Where’s My Refund?” tool on its official website, IRS.gov, and through the IRS2Go mobile app. It lets you see whether your return has been received, approved, and sent. You will typically need your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount to look it up.
If the tool shows your refund was issued as a check but it still has not arrived after a reasonable time, that is a sign you may be caught in the paper-check backlog Federal News Network describes. In that situation, contacting the IRS directly can help you confirm where things stand.
When will delayed paper-check refunds arrive?
The Federal News Network report does not lay out a fixed timeline for when the backlog of paper-check refunds will clear. It describes waits stretching into months for affected filers, but a precise resolution date is not specified.
Because the situation is tied to the ongoing move away from paper, the safest assumption is that mailed-check refunds may continue to run slower than electronic ones. If your refund is time-sensitive, switching to direct deposit for future returns is the most reliable way to avoid the wait.
What should I do if I’m already waiting?
If you are stuck in the paper-check delay right now, a few practical steps can help:
- Confirm your filing details: Make sure the return was accepted and that you requested the payment method you expected.
- Use “Where’s My Refund?”: Track the status at IRS.gov before assuming something has gone wrong.
- Verify your mailing address: A wrong or outdated address can add weeks to a mailed check.
- Contact the IRS if it’s overdue: If the tool shows a check was issued long ago and it never came, reach out to ask about a replacement.
The bottom line from Federal News Network’s reporting is that the IRS paper check phase-out is real and already affecting people. Getting ahead of it by choosing electronic payment is the single most effective move a taxpayer can make to keep future refunds on schedule.
