WASHINGTON, D.C. — IRS don finally announce say dem go phase out paper tax refund checks start from September 30, 2025. Na wetin dem call first step to enter electronic payments as e dey required by Executive Order 14247 wey President Donald Trump sign earlier this year. This order no just dey about disbursements o, e still dey cover receipts for payments Americans dey make to government.
Many taxpayers dey jam neck for this change; while some sabi direct deposit, others dey vex say dem wan continue dey collect paper checks like dem be old-school. But make I yan you one gist — IRS go drop beta guidance before 2026 filing season begin, so you no go slack.
Why dem dey do am? E get why o! According to the order, paper checks dey wahala: costs dey high, chances of fraud dey plenty, and our taxpayer money dey waste. Like joke, paper checks dey reported lost or stolen more than 16 times than electronic funds transfer (EFT). You fit see say na serious matter!
And talk about money, e go cost about 50 cents to issue a paper check, while e dey cost less than 15 cents for electronic payments. My padi, na serious savings for everybody!
The IRS swear say with this new electronic way, na about 21 days or less you fit receive your refund if you file electronically and use direct deposit. But if you dey play with paper checks, you fit dey wait for six weeks or more. (Na wa o! Na the kind patient wey no many people fit carry.)
If you no get bank account but you get prepaid debit card, good news! You fit also collect your refund there. Some payment apps like CashApp dey also allow direct deposit for refund checks, but make sure you check your bank’s routing number before you dey enter anything.
With this transformation, na the time wey government dey use dey push everybody enter electronic payment system. IRS don already share say during the 2025 tax season, them issue more than 93.5 million refunds, and 93% of them dey go through direct deposit. E mean say only 7% dey receive mail checks — that one dey like small talk for big gist o!
No worry if you dey among those wey dey live abroad. Under current law, your federal income tax refund fit only enter U.S. bank account or account wey dey with direct deposit agreement. But if you dey face wahala, you fit still get payment by check.
And for the old citizens or those wey dey face heavy challenges, IRS fit allow you stick to paper checks if e go cause you problem to switch. Just call dem or apply for waiver if you qualify.
This change no dey just affect how dem dey give you money, e dey affect how you dey pay taxes too. IRS don dey already tell federal agencies to hurry up with collecting payments electronically — no more dragging feet.
So, my padi, if you still dey enjoy that paper check lifestyle, e don better make you shine your eye and prepare to switch. No give dem stress! Electronic payments dey fast and secure, and they go help you receive your money without wahala. So, make we embrace this electronic way before e draw fire!
Do you have a news tip for NNN? Please email us at editor@nnn.ng
