The IRS has confirmed that they are going to discontinue the paper check refunds from the 2026 tax season. It means that for the tax year 2025, you can’t get your refund via a paper check. Here, we have discussed everything you need to know about this change.
The 2026 tax season will begin in late January 2026, and then all the taxpayers will be able to file their taxes for the tax year 2026. Americans can file their return electronically and on paper, but they have to provide banking details to set up direct deposit to get a refund, if any.
After e-filing for the 2026 returns, you will have to wait for at least three weeks to get direct deposit, but in the case of on-paper filing, the waiting time to get the direct deposit is six weeks. If you claim EITC or ACTC, your refund will be processed after February 15, 2026.
Why did the IRS discontinue paper check refunds?
The Internal Revenue Service is all set to discontinue paper check refunds for the 2026 tax season as per Executive Order 14247. The reason behind doing so is to protect tax papers, because paper checks can be lost, stolen, altered, or delayed more than direct deposit.
It will also speed up refunds; taxpayers will get their direct deposit within 21 days and 6 weeks after e-filing and on paper. In the case of the paper check, taxpayers have to wait for weeks to receive it. It also contributes to cost cutting; it is more efficient and costs less than paper checks.
If you often file on-paper taxes, it is highly recommended that you file electronically for tax season 2026 so you can get the faster refund. From late January 2026, the IRS will start processing the refunds for the taxpayer who doesn’t have a claimed tax credit.
The tax refund for the individuals who don’t claim any tax credit will be issued by the IRS most probably in mid-February 2026, and the same for the individuals who have claimed will be processed after February 15, 2026, and it will be received by the last week.
What is the refund schedule for the 2026 tax season?
The most expected date for the start of the 2026 tax season is January 27; you can expect the tax refund to be received via direct deposit within 21 days. If the IRS accepts your refund on the day they start processing the return, you will most probably get it by February 24, 2026.
Note that an e-file is received by the IRS within 24 hours, but in the case of the on-paper, it takes up to 4 weeks. After filing, you are required to wait that much time to track your status. Once the refund is received, it takes up to 7 to 10 days to review and accept it, and then within a week the refund is sent.
After the release of the refund via direct deposit, you can expect to get it within a few hours. If there is any technical error, you may face a delay of up to 72 hours in getting the refund in your bank account.
2026 IRS Direct Deposit Dates
The direct deposit date for the 2026 tax season depends on your filing time. The Internal Revenue Service is all set to take a maximum of 3 weeks and 6 weeks to release the direct deposit for the individual who e-files and files on paper, respectively.
The table given below carries the estimated date to get the direct deposit from the IRS after filing for a tax return for the tax year 2025; please refer to it to find out when you can expect direct deposit after e-filing or on-paper filing.
| Filing Date | Expected Direct Deposit Date | |
| E-File | On-Paper | |
| January 27, 2026 | February 24, 2026 | March 10 – March 17, 2026 |
| February 3, 2026 | March 3, 2026 | March 17 – March 24, 2026 |
| February 10, 2026 | March 10, 2026 | March 24 – March 31, 2026 |
| February 17, 2026 | March 17, 2026 | April 7 – April 14, 2026 |
| February 24, 2026 | March 24, 2026 | April 14 – April 21, 2026 |
| March 3, 2026 | March 31, 2026 | April 21 – April 28, 2026 |
| March 10, 2026 | April 7, 2026 | April 28 – May 5, 2026 |
| March 17, 2026 | April 14, 2026 | May 5 – May 12, 2026 |
| March 24, 2026 | April 21, 2026 | May 12 – May 19, 2026 |
| March 31, 2026 | April 28, 2026 | May 19 – May 26, 2026 |
Note that if you claim the Earned Income Tax Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit, your tax return will be processed after February 15, 2025, whether you have filed using E-File or on paper; it is because of the PAHT Act.
Disclaimer: Information about the IRS discontinuing paper check refunds is for awareness only. Official policies and timelines are determined by the IRS.