Beginning September 30, 2025, the federal government will no longer issue paper checks for any tax refunds due.  Going forward a bank account must be provided to receive your tax refund.

Additionally, the IRS will “as soon as practicable” no longer accept paper checks for most payments, including estimated tax payments, return balances due, and extension payments.

This shift is part of Executive Order 14247, titled Modernizing Payments To and From America’s Bank Account, which mandates that all payments to the federal government be processed electronically unless a specific exemption applies. The move is intended to:

• Reduce fraud and lost payments,
• Improve processing speed and efficiency, and
• Lower administrative costs for the government.

What Taxpayers Need to Know

If you have not yet filed your 2024 tax return, you will need to provide your tax professional a bank account for submission to the IRS to receive your tax refund.  We strongly encourage clients to pay any remaining 2024 balance due electronically.  TBC can submit payment with the tax return upon filing if bank account information is provided.

If you currently pay your estimated taxes by check, you will need to transition to one of the IRS-approved electronic payment methods as soon as possible to prevent potential processing issues. These include:

1. IRS Individual or Business Account (ID.me login)

Pay directly from your bank account and get access to up to 5 years of tax records.

Visit https://www.irs.gov/your-account

1. IRS Direct Pay
   Pay directly from your bank account with no fees. Visit https://www.irs.gov/payments/direct-pay
2. Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS)
   A secure federal system for scheduled or same-day payments. Enrollment takes about a week: https://www.eftps.gov
3. IRS2Go Mobile App
   Available on Apple and Android devices for mobile payments.
4. Third-Party Payment Processors
   Use an IRS-approved provider to pay by debit or credit card (fees may apply).

Exceptions and Accommodations

While the new policy is broad, exceptions may apply for:

• Individuals without access to banking services,
• Emergency payments where electronic disbursement causes undue hardship,
• National security or law enforcement-related activities, or
• Other cases as determined by the Treasury.

Action Steps for Taxpayers

• Act Now: Set up your IRS Account or EFTPS Account early to make estimated payments.
• Plan Ahead: We are recommending that clients pay the final 2025 estimated tax payment electronically.
• Stay Informed: Monitor IRS updates and consult your tax advisor for help with transitioning to electronic payments.
• Keep Detailed Records: You will not have access to payment history for payments that are made without using an ID.me login. If you choose to use one of these methods, please keep detailed records of all estimated payments made and provide them to your tax advisor with your tax documents during filing season.

For Our Clients

At Teal, Becker & Chiaramonte, we are proactively reaching out to clients affected by this change. If you typically make estimated payments by check, we will assist you in selecting and setting up an electronic payment method that fits your needs. For questions or support, please contact our tax administration team at (518) 456-6663 or email [email protected].