If you’ve been relying on paper checks to make or receive payments from the government, it’s a good time to consider going electronic.

According to an executive order from President Donald Trump issued last spring, starting Sept. 30, 2025, “the Federal government will cease issuing paper checks for all disbursements, including intragovernmental payments, benefits, vendor payments, and tax refunds.”

On Sept. 23, the IRS issued guidance that it will phase out tax refund checks for individual taxpayers starting Sept. 30 in keeping with the order.

Why Checks Are Going Away

The order aims to curb fraud, modernize the government, and reduce the amount of money the U.S. spends on paper checks. The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network said last year that mail-related check fraud was more than $688 million between February 2023 and August 2023. And according to the executive order fact sheet, paper records cost taxpayers more than $657 million in 2025.

It also requires all payments made to the federal government — including taxes, fees, fines, or loans — be processed electronically “as soon as practicable, and to the extent permitted by law.”

Exceptions to the Rule

  • The order allows for exceptions, including for:
  • Those without banking or electronic payment access.
  • Certain emergency payments.
  • Certain law enforcement activities.
  • Other special cases that qualify for an exception under the order or other existing law.

Types of Electronic Payment Methods

Government departments and agencies will have to make disbursements using electronic funds transfer methods, including:

  • Direct deposit
  • Debit/credit card payments
  • Digital wallets
  • Real-time transfers

Resources to Help

If you don’t have a bank account to receive direct deposits, you can find resources for free or low-cost accounts at FDIC: GetBanked or MyCreditUnion.gov.

You have a few online options for making payments electronically. For one-time payments to the IRS, visit irs.gov/payments/direct-pay.

For setting up recurring payments with the option to track those payments, you can set up an account at ID.me.

Both sites require you to provide or verify information. So, it’s helpful to have your tax information, banking details, and other forms of identification handy.

If you’re a client who needs assistance making payments electronically, you can call any of our offices at the numbers listed at the top of our website, and we’d be happy to help.