How to avoid tax refund delays due to new IRS policy changes? That’s everything you need to know

U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS)’s planned phase-out of paper checks is one major development that could halt refunds and delay them for weeks.

Read more: 2026 IRS Refunds: Who qualifies for $1,700 EITC payment? Here’s how to claim it

As the IRS phases out paper checks, taxpayers who fail to provide bank account and routing information when filing will no longer automatically receive refunds.

Instead, the IRS will hold refunds until bank details are provided. In previous years, the agency would automatically issue paper checks in such cases. This change will affect personal income tax return Applications submitted for the 2025 tax year will be processed in 2026.

According to the official IRS website, when a refund is blocked, the IRS issues a CP53E notice explaining the situation and allowing taxpayers 30 days to submit accurate bank information online through their IRS account.

If the filer does not respond within the 30-day period, the IRS will only issue a paper check approximately six weeks after the notification date.

Read more: IRS issues ‘peak’ warning ahead of Presidents Day, ‘Call IRS phone lines…’