IRS Refund and Payment Processing for 2026 Tax Season (2025 Returns)

As part of ongoing modernization efforts, the IRS is phasing out paper tax refund checks. All refunds are now required to be issued by direct deposit. Currently, the IRS is still accepting paper checks for tax payments and quarterly estimates, however, electronic payment will be mandatory in the near future. As such, we advise that our clients begin making payments electronically to familiarize themselves with this process.

Refund Requests:

• Direct deposit is now technically mandatory for all tax refund disbursements.
• Failure to provide direct deposit information with your return will result in the IRS temporarily holding your refund until the required details are provided.  If no details are provided, you will be contacted by the IRS.  If you do not respond, they will issue a refund check, but it will be delayed for a minimum of 6 weeks and possibly more.

Tax Payments:

• We can set up direct debit payments for balance due and extension payments as part of the filing process. With your permission, we can schedule these payments to be deducted by the return/extension due date
• While we recommend our clients submit their own electronic payments for quarterly estimates per the instructions provided with their return, we can offer direct debit of these payments as well.

What This Means for You

To ensure a timely and secure refund or tax payment, if not already done, please provide us the following when submitting your tax information to us for preparation:

• Bank Routing Number
• Bank Account Number
• Account Type: Checking or Savings, and whether an individual or joint account.

You can email or call our office with your direct deposit details.  You may also provide this information securely via our online client portal.

You can be confident that your information will be handled with the highest level of confidentiality and security.  Most of our clients already take advantage of this electronic payment service, and they have found it to be more secure and convenient than mailing a payment or having to deposit a paper check.