As a Tax Director with over 25 years of experience working alongside clients on everything from tax planning to quarterly filings, I've learned that preparation is almost always the difference between a stressful tax season and a smooth one. The IRS's move away from paper checks is a good example. It sounds like a big change, but getting ahead of it is simpler than you might think.
Moving away from paper checks
In March of 2025, Executive Order 14247 directed federal agencies to transition to fully electronic payments. The goal was to make the process faster, more secure, and less susceptible to fraud. Paper checks are over 16 times more likely to be lost, stolen, altered, or delayed than electronic payments, so the reasoning makes sense. But understanding what this means for how you pay your taxes is worth taking a few minutes to think through.
The bigger shift: paying your taxes electronically
If you’re an individual or a small business owner, chances are you go straight to your checkbook when a tax balance is due or when you’re making quarterly estimated tax payments. However, when the IRS fully transitions to electronic payments as early as 2026, your go-to method will need to change.
Here's a list of the current electronic payment options available:
- IRS Direct Pay allows you to pay directly from your bank account at no cost. No account setup is required, making it one of the easiest options for one-time payments.
- IRS Individual Online Account, which you can set up at IRS.gov, is a helpful all-in-one option. In addition to making payments, you can view amounts due, payment history, and scheduled payments all in one place.
- The Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) is primarily used by businesses. While existing individual accounts can still be used, new individual accounts can no longer be established.
- Debit and credit cards, as well as digital wallets, are accepted through IRS-approved payment processors. Please note that fees do apply to these payment methods.
- The IRS2Go mobile app offers a convenient option for secure mobile payments.
What about refunds?
On the refund side, the IRS has been phasing out paper refund checks since September 30, 2025. For many taxpayers, this will not be a significant change because direct deposit has been the faster and more secure option, with refunds typically arriving in less than 21 days (compared to six weeks or more by mail).
If you do not have a bank account set up for direct deposit, resources are available at FDIC.gov/GetBanked and MyCreditUnion.gov. Some mobile apps and prepaid debit cards also qualify if they have a routing and account number.
Nothing about how you file is changing.
It's worth noting that how you file your tax return is not affected by any of this. These changes apply only to how refunds are delivered and how payments are made.
As of now, the IRS has postponed the effective date on the paper check payment mandate and is continuing to accept paper check tax payments for the current tax season. That being said, it's unclear when that option will no longer be available. It's possible the policy could change mid-year, which would affect estimated tax payments due later in 2026. Staying ahead of that shift now is the best way to ensure this transition is smooth.
Have questions?
If you would like to talk through how these changes apply to your specific situation, please give one of our 5 locations a call. This is exactly what we're here for.
Crystal Harmon is the Tax Director at Wymer Brownlee Wealth Strategies, Enid. Wymer Brownlee serves clients across Oklahoma with offices in Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Enid, Bartlesville, and Fairview. Crystal Harmon is not affiliated or registered with Cetera Wealth Services, LLC. Any information provided by Crystal Harmo is no way related to Cetera Wealth Services, LLC or its registered representatives.