Executive Order 14247 mandates the transition to electronic payments and phases out disbursements by paper check. In accordance with this order, the IRS will be phasing out paper checks beginning on September 30, 2025. See the news alert IR-2025-94 for details.

When filing your return through TaxAct, if you have a refund you can select either Direct Deposit or Paper Check during the filing process. If you decide to select Paper Check, it is important to note that as a result of a recent government executive order, paper check refunds may take up to an additional 6 weeks to be processed and delivered. Once your tax return is accepted by the IRS, you will receive a notice directly from the IRS. At that time, you can log in to your IRS Account to apply for a waiver, which could potentially expedite the processing of your refund. 

The IRS provides several options for taxpayers at IRS.gov/modernpayments.