IRS change means many taxpayers must wait weeks for refunds

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Scripps News

Posted 8:53 AM, Mar 14, 2026


Nearly 830,000 Americans could experience delays in receiving their tax refunds this season after the Internal Revenue Service stopped issuing paper checks. According to Democrats on the House Ways and Means Committee, 500,000 filers have received notices to provide the IRS with direct deposit information. Another 300,000 filers are expected to receive the notices.

The National Taxpayer Advocate estimates that about 10 million Americans received paper checks for their refunds last tax season. The group says 4.2% of U.S. households lack a bank account. It said eliminating paper checks particularly affects Americans living abroad, taxpayers with religious constraints, victims of domestic violence, and taxpayers with disabilities. The IRS says that once a taxpayer provides bank account information, refunds will be released after six weeks.

Democratic Reps. Danny K. Davis of Illinois and Terri A. Sewell of Alabama sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, saying many of the affected Americans lack bank accounts and could struggle to access their refunds.

“Having reviewed the IRS notice and called the IRS phone lines, we learned that there is no simple process for these taxpayers to request an immediate release of their refund by paper check without waiting at least 10 weeks,” the lawmakers wrote. “Effectively, the president, unilaterally through his executive order, is causing undue hardship on millions of Americans by delaying their paper refunds for months.”

Read more: https://www.scrippsnews.com/life/money/irs-change-means-many-taxpayers-must-wait-weeks-for-refunds

[mdbl]

1. They sure didn't have any problems taking my money

I owed at the end of the year. Filed my taxes and told them to take it out of my account. It was out by the next day.

[AZJonnie]

2. Funny how that works, isn't it? (nt)

[Igel]

5. The delay's for those that haven't provided a bank account.

Those behind various barriers (overseas, for example) or the "unbanked".

When I finally pull paperwork together to file I'm likely to get my refund (if I get one this year) within 10 days--like the past few years.

I liked paper checks mostly because if the IRS can put money into my account they can do the opposite--whether intentionally or by accident.

[mdbl]

8. Which is why I use an account with not much in it except what I will pay out.

[area51]

9. I did this also;

I recently created a new bank account with very little in it so the govt. won't get much if they "oops" my account.

[twodogsbarking]

3. Filed two returns for adult sons two weeks ago. They got direct deposits yesterday.

[Nictuku]

4. Usually I get the Fed Tax refund before the State

This year, I got the state about 2 weeks after filing, but it was more like 6 weeks before I got the Fed refund. But I did get it (I was worried)

[BumRushDaShow]

6. As a note - I *finally* got mine filed today

I normally don't itemize but gave it a shot this year due to larger medical/dental bills. Took much of the day to gather the stuff, but in the end, it fell just short of the standard deduction. It was probably due to reimbursements that I did surprisingly get.

Will see how long it takes. Thankfully PA doesn't tax retirement income!

[kimbutgar]

7. I filed both 2 weeks ago and I got my state return but I know the paper one will take longer.

Because the IRS is incompetent due to the firing of IRS essential workers to a smaller staff.