02/05/2026
What to Expect if Direct Deposit Information is Missing from Your 2025 Tax Return.
If a tax return does not include direct deposit information, the IRS has established procedures to handle the situation. Following the President's Executive Order 14247, the government aims to transition towards electronic payments, phasing out paper checks for individual taxpayers starting September 30, 2025, with limited exceptions. According to the IRS website, taxpayers who do not provide direct deposit information may experience delays in their refund processing. Here's what you can expect: The IRS will accept and process tax returns without direct deposit information, but refunds might be delayed. When filing electronically, taxpayers may receive an alert about missing banking information. For those with missing direct deposit details, the IRS will send a letter requesting banking information or an explanation. A CP53E notice will be mailed, requiring a response within 30 days. Taxpayers can update their information using the IRS Individual Online Account. If there's no response within six weeks and no other issues with the return, the refund will be released as a paper check. Providing direct deposit information is voluntary, but it ensures faster and more secure refund delivery.
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