A growing number of filers are facing tax refund delays amid a government-wide phaseout of paper checks.
House Ways and Means Committee Democrats this week sent another letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, with “additional concerns” about roughly 1.4 million IRS notices sent to filers about refund delays related to paper payment requests. At the time of the lawmakers’ initial letter, dated March 9, they said more than 830,000 taxpayers had received such notices.
The IRS notice, known as CP53E, asks taxpayers for updated banking information to receive refund payments via direct deposit. Recipients have 30 days to provide these details via an IRS online account, or the agency will issue a paper refund after six weeks.
“This matter is time sensitive and urgent as individuals and families facing delays need their tax refunds to offset the high cost of gas, food and basic necessities,” the lawmakers wrote.
The refund payment change stems from an executive order signed by President Donald Trump in March 2025, which requires government agencies to shift from paper to electronic payments.
