Massachusetts Taxpayers to Receive Final Tax Refund Check

Millions of Americans wait each year anticipating the delivery of their federal tax refund checks. That time has almost arrived.

For many Massachusetts residents, it means a trip to Best Buy for a new TV, a down payment on the Cape Cod or New Hampshire summer vacation rental, a visit to one of the area casinos, much-needed repairs to the car or home, or just a chance to pay down some debt and add to the savings.

As times change, however, the way you receive your refund is changing, too.

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President Donald Trump, the reigning king of executive orders, signed an EO on March 25, 2025 requiring the government to phase out the use of paper checks and switch to electronic payments by the end of September.

With limited exceptions, the government will no longer issue or accept paper checks as payment after September 30, 2025.

The order states, "All executive departments and agencies must transition to modern, electronic funds transfer (EFT) methods like direct deposit, debit/credit card payments, digital wallets, and real-time transfers."

Kiplinger.com reports the administration believes paper-based payments such as checks and money orders "impose unnecessary costs, delays, and risks of fraud, lost payments, theft, and inefficiencies."

The executive order also affects Social Security payments. Some 450,000 Social Security recipients are paid with paper checks.

Kiplinger says, "This change could pose challenges, particularly for those older adults who are less familiar with digital banking systems."

As a less-than-tech-savvy senior, I can testify that most older folks have adapted to automatic deposits, debit cards and other modern banking practices. We can even shop and make dinner reservations online. Yay, us!

But should I run into a problem, I will text my 94-year-old mother-in-law for assistance.