IRS Refund Delays: Unbanked Face Hardship

0:00Here's more Birmingham news for March 18. Over 830,000 taxpayers are facing delays of up to 10 weeks for their refunds because of IRS notices about banking details. This stems from President Trump's executive order signed in March 2025. It pushes federal agencies like the IRS to switch from paper checks to electronic payments for refunds and taxes, except in rare cases. Last year alone, 10 million people got their refunds by check. All makers, including representative Suell and Davis, say this is causing real hardship for unbanked folks, those with disabilities, or people in, remote areas. They note there's no easy phone option to update info or speed things up, and they've asked the IRS for details on interest payments and how many. Checks have gone out. Taxpayers getting notice CP53E have 30 days to create an online IRS account and add bank routing and account numbers. Check that window and a paper check comes after 6 weeks.

1:02You get just one shot to get the electronic details ripe, or it's back to waiting for mail. The IRS says check your account status online after 2-5 days and watch for success messages. Officials are still responding to questions from Congress as more people deal with these holds. A quick thank you to our sponsor of today's episode. Comfort you can hear, sound you can relax into, S-O-L-I-SOLI-PILLOW.com.