Appearing in Bloomberg Law on July 15, 2025, Cole Reynolds interviews NCLC Senior Attorney Carla Sanchez-Adams for coverage of the Trump administration’s plan to stop issuing paper checks for tax refunds — a plan advocates warn could leave some taxpayers confused or without refunds.
Individuals who could struggle to get electronic payments include those who don’t have enough money to open bank accounts or elderly people who aren’t comfortable using online payment systems. Numerous Native American communities submitted responses, arguing that electronic payments could be difficult for members of tribal communities who live in rural areas and without reliable internet access.
Survivors of domestic violence could have their refunds fall into the hands of their abusers, especially if they still maintain a joint bank account.
“Even though the reasons are varied, the point to be made is that, at the end of the day, people still choose to receive payment by check.”
Carla Sanchez-Adams, senior attorney at the National Consumer Law Center.
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