Whether you expect a tax refund or have a balance due on your 2025 tax returns, you may receive a CP53E notice from the IRS by mail. If this happens, do not panic. This is a legitimate notice tied to a recent change in how the IRS handles payment options.
Below, we explain why the IRS is sending CP53E notices, what the notice means for you, and the steps you should take to ensure your tax refund or tax payment is processed as quickly and securely as possible. As always, please reach out to your local ATLAS office if you have questions, concerns, or need assistance.
WHAT IS EXECUTIVE ORDER 14247?
The CP53E notice is connected to Executive Order 14247, signed on March 25, 2025. This order directs federal agencies, including the IRS, to transition away from sending and receiving paper-payments, such as checks, and move toward electronic payments. The purpose of the executive order is to increase the use of secure, digital payment methods, and decrease risk of mail theft and delivery delays.
As part of this change, paper tax refund checks are being phased out wherever legally permitted. Direct deposit will default as the preferred method of electronic payment.
IRS NOTICE CP53E: NEXT STEPS
A CP53E notice could indicate one of two things. If you are due a refund with your 2025 tax returns, you may receive a CP53E noticed from the IRS if the IRS approved your tax return but does not currently have valid bank account information as needed to send your refund by direct deposit.
Or, if you owed tax with your 2025 returns, and mailed in your tax payment by paper check, you may receive a CP53E notice, reminding you that tax payments are required to be made through electronic payment starting with the next tax season.
It is important to always be cautious when scanning QR codes, as these can sometimes be connected to phishing, malware, or lead to fraudulent websites that request personal or financial information. Because of this, it is important to note that the CP53E notice is legitimate, and that this letter contains a QR code to help taxpayers visit the IRS website directly. As a friendly reminder, the only true IRS website is, IRS.gov, and is the only website through which you should ever attempt to create an IRS account.
OUR BEST PRACTICE RECOMMENDATIONS
–DO NOT scan the QR code on the notice.
As noted above, you should always proceed carefully around QR codes, to ensure the safety of your personal and financial information.
–DO visit the official IRS website directly, by typing IRS.gov into your browser
To help taxpayers spot scams, the IRS explains how its organization contacts taxpayers here.
HOW TO RESPOND TO A CP53E NOTICE
If you receive a CP53E notice, please always share a copy of the notice with your tax and accounting professional. They can help you verify its legitimacy and determine next steps. In general, the notice will tell you that you have 30 days from the date of the notice to add or update your bank account information online.
–You can visit irs.gov/your-account
–Sign in to your IRS account. Or if you have not previously created an IRS account, you can setup one at this time.
–Add or update your direct deposit bank information.
After you submit your information, allow 2-7 business days for your tax return details to appear and update in your IRS online account.
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU DON’T RESPOND?
Presently, if you do not act within the 30-day window and you are due a refund, the IRS will mail you a paper check after approximately six weeks. However, this paper check option is due to become increasingly limited in future tax years. Proactively adding your bank account information now can help make future tax payments and refunds more secure and efficient.
If you have questions about Executive Order 14247, the CP53E notice, or need help navigating your IRS account, please contact your trusted ATLAS advisor or reach out to us online: