Based on data from the 2025 filing season, approximately 6% of individual taxpayers filed their tax returns on paper, representing roughly 11 million taxpayers.
Despite the IRS's efforts to move toward "paperless processing," a significant number of taxpayers continue to use paper, causing the agency to rely on manual processing or scanning initiatives.
Key Details on 2025 Tax Filing (for 2024 Tax Year):
Total Returns: The IRS received over 165 million individual tax returns during 2025.
Paper vs. Electronic: Roughly 94% of taxpayers filed electronically, while 6% (approx. 11 million) filed on paper.
Processing Delays: Paper returns took significantly longer to process. Paper filers faced an average wait time of 14 weeks for refunds, compared to 7 weeks for e-filers.
Paperless Goals: While the IRS aimed for a "paperless" initiative in 2025, contractors only scanned a small percentage of paper-filed forms (about 5-7% of targeted forms) as of mid-2025, according to a report from the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA).
For the 2026 filing season (covering 2025 taxes), the IRS still expects the vast majority of taxpayers to file electronically, but millions are still anticipated to use paper, either by choice or necessity.
Approximately 9.8 million to 11 million U.S. taxpayers are expected to file paper returns for the 2025 tax year (filing in 2026). While the IRS expects a total of 164 million individual income tax returns this year, the vast majority—roughly 94%—are expected to be filed electronically.
Filing Expectations for 2025 Taxes
Total Returns: The IRS projects receiving 164 million individual returns for the 2025 tax year by the April 15, 2026 deadline.
Paper vs. Electronic: Approximately 6% of all individual returns are typically filed on paper, while 94% are submitted via e-file.
Processing
Costs: Paper returns are significantly more expensive for the agency to
handle, costing about $10.14 per return to process compared to
just $0.23 for an electronically filed return.
Key Changes in the 2026 Filing Season
Paperless Processing: The IRS has implemented a Paperless Processing Initiative to digitally scan and process paper returns more quickly, though recent reports indicate only a small fraction of paper forms have been successfully digitized so far.
Phase-out
of Paper Checks: As of September 30, 2025, the IRS began phasing out
paper refund checks. Most taxpayers are now required to provide direct deposit
information to receive their refunds.
Refund Delays: Paper filers face significantly longer wait times for refunds, averaging 14 weeks compared to roughly 21 days (3 weeks) for those who e-file and use direct deposit.
For the most current updates or to track your specific return, use the IRS "Where's My Refund?" tool or the IRS2Go mobile app.
Comments
Older Taxpayers will likely continue to file Paper Tax Forms, especially when no taxes are due.
Norb Leahy, Dunwoody GA Tea Party Leader
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