A 2023 check from the U.S. Treasury likely resulted from a 2022 or 2023 tax return adjustment, a forgotten tax refund, interest paid on a late refund, or a COVID-19 related Recovery Rebate Credit payment. It may also be for other government benefits, such as unemployment. Check the memo line for “TAX REF” or “INT” for details.
You likely received a U.S. Treasury check without explanation due to an IRS tax adjustment, an offset resolution, a delayed interest payment on a prior refund, or another government payment, but you should verify it through IRS.gov or USA.gov to confirm authenticity and the reason, as it could be a legitimate correction or even a scam. Log into your IRS account or check your account transcript for details, as they often send explanations separately or after the fact.
A recent executive order mandates that the U.S. Treasury no longer issue paper checks for federal disbursements—including tax refunds, Social Security benefits,, and vendor payments—as of September 30, 2025. The federal government will transition to making electronic payments instead.
Treasury checks will be used to pay obligations of the Department of State and serviced agencies; and to purchase U.S. dollars or foreign currency for disbursing purposes when payment cannot be made via electronic funds transfer. USDO checks will be drawn on the Treasury's General account or on a designated depositary.
The IRS limits the number of direct deposit refunds to the same bank account or on the same pre-paid debit card. Because your request exceeded our direct deposit limits, we're sending you a paper check instead.
A. The IRS encourages taxpayers to discuss the issue with their financial institutions because they may need to close bank accounts. Taxpayers receiving erroneous refunds should also contact their tax preparers immediately. There are established procedures they should follow to return erroneous funds.
The 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit includes up to an additional $1,400 for each qualifying dependent you claim on your 2021 tax return. A qualifying dependent is a dependent who has a valid Social Security number or Adoption Taxpayer Identification Number issued by the IRS.
It could be: A refund from a filed tax return, including an amended tax return or an IRS tax adjustment to your tax account – this will show as being from the IRS (“IRS TREAS 310”) and carry the code “TAX REF.”
Report Suspected Fraud: If you suspect a scam, report it to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA), the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), or the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
If you receive an unexpected check, don't cash it. You could be liable if it's fraudulent. Legitimate companies do not overpay and ask you to send back the difference. Be wary if communication is only happening through social media or messaging apps, as reputable businesses typically use professional channels.
To tell if a U.S. Treasury check is real, check for embedded security features like the "U.S. TREASURY" watermark when held to light, the Treasury Seal that bleeds red when wet, an ultraviolet (UV) pattern that glows under UV light, and microprinting on the back, then verify the details using the official Treasury Check Verification System (TCVS) or by contacting the issuing agency, as these features can't be copied.
The legislation will give single adults who reported adjusted gross income of $75,000 or less on their 2019 tax returns a one-time check for $1,200. Married couples who filed jointly will receive $2,400. Families will get an additional $500 for each child under 17.
Starting September 30, 2025, the federal government will stop issuing paper checks for most federal payments. That means if you're still receiving federal check payments, it's time to switch to an electronic payment method.
Check the status of your stimulus check on the IRS Get My Payment website.
You likely received a U.S. Treasury check without explanation due to an IRS tax adjustment, an offset resolution, a delayed interest payment on a prior refund, or another government payment, but you should verify it through IRS.gov or USA.gov to confirm authenticity and the reason, as it could be a legitimate correction or even a scam. Log into your IRS account or check your account transcript for details, as they often send explanations separately or after the fact.
Check fraud red flags include fake check scams (overpayment/refund requests, urgency, vague stories), physical/printing issues (low-quality paper, odd fonts, missing security features like watermarks), altered checks (mismatched handwriting, smudges, overwritten payee/amount), and unusual account activity (unexpected withdrawals, new accounts used for quick deposits/transfers, missing checks). Be suspicious of requests for immediate action or personal info, and scrutinize unfamiliar checks, especially those from unknown senders or for unusual amounts.
All U.S. Treasury checks are printed on watermarked paper. When held up to the light, the watermark reads “U.S. Treasury” from both the front and the back. Any check should be suspected as counterfeit if the check has no watermark, or the watermark is visible without holding the check up to light.
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (American Rescue Plan), enacted in early March 2021, provided Economic Impact Payments of up to $1,400 for eligible individuals or $2,800 for married couples filing jointly, plus $1,400 for each qualifying dependent, including adult dependents.
Unexpected Checks or Payments
If you receive an unexpected IRS refund check or direct deposit payment, this could be a red flag. The IRS typically does not issue refunds without prior communication. You can verify your status by logging into your IRS account on their official website.
All U.S. Treasury checks are printed on watermarked paper. The watermark reads “U.S. TREASURY” and can be seen from both the front and back of the check when held up to a light. The watermark is light and cannot be reproduced by a copier.
Stimulus payments
Single taxpayers with an adjusted gross income (AGI) of $75,000 or below. Taxpayers filing as heads of household with AGIs of $112,500 or below. Married couples filing jointly with AGIs of $150,000 or below.
Payments will vary but the maximum amount will be $1,400 per individual. In total, the IRS will be distributing about $2.4 billion to taxpayers who failed to claim a Recovery Rebate Credit on their 2021 tax returns. The IRS has posted information online about eligibility and how the payment was calculated.