You give the IRS your bank details through your tax return or by updating your account in IRS Online Services

The IRS does not have a single form called "add your checking account." Instead, you provide your bank information in one of three ways: when you file your tax return, by updating your profile in IRS Online Services, or by calling the IRS directly. Which route you use depends on whether you are filing a return, expecting a refund, or updating information for an existing case.

The IRS uses your bank details for two main purposes: to deposit refunds directly into your account instead of mailing a check, and to collect taxes you owe through electronic withdrawal. Both require your routing number and account number, which you can find on the bottom left of any check you write.

Key Takeaways

  • You provide your checking account information on your tax return itself, in the direct deposit section, if you are filing and expecting a refund.
  • Your routing number comes from the first nine digits on the bottom left of your checks; your account number is the second set of digits after the routing number.
  • If you have already filed and want to update your bank details for a refund, you can log into IRS Online Services with your ID.me or Login.gov account and change it there.
  • The IRS will not process a refund to a new account if you change it after the return has been accepted, so timing matters.
  • If you owe taxes and set up a payment plan, you can authorize electronic withdrawal from your checking account during the setup process or afterward through Online Services.

Adding your account when you file your tax return

If you are filing a return and expect a refund, the tax software you use (TurboTax, H&R Block, FreeTaxUSA, or the IRS Free File program) will ask for your bank details in the refund section. You enter your routing number and account number, and the software confirms the account type—checking or savings. This is the most straightforward route because the information goes directly into your return before you submit it.

The IRS processes direct deposits in batches. If your return is accepted and approved, the refund typically deposits within 21 days, though some refunds take longer if the return requires review. Once the return is accepted by the IRS, changing the account number will not redirect the refund to a different bank—it will go to the account you listed on the return itself.

Updating your account in IRS Online Services after filing

If you have already filed your return and want to add or change your bank account before the refund is processed, you can log into IRS Online Services at irs.gov. You will need to create or sign in with an ID.me account or a Login.gov account. Once logged in, select "View Your Tax Account" and look for the option to update your banking information.

The window to make this change is narrow. The IRS will only redirect a refund to a new account if you update it before the return is accepted and the refund is issued. Once the refund has been approved and sent, changing the account in Online Services will not affect that particular refund. If you filed and realize you gave the wrong account number, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to ask whether the return has been accepted yet.

Providing your account for electronic tax payments or payment plans

If you owe taxes and want to pay by electronic withdrawal from your checking account, you can set this up during the payment process on irs.gov or through the IRS's payment partners (PayUSAtax, Official Payments, and others). You enter your routing and account number, and the IRS or the payment processor withdraws the amount on the date you choose.

If you set up a payment plan because you cannot pay the full amount at once, you can authorize automatic monthly withdrawals from your checking account. This is done either when you request the plan or afterward by logging into Online Services and updating your payment arrangement. The IRS charges a setup fee for payment plans, which varies depending on whether you set it up online or by phone.

What information you need and where to find it

You will need two pieces of information from your checking account: your routing number and your account number. Both appear on the bottom of any check you have written. The routing number is the first nine digits on the far left. The account number is the second set of digits, usually 10 to 12 digits long, that comes after the routing number.

If you do not have checks, you can find your routing number by searching your bank's name plus "routing number" online, or by calling your bank's customer service line. Your account number appears in your online banking portal, on your bank statement, or by calling your bank. Do not confuse your account number with your card number if you have a debit card—they are different.

Correcting a mistake if you gave the wrong account number

If you filed your return with the wrong account number and realize the error before the refund is issued, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. Have your Social Security number and the return you filed ready. The IRS can tell you whether the return has been accepted and, if it has not yet been processed, may be able to correct the account number before the refund is sent.

If the refund has already been issued to the wrong account, you cannot redirect it through the IRS. Instead, contact the bank where the refund was deposited and ask them to reverse it or transfer it to your correct account. This process varies by bank and can take several weeks. To avoid this in the future, double-check your routing and account numbers before submitting your return.

Using IRS Online Services if you do not have a tax return to file

Some people do not file a tax return but still need to provide banking information to the IRS—for example, if they are on a payment plan for back taxes or if they received a notice from the IRS about an issue with a prior year return. In these cases, you can log into IRS Online Services and update your account information directly, or call 1-800-829-1040 to provide it over the phone.

The IRS will use this information to contact you about your account and, if applicable, to collect payments or issue refunds related to the matter in question. Providing your account number does not automatically authorize the IRS to withdraw money—you must agree to a payment plan or payment arrangement first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my account number after my refund has been deposited?

No. Once the refund has been issued to your account, the IRS cannot redirect it. If the refund went to the wrong account, contact that bank to reverse or transfer the deposit. For future refunds, you can update your account in Online Services before filing your next return.

What if I do not have a checking account and want to use a savings account instead?

You can use a savings account for direct deposit refunds. When you enter your information in tax software or Online Services, select "savings" instead of "checking" and provide your savings account routing and account number. The process is identical.

Does the IRS charge a fee to add my checking account?

No. Providing your account information for a refund is free. However, if you set up a payment plan to pay taxes you owe, the IRS charges a setup fee that varies by method—roughly $31 to $225 depending on whether you set it up online or by phone.

How long does it take for the IRS to deposit a refund after I provide my account number?

The IRS typically issues refunds within 21 days of accepting your return, though some take longer if the return requires review. Once issued, the deposit usually appears in your account within one to three business days, depending on your bank.

Can I add my account number over the phone instead of online?

Yes. Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and provide your routing and account number to a representative. They can update your information for refunds, payment plans, or other tax matters. Have your Social Security number and tax information ready.