How to Give the IRS Your Checking Account Information

The IRS accepts your bank details through three main routes

You give the IRS your checking account information when you want them to deposit a refund directly into your account, or when you need to set up a payment plan for taxes you owe. The IRS does not ask for your account details by email, text, or unsolicited phone call — those are always scams. You initiate the process yourself, either through the IRS website, on your tax return, or by calling the IRS directly.

The three legitimate ways to share your account information with the IRS are: entering it on your tax return before you file, providing it through IRS.gov after you have filed, or giving it over the phone to an IRS representative when you call about a payment arrangement. Each route requires the same pieces of information from you, but the timing and what happens next differs.

Key Takeaways

The IRS needs your routing number and account number, both of which appear on the bottom left of your checks or in your bank's online portal.
If you are filing a tax return and expect a refund, you can enter your account details directly on the return before submitting it — this is the fastest way to receive your refund.
After you have filed, you can add or change your bank details through IRS.gov using your Social Security number and filing status, without logging in.
If you owe taxes and need to set up a payment plan, you will provide your account information during a phone call with the IRS or through their online payment agreement tool.
The IRS will never contact you first asking for your account number — if someone claiming to be from the IRS calls you, it is a scam.

What information the IRS actually needs from you

The IRS requires two pieces of information from your checking account: your routing number and your account number. Your routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies your specific bank or credit union. Your account number is unique to your checking account at that institution. Together, these two numbers tell the IRS exactly where to send money or where to pull a payment from.

Both numbers appear on the bottom left of any check you have from that account, printed in a specific order: the routing number comes first, then your account number. If you do not have checks, you can find both numbers by logging into your bank's website or mobile app — most banks display them in the account details or settings section. You can also call your bank's customer service line and ask for your routing and account numbers; they will verify your identity and provide them when ready.

Do not give the IRS your card number, PIN, password, or any other banking credential. The IRS will never ask for these. If someone claiming to represent the IRS requests anything beyond your routing number and account number, it is a scam.

Providing your account information when you file your tax return

If you are filing a federal income tax return and expect a refund, you can enter your checking account details directly on the return itself. This is the fastest way to receive your refund — direct deposit typically arrives within 21 days of the IRS accepting your return, whereas a paper check takes four to six weeks.

On Form 1040 (the main individual income tax return), there is a section labeled "Refund" near the bottom. You will see checkboxes asking whether you want your refund deposited directly or mailed as a check. If you choose direct deposit, you enter your routing number and account number in the spaces provided. The form also asks you to specify whether the account is a checking or savings account — select checking.

You can file your return on paper or electronically. If you file electronically through tax software (such as the IRS Free File program if you may have access to by income), the software will walk you through entering your account information and will validate the routing number before you submit. If you file on paper, write your numbers clearly and double-check them before mailing — the IRS cannot contact you if the numbers are wrong, and your refund will be rejected by the bank.

Adding or changing your account information after you have filed

If you have already filed your return but did not provide account information, or if you need to change the account where your refund should go, you can update this through IRS.gov without logging in. Go to the IRS website, find the "View Your Tax Account" tool, and select "Get Transcript." You will be asked for your Social Security number, date of birth, filing status, and the street address on your return. The IRS will verify this information and show you your account.

From there, you can view your refund status and, if your return has been accepted but not yet processed, update your direct deposit information. The tool will ask for your routing number, account number, and account type. If your return has already been processed and your refund issued to a different account or as a check, you cannot change it through this tool — you would need to contact the IRS directly or wait for the refund to arrive and then deposit it yourself.

This tool works even if you do not have an IRS online account or a login. The IRS uses the information you provided on your return to verify your identity. If you cannot remember your routing number or account number, you can look it up through your bank before you start, or complete the IRS tool later once you have that information.

Providing account information when you owe taxes

If you owe federal income taxes and want to set up a payment plan, you will provide your checking account information either through the IRS's online payment agreement tool or by phone with an IRS representative. The online tool is called the Online Payment Agreement, and it is available through IRS.gov. You enter your Social Security number, filing status, and tax year, then answer questions about your income and expenses to determine what monthly payment you can afford.

At the end of the Online Payment Agreement process, you will enter your routing number and account number. The IRS will then set up automatic withdrawals from your checking account on the date you choose each month. You can change the withdrawal date or cancel the agreement later by logging back into the tool or by calling the IRS.

If you prefer to speak with someone, you can call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 (the main customer service line) and ask about setting up a payment plan. An IRS representative will verify your identity, discuss your situation, and if you agree to a plan, will ask for your routing number and account number over the phone. Write down the confirmation number they give you before you hang up.

How the IRS uses your account information

Once the IRS has your checking account details, they use them in one of two ways: to deposit money into your account (if you are owed a refund) or to withdraw money from your account (if you have set up a payment plan). In both cases, the transaction appears on your bank statement as coming from or going to the U.S. Department of the Treasury or the IRS.

The IRS does not store your account information in a way that you can later retrieve or change through a straightforward online portal. If you need to change the account where your refund goes after you have filed, you must use the specific IRS tool mentioned above, or contact the IRS directly. If you need to change the account for a payment plan, you can update it through the Online Payment Agreement tool or by calling the IRS.

Your account information is encrypted when you enter it on IRS.gov or when you provide it over the phone to an IRS representative. The IRS does not share your banking details with any other agency or third party.

Red flags: how to spot IRS scams

Scammers impersonating the IRS often call, email, or text people claiming there is a problem with their account or that they owe money. They may ask for your account number, routing number, Social Security number, or other personal information. This is never legitimate. The IRS does not initiate contact by phone, email, or text to ask for banking information.

If the IRS needs to contact you, they will mail you a letter to the address on your tax return. The letter will have an official IRS letterhead, a specific notice number, and instructions on what to do next. If you receive a call, email, or text claiming to be from the IRS and asking for account information, hang up or delete the message when ready. Do not call the number they provide — look up the IRS phone number yourself on IRS.gov and call that number if you have questions.

If you have already given your account information to someone claiming to be from the IRS, contact your bank when ready and let them know. Your bank can monitor your account for unauthorized withdrawals and can help you find it. You can also report the scam to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) through their website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I give the IRS my savings account instead of my checking account?

Yes. The IRS accepts both checking and savings accounts for refunds and payment plans. When you enter your information, you will be asked to specify which type of account it is. The process is identical — you provide your routing number and account number, and the IRS will deposit or withdraw from whichever account you designate.

What happens if I give the IRS the wrong account number?

If you provide an incorrect account number on your tax return, the IRS will attempt to deposit your refund to that account. The bank will reject the deposit because the account number does not match any account at that bank. The IRS will then reissue your refund as a paper check, which takes an additional four to six weeks. To avoid this, double-check your routing and account numbers before you file.

Does the IRS charge a fee to set up direct deposit or automatic payments?

No. The IRS does not charge any fee for direct deposit of refunds or for setting up an automatic payment plan. If someone tells you there is a fee, it is a scam. Your bank may charge you a fee if you overdraft your account during an automatic withdrawal, but that is between you and your bank, not the IRS.

Can I use a joint checking account?

Yes. If the checking account is in your name or in your name and another person's name, you can provide that account number to the IRS. The refund or payment will go to or come from that account. If the account belongs only to someone else and not to you, do not use it.

How long does it take for the IRS to process my direct deposit information?

If you provide your account information on your tax return before you file, the IRS will use it once your return is accepted and processed — typically within 21 days. If you add your account information after filing through IRS.gov, it may take a few days for the change to process. If you provide it over the phone when setting up a payment plan, the IRS will confirm it when ready and your first automatic withdrawal will occur on the date you agreed to.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.