The IRS needs your current bank details to send refunds and make payments
If you've changed banks, closed an account, or need to update the checking account on file with the IRS, you have three main routes: update it through your online IRS account, mail a signed form, or call the IRS directly. The method you choose depends on whether you're updating before filing a return, after filing, or in response to a notice from the IRS.
The fastest option is usually your online IRS account if you have one set up. If you don't have online access or prefer to handle it by mail or phone, those routes work too—they just take longer. The key is getting the information updated before the IRS tries to deposit a refund or collect a payment to an account that no longer exists or isn't yours.
Key Takeaways
- You can update your checking account information through your IRS online account, by mailing Form 8888 or a signed statement, or by calling the IRS at 800-829-1040.
- If you're updating before you file your return, include the correct account details on your tax form itself rather than updating separately afterward.
- After you file, changes to your bank information take effect for future transactions—they don't change where a refund already in process will go.
- The IRS processes account updates within two to four weeks by mail, and when ready if you update through your online account.
- If the IRS sends a refund to a closed or wrong account, the bank will return it and the IRS will reissue it once they receive the returned payment.
Updating your account before you file your return
The simplest time to fix your checking account information is before you file. If you're preparing your return and know your bank details have changed, just enter the correct routing number and account number directly on the form you're filing—whether that's Form 1040, Form 1040-SR, or whichever return applies to you.
When you file with the correct information already on the form, the IRS has it from the start and there's no need for a separate update. This is the cleanest approach because it eliminates the step of updating after filing and reduces the chance of a refund going to the wrong place.
If you're filing electronically through a tax software or tax professional, you'll enter your bank details as part of the return itself. If you're filing by mail, write your routing and account numbers clearly on the form in the spaces provided for direct deposit information.
Updating your account after you've already filed
If you've filed your return and then realized your bank information is wrong, you can still update it—but timing matters. If the IRS hasn't processed your refund yet, the update will take effect and your refund will go to the new account. If the refund is already in process or has been issued, the update won't redirect it.
To update after filing, log into your IRS online account (IRS.gov, under "View Your Tax Account"), find the return in question, and update the bank details there. This is the fastest method and takes effect when ready in the IRS system. If you don't have an online account, you can set one up using your Social Security number, date of birth, filing status, and either your street address or prior-year tax return information.
If you prefer not to use the online account, you can mail Form 8888 (Allocation of Refund) or a signed letter to the IRS stating your old account information and new account information, along with your name, Social Security number, and the tax year in question. Mail it to the IRS address for your state (found on the IRS website under "Where to File"). Processing by mail takes two to four weeks.
Calling the IRS to change your account information
You can also call the IRS directly at 800-829-1040 to update your checking account. Have your Social Security number, the tax year, your old account details, and your new routing and account numbers ready. The IRS representative will update your account in the system while you're on the phone.
Wait times vary significantly depending on the time of year and day of the week. During tax season (January through April), hold times can stretch to an hour or more. Outside tax season, you may reach someone within 15 to 30 minutes. The update takes effect when ready once the representative confirms the change.
If you're calling because the IRS sent a refund to a closed account or the wrong bank, mention that when you call. The IRS can note your account in the system and may be able to track the status of the returned refund and reissue it to the correct account faster.
What happens if a refund goes to the wrong account
If the IRS deposits your refund to a closed account or an account that isn't yours, the bank will reject the deposit and return it to the IRS. This is called a "returned item." The IRS receives the returned refund, updates their records, and reissues it to the correct account or as a check.
The reissue process typically takes four to six weeks from the time the IRS receives the returned deposit back from the bank. You can check the status of a returned refund through your IRS online account or by calling 800-829-1040. Have your Social Security number and the tax year ready.
If you deposited the refund into someone else's account by mistake, contact that person and ask them to return the funds. If they won't, you may need to report it to your bank or law enforcement. The IRS won't recover the money for you—that's a civil matter between you and the account holder.
Updating your account for payment plans or installment agreements
If you owe taxes and have set up a payment plan with the IRS, you can update the checking account they'll withdraw from using the same three methods: your online account, by mail, or by phone. This is especially important if the account you originally provided is no longer active.
If you update your account after a withdrawal has already been scheduled, the change may not take effect in time for the next payment. Call the IRS at 800-829-1040 to confirm when your next scheduled withdrawal is and whether your new account information will be used for it. If there's any doubt, you can request a new payment date to may support the withdrawal comes from the correct account.
Information you'll need to provide
Regardless of which method you use to update your account, have this information ready: your full name, Social Security number, the tax year you're updating, your old routing number and account number (if you're replacing an existing account), and your new routing number and account number.
Your routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies your bank. Your account number is the number assigned to your specific checking account. Both appear on the bottom left of your checks. If you don't have checks, call your bank or log into your online banking portal—both will show you these numbers.
Make sure the account is in your name or in the names of both spouses if you're filing jointly. The IRS won't deposit to an account in someone else's name alone. If you're filing jointly and want the refund to go to a joint account, both names should be on the account.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for the IRS to process a checking account change?
If you update through your online IRS account, the change takes effect when ready. If you mail a form or letter, allow two to four weeks. If you call, the change is processed while you're on the phone. The timing only matters if you're trying to redirect a refund that hasn't been issued yet.
Can I change my account information if I'm on a payment plan?
Yes. Update it through your online account, by mail, or by phone using the same methods. If a withdrawal is scheduled within the next few days, call 800-829-1040 to confirm the new account will be used or to request a new payment date.
What if I filed jointly but only one spouse's name is on the new checking account?
The IRS can deposit to an account in one spouse's name alone if that spouse is the primary taxpayer on the return. However, it's cleaner to use a joint account if both spouses are on the return. If you only have access to a single-name account, call the IRS at 800-829-1040 to confirm they'll accept it before you update.
Do I need to update my account if I'm getting a check instead of direct deposit?
No. If you've requested a check or the IRS is issuing a check for any reason, your bank account information doesn't matter. The check will be mailed to the address on file with the IRS.
What if the IRS already sent my refund to the wrong account and I can't get it back?
Contact your bank when ready and report the unauthorized deposit. Your bank may be able to reverse it or help you recover the funds. If the account holder won't return the money, you can file a police report or small claims lawsuit, but the IRS won't intervene in disputes over who owns the deposited funds.