How to Update Your Checking Account Information With the IRS

The IRS needs your current bank details to send refunds and make payments

The IRS uses your checking account information to deposit refunds directly and to collect payments you owe. If you change banks, move to a different account, or need to correct account details the IRS has on file, you have to update it yourself — the IRS does not automatically sync with your bank. The process depends on whether you are updating information for a refund that has already been processed, correcting details before filing, or changing the account the IRS should use going forward.

You cannot change your account information through the IRS website or by calling the main IRS line. Instead, you work directly with your bank or use specific IRS forms depending on your situation. The timing matters: if you change your account after the IRS has already issued a refund to the old account, recovering that money takes longer than if you update before filing.

Key Takeaways

If a refund was already sent to an old account, contact your bank first — they can sometimes recall or redirect the deposit within one or two business days.
To change the account for a future refund or payment, use Form 8888 (for refunds) or Form 1098-T, 1099 series, or payment vouchers (for payments), depending on the transaction type.
The IRS processes account changes only when you file your return or submit a form; there is no separate "update account" request you can make outside of a tax filing.
If the IRS sends money to a closed account, your bank will reject the deposit and return it to the IRS, which then issues a check — a process that adds four to six weeks.

Updating your account before you file your tax return

The simplest time to correct account information is before you file. When you prepare your return, you enter your routing number and account number in the direct deposit section. Double-check these details against your bank statement or your bank's website — a single wrong digit sends your refund to the wrong account or causes the deposit to fail.

If you are filing on paper, use the direct deposit boxes on Form 1040 (lines 33a, 33b, and 33c for routing number, account number, and account type). If you are using tax software or a tax preparer, they will ask for this information as part of the return preparation. The account you list is the one the IRS will use, so make sure it is current and belongs to you.

For payments you are making to the IRS — estimated tax payments, balance due with your return, or installment agreement payments — the account change process is different. You enter payment account details through the IRS payment portal (IRS.gov/payments) or through your tax software at the time you make the payment. The IRS does not store payment account information between years the way it stores refund accounts.

Changing the account after a refund has been issued

If the IRS has already sent your refund to an old account, your first step is to contact your bank, not the IRS. Call the customer service number on the back of your debit card or the phone number for your bank's main line. Tell them the refund was deposited to an account you no longer use or that the account is closed. Some banks can recall a deposit within one or two business days if it has not been withdrawn.

If your bank can recall the deposit, they will return it to the IRS automatically. The IRS will then reissue the refund — usually as a check, which takes four to six weeks. If your bank cannot recall it (because you withdrew the money, the account is closed and cannot receive deposits, or too much time has passed), you will need to contact the IRS directly.

To contact the IRS about a misdirected refund, call 1-800-829-1040 (the main IRS line) and explain that your refund went to the wrong account. Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the refund amount ready. The IRS can issue a replacement check, but this process typically takes six to eight weeks. You can also check the status of your refund using the IRS Where's My Refund tool on IRS.gov, which will show you if the deposit was rejected.

Using Form 8888 to split or redirect a refund

Form 8888 (Allocation of Refund) lets you direct your refund to up to three different accounts or split it among multiple accounts. This is useful if you want part of your refund in a savings account and part in checking, or if you want to send the refund to a different account than the one you normally use.

You attach Form 8888 to your tax return when you file. On the form, you list the routing number and account number for each account where you want the refund deposited, along with the dollar amount or percentage for each. The IRS will split the refund according to your instructions. This only works if you are filing a return that generates a refund — you cannot use it to change an account after the refund has already been issued.

Correcting account information the IRS already has on file

If you filed a return last year and the IRS has your old account information on file, you do not need to do anything to change it for this year — straightforward enter the new account details on your current return. The IRS uses the account information from the return you are filing now, not from previous years.

However, if you are receiving ongoing payments from the IRS (such as monthly advance Child Tax Credit payments, Economic Impact Payments, or installment agreement payments), you may need to update your account separately. For advance Child Tax Credit payments, you can update your account through the IRS Child Tax Credit Update Portal on IRS.gov. For other ongoing payments, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to request an account change.

What happens if you send money to the wrong account

If you are making a payment to the IRS and you enter the wrong account number, the payment will not go through. The IRS payment system validates account numbers before processing, so an incorrect number will cause the transaction to fail and you will be prompted to re-enter it. This is a safeguard — it prevents payments from being sent to the wrong place.

If you have already made a payment and realize the account information was wrong, contact the IRS when ready at 1-800-829-1040. Payments made through the IRS payment portal or through a tax professional are traceable, and the IRS can help you redirect the payment or issue a refund if the money went to the wrong account.

Timing: when the IRS processes your account change

The IRS processes account changes only when you file a return or submit a form that includes account information. There is no separate request form to update your account outside of a tax filing. If you change banks mid-year and you are not filing a return until next April, the IRS will not know about your new account until you file.

Once you file your return with the new account information, the IRS typically processes it within one to three business days. Direct deposits usually arrive within five to seven business days after the IRS accepts your return. If you are expecting a refund and you change banks after filing, you will need to contact the IRS to request a redirect or reissue.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my account information after I have already filed my return?

Not through a standard process. If your refund has not been deposited yet, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 with your Social Security number and filing information. They may be able to redirect it, but this is not may provide. If the refund has already been deposited to the old account, work with your bank to recall it.

What if I enter the wrong routing number or account number on my return?

The IRS will attempt to deposit your refund to that account. If the account does not exist or the number is invalid, the bank will reject the deposit and return it to the IRS. The IRS will then issue a check, which takes four to six weeks. Contact your bank when ready if you realize the error before the refund is processed.

Do I need to notify the IRS if I close my checking account?

No, but if you are expecting a refund and you close the account before it arrives, update your account information on your return or contact the IRS before the refund is issued. If the refund is sent to a closed account, the bank will reject it and the IRS will reissue it as a check.

Can I use a savings account instead of a checking account for my IRS refund?

Yes. When you enter your account information on your return, you specify the account type (checking or savings). The IRS can deposit to either. Make sure you enter the correct routing number for your bank and the correct account number for the savings account you want to use.

How long does it take for the IRS to process a refund after I update my account?

If you update your account on your return before filing, the IRS processes the refund within one to three business days of accepting your return, and the deposit arrives within five to seven business days. If you change your account after filing, the timeline depends on whether your bank can recall the original deposit — if not, expect four to six weeks for a replacement check.

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.