Why the IRS needs your current checking account details

The IRS sends stimulus payments by direct deposit when it has your correct bank account number and routing number on file. If your account information is outdated — because you closed that account, switched banks, or never gave the IRS your details in the first place — the payment gets rejected and sent back. A rejected payment delays your money by weeks or months while the IRS processes it a second way, usually by mailed check.

Updating your information before a stimulus payment is announced prevents this delay. Even if you have already received one stimulus payment, your account details may have changed since then, or the IRS may have incomplete information from a previous year's tax return.

Key Takeaways

  • The IRS accepts account updates through the IRS Direct File tool (free, on IRS.gov) or by filing a tax return with your current bank details before the payment is issued.
  • You will need your bank's routing number and your account number, both found on a check or by calling your bank.
  • Updates made after the IRS has already processed and rejected a payment will not recover the rejected deposit — you will receive a check or card instead.
  • If you do not have a checking account, you can receive stimulus payments on a prepaid card or by check, though both take longer than direct deposit.

Getting your routing number and account number

Before you update anything, gather two pieces of information from your bank: your routing number and your account number. The routing number identifies your specific bank branch. The account number identifies your individual account within that bank.

The easiest place to find both is on a check from your account. Look at the bottom left of the check. The first set of numbers (usually nine digits) is your routing number. The second set of numbers is your account number. If you do not have a check, call your bank's customer service number on the back of your debit card or on your bank's website. Tell them you need your routing number and account number for direct deposit. They will give you both numbers over the phone.

Write down both numbers before you proceed. You will need them exactly as they appear.

Updating through IRS Direct File

IRS Direct File is a free tool on IRS.gov that lets you file a straightforward tax return and update your bank details at the same time. You can use it if your tax situation is straightforward — you have W-2 income only, no business income, and no dependents beyond yourself and possibly a spouse.

Go to IRS.gov and search for "IRS Direct File." The tool walks you through a series of questions about your income and life situation. When it asks for direct deposit information, enter your routing number and account number. File your return through the tool. The IRS will use the bank details from that return for any stimulus payment issued after you file.

Direct File is available during tax season (usually January through October). If you file outside that window or your tax situation is too complex for Direct File, you will need to file a full tax return through a tax software company or a tax preparer instead.

Updating through a tax return filed another way

If you file a tax return using tax software (like TurboTax, H&R Block, or TaxAct) or through a tax preparer, you can enter your current bank details on the return itself. The IRS reads this information and updates its records when it processes your return.

When you reach the section asking for direct deposit information, enter your routing number and account number exactly as they appear on your check or from your bank. Double-check both numbers before you submit — an error here means the payment will be rejected.

File your return as you normally would. Once the IRS accepts your return (usually within a few days to a few weeks), your bank details are updated in their system.

What to do if you already received a rejected payment

If a stimulus payment was sent to an old account and rejected, updating your information now will not recover that rejected deposit. The IRS will not re-send it to your new account automatically. Instead, you will receive the payment by check or on a prepaid card, which takes longer.

You can still update your account information for any future stimulus payments or tax refunds. File a tax return with your current bank details as described above. The IRS will use your new information for any payments issued after that return is processed.

If you need to track down a rejected payment, you can check the status on IRS.gov using the "Where's My Refund?" tool, or call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. Have your Social Security number and filing status ready.

If you do not have a checking account

You do not need a checking account to receive a stimulus payment. If you do not have one, the IRS will send your payment by check or load it onto a prepaid card. Both methods take longer than direct deposit — typically several weeks.

If you want to open a checking account before a stimulus payment is issued, many banks and credit unions offer accounts with no minimum balance and no monthly fee. Some community banks and credit unions also offer accounts specifically for people new to banking. Once your account is open and you have your routing and account numbers, you can update your information with the IRS using the methods described above.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I update my account information after the stimulus payment has already been sent?

No. Once the IRS has processed and sent a payment, updating your information will not redirect it to your new account. If the payment was rejected by your old bank, you will receive it by check or card instead. You can update your information for future payments or tax refunds.

What if I enter the wrong routing number or account number?

The payment will be rejected by your bank and returned to the IRS. The IRS will then send it to you by check or card, which takes several additional weeks. To avoid this, double-check both numbers against a check or call your bank before you submit them.

Do I have to file a tax return to update my account information?

Yes. The IRS only updates account information when you file a tax return — either through Direct File, tax software, or a tax preparer. There is no other way to update your bank details with the IRS outside of filing.

Will updating my account information affect my tax refund?

No. Updating your account information straightforward tells the IRS where to send any direct deposits, including refunds and stimulus payments. It does not change how your taxes are calculated or what you owe.

How long does it take for the IRS to use my new account information?

Once the IRS accepts your tax return, your account information is usually updated within a few days to a few weeks. If a stimulus payment is issued after that point, it will go to your new account. If a payment is issued before your return is processed, it will go to your old account or be sent by check.