The IRS needs your current bank details to send refunds directly

The IRS uses your checking account information to deposit tax refunds, make advance payments on tax credits, and send economic impact payments. If you move banks, close an account, or need to correct information the IRS has on file, you have three main routes: update it yourself through IRS.gov, file an amended return, or contact the IRS directly. The fastest method depends on what you're correcting and whether you've already filed.

The IRS does not automatically update your bank details when you change banks. If your old account is closed and the IRS tries to deposit a refund there, the bank will reject it and the money goes back to the IRS. You'll then have to wait for a paper check or contact the IRS to reissue the deposit. Starting the update now, before you file or before a refund is issued, prevents this delay.

Key Takeaways

  • You can update your bank information on IRS.gov using your login credentials, but only if you have not yet filed your return for that tax year.
  • If you've already filed and need to change your bank details, you must file an amended return (Form 1040-X) or call the IRS to request a reissue to a new account.
  • The IRS accepts updates through their online account portal, by phone at 1-800-829-1040, or by mailing Form 8453 with your return.
  • A rejected deposit takes 4 to 6 weeks to return to the IRS, then another 2 to 4 weeks to reissue, so correcting your account early saves time.
  • If you're expecting a refund and your account information changes, contact the IRS before the deposit is attempted rather than waiting for a rejection.

Updating your account before you file your return

If you have not yet filed your tax return for the current year, you can enter or correct your bank information directly on IRS.gov. Log in to your IRS online account using your username and password, or create one if you don't have it. Go to the "Tax Records" section and look for "Banking Information" or "Direct Deposit." Enter your routing number and account number, then save the changes.

This information will carry forward to your return when you file. If you're using tax software to prepare your return, you can also enter your bank details there before you submit. The software will include it on your return automatically. Do not rely on the IRS to have your information from a previous year—banks change, accounts close, and old data can cause rejections.

Correcting your account after you've already filed

Once you've filed your return, you cannot straightforward log in and change your bank details. The IRS has locked your return information. If you need to update your account before a refund is issued, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and speak to a representative. Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the refund amount from your return ready. The IRS can update your account over the phone and reissue the deposit to your new bank.

If a refund has already been deposited to a closed or incorrect account, you'll need to file an amended return using Form 1040-X. This form allows you to correct information on a return you've already filed, including your bank details. Mail the form to the IRS address for your state (listed in the Form 1040-X instructions). Processing an amended return takes 16 weeks or longer, so this is slower than calling ahead.

What information the IRS needs from you

The IRS requires your routing number and account number. Your routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies your bank; your account number is unique to your specific checking account. Both appear on the bottom left of your checks. If you don't have a check, call your bank or log into your online banking portal to find these numbers.

Do not guess or use a number you think is correct. A single digit wrong will cause the deposit to fail. The IRS will not attempt to correct a mistyped number—the bank will reject it, and the money returns to the IRS. Write down both numbers carefully before you enter them anywhere.

When a deposit fails and money returns to the IRS

If the IRS deposits to a closed account or an incorrect account number, the bank rejects the deposit within 1 to 3 business days. The money then travels back to the IRS, a process that takes 4 to 6 weeks. Once the IRS receives it back, they hold it for 21 days before reissuing. You can then request a new deposit to your correct account, which takes another 7 to 10 business days.

The total delay from rejection to reissue is typically 6 to 8 weeks. During this time, you won't have access to your refund. You can check the status of a returned deposit by calling the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 or checking "Where's My Refund?" on IRS.gov, though the tool may show the original deposit date for several weeks after rejection.

Updating your account for ongoing IRS payments

If you receive regular payments from the IRS—such as monthly advance payments on the Earned Income Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit—updating your account information is especially important. These payments are issued on a set schedule, and a rejected deposit means you miss that month's payment. Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to update your account for ongoing payments, or update it through your IRS online account before the next payment date.

For advance Child Tax Credit payments, you can also update your bank information through the Child Tax Credit Update Portal on IRS.gov. This portal is separate from your main IRS account and allows you to manage your payment method and address without filing a new return.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I update my bank information on the IRS website if I've already filed?

No. Once you file, the IRS locks your return information and you cannot change it through their website. You must call 1-800-829-1040 to update your account over the phone, or file an amended return if the refund has already been rejected and returned.

What happens if I enter the wrong account number?

The bank will reject the deposit within a few days. The money returns to the IRS over 4 to 6 weeks, then the IRS holds it for 21 days before reissuing. You can request a new deposit to the correct account, but the total delay is usually 6 to 8 weeks. Call the IRS when ready if you realize the number is wrong before the deposit is attempted.

Do I need to update my account every year?

Only if your account information has changed. If you use the same checking account year to year, you do not need to re-enter it. However, if you changed banks or closed an account, you must update it before you file or before a refund is issued.

How do I find my routing number and account number?

Both numbers appear on the bottom left of your checks. The first nine digits are your routing number; the longer number after that is your account number. If you don't have checks, call your bank or log into your online banking portal to find them.

Can I update my account information by mail?

Yes, but it's slower. You can include your updated bank information on Form 8453 (U.S. Individual Income Tax Transmittal for an IRS e-file Return) when you mail your return. You can also mail Form 1040-X (Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return) if you've already filed. Mail processing takes several weeks, so calling the IRS is faster if you need the change made quickly.