Changing Your Bank Account for a Tax Refund

Yes, you can change the bank account where your tax refund lands, but the timing and method depend on whether you have already filed

If you have not yet filed your tax return, you can direct your refund to any bank account you own or have permission to use. You enter the account details on your return itself — routing number and account number — and the IRS sends the money there.

If you have already filed and the IRS has not yet processed your return, you can still change the account through the IRS website or by filing an amended return. Once the IRS has processed your original return and issued the refund, changing the destination account becomes much harder and usually requires contacting the IRS directly or waiting for the money to arrive and then moving it yourself.

The key variable is where you are in the filing and processing timeline. A return filed in early February sits in a different position than one filed in late April, and a refund already issued is a different problem entirely.

Key Takeaways

Before you file, you control which account receives your refund by entering the routing and account number on your return.
After you file but before the IRS processes your return, you can change the account through IRS.gov or by filing an amended return.
Once the IRS has processed your return and issued the refund, you cannot redirect it to a different account — the money goes to the account you originally listed.
If a refund lands in the wrong account, you will need to contact that bank and the IRS to trace and recover it, a process that can take weeks.
The IRS processes returns in the order they are received, so filing early gives you a longer window to make changes before processing begins.

Changing your account before you file your return

This is the simplest scenario. When you prepare your tax return — whether you use tax software, a tax professional, or paper forms — you will be asked for your bank details if you want direct deposit. You provide your routing number (a nine-digit code that identifies your bank) and your account number (usually 10 to 12 digits). You also specify whether the account is checking or savings.

You can use any account you have access to: a personal checking account, a savings account, a joint account with a spouse or family member, or even an account at a different bank than where you normally bank. The account does not have to be in your name alone, but you should have the account holder's permission.

Double-check the routing and account numbers before you submit your return. A single digit wrong sends your refund to someone else's account, and recovering it takes time and documentation. Most banks print both numbers on the bottom left of your checks, or you can find them on your bank's website or by calling customer service.

Changing your account after you file but before processing

The IRS processes returns in batches. A return filed in early February may be processed within two to three weeks. A return filed in mid-April, during the peak filing period, may sit in the queue for four to six weeks or longer. During this window — after you file but before the IRS processes your return — you can still change the account.

The fastest method is through the IRS website. Go to IRS.gov, find the "View Your Tax Account" tool, and log in with your credentials. If your return has been received but not yet processed, you should see an option to change your banking information. This works only if the IRS has not yet begun processing your return.

If you cannot change it through the website, or if you are unsure whether your return has been processed, you can file an amended return using Form 1040-X. This is a separate return that corrects information on your original return, including your bank account. File it as soon as you realize the account is wrong. The amended return goes to the back of the processing queue, so it will take longer, but it will update your refund destination before the original return is processed — if you file it quickly enough.

Do not file an amended return if the IRS has already processed your original return. That creates two separate refunds and two separate problems.

What happens once the IRS has processed your return

Once the IRS processes your return, it issues the refund to the account number you originally listed. At that point, you cannot change the destination. The money will go where you told it to go, even if that was a mistake.

You can check the status of your refund on IRS.gov using the "Where's My Refund?" tool. This tool tells you whether the IRS has processed your return, issued the refund, and sent it to your bank. If it shows "Refund Issued" or "Refund Sent to Your Bank," the account has been locked in and cannot be changed.

If the refund has been issued but has not yet arrived at your bank, contact the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040. Explain that the account number was wrong. The IRS may be able to intercept the refund before it reaches the bank, though this is not may provide. Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the correct account information ready.

Recovering a refund sent to the wrong account

If your refund has already arrived in the wrong account — because you entered the number incorrectly, or because someone else used your information — you will need to recover it through the bank and the IRS.

First, contact the bank where the refund landed. Explain that a federal tax refund was deposited to an account in error. The bank can see the deposit and may be able to reverse it if you ask quickly, usually within a few days. Some banks will reverse it when ready; others require documentation from the IRS or a police report if fraud is involved.

Second, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and report the error. The IRS can file a claim on your behalf to recover the money from the receiving bank. This process can take four to eight weeks. You will need your Social Security number, the date the refund was issued, the amount, and the account number where it landed.

If the receiving bank refuses to reverse the deposit and the IRS claim is denied, you may need to pursue the matter through small claims court or with a lawyer, depending on the amount and the circumstances. This is why double-checking your account number before you file is worth the two minutes it takes.

Using a different account for each year's refund

You can change your refund account from year to year without any problem. Each tax return is a separate filing, and you enter the account information fresh each time. If you changed banks, opened a new account, or straightforward want to direct this year's refund somewhere different, just enter the new account details on this year's return.

The account you used last year does not carry over. The IRS does not remember your previous account number. You have to tell it where to send the money every single year.

Refunds split between multiple accounts

If you want to split your refund between two accounts — for example, putting part into checking and part into savings — you can do this on your tax return. Most tax software and Form 1040 itself allow you to designate a primary account and a secondary account, with a dollar amount or percentage for each.

You will need routing and account numbers for both accounts. The IRS will deposit the primary amount to the first account and the remainder to the second. This works the same way as a single account: once the return is processed, the split is locked in and cannot be changed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my refund account if I filed through a tax professional?

Yes, but you need to act quickly. Contact your tax professional and ask them to file an amended return with the correct account information, or ask them to help you change it through the IRS website if the return has not yet been processed. If the return has already been processed, contact the IRS directly.

What if I entered the account number wrong by one digit?

The refund will go to whatever account that number belongs to, which may be someone else's account. Contact your bank and the IRS when ready. The IRS can file a claim to recover the money, but the sooner you report it, the better your chances of a quick reversal.

Does the account have to be in my name?

No. You can direct your refund to a joint account, a family member's account, or any account you have permission to use. The account does not have to match your tax filing status or your name on the return.

How long does it take for a refund to arrive after the IRS issues it?

Once the IRS issues the refund, it typically arrives at your bank within one to three business days. Some banks deposit it the same day; others take longer. Check with your bank if you do not see it within three business days of the IRS showing "Refund Issued" on their website.

Can I change my account if I owe taxes instead of getting a refund?

This question does not explore to refunds. If you owe taxes, you arrange payment separately through the IRS website or by check, and the account information is not part of your return.

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.