How to Update Your Bank Account Information With the IRS

You can change your bank account with the IRS, but the method depends on why you're changing it and what the IRS is using your account for

If the IRS has your old bank account on file—because you received a refund there, set up a payment plan, or enrolled in direct debit—you'll need to update it before the IRS tries to use the outdated information. The IRS does not have a single online form that changes your bank account across all their systems. Instead, the process varies depending on whether you're updating it for a refund, a payment, or an existing arrangement.

The fastest route for most people is to update your account information when you file your next tax return. If you need to change it before then, you have options—but they depend on what the IRS is actually using your account for right now.

Key Takeaways

• The IRS does not have one online form to change your bank account across all services; the method depends on whether you're updating it for a refund, a payment, or a payment plan.
• If you're expecting a refund, the safest approach is to update your banking information on your next tax return rather than trying to change it after you've filed.
• If you have an active payment plan or payment arrangement, you must contact the IRS directly by phone or mail to update your account; online tools do not handle this change.
• The IRS will not process a refund to a closed or incorrect account; if your account is no longer valid, your refund will be held until you provide correct information.

Updating your bank account for a refund you're expecting

If you have not yet filed your tax return and you want your refund sent to a different bank account, the simplest solution is to enter the correct account information when you file. Whether you file on paper or electronically, your bank details go directly on the return itself—there is no separate step.

If you have already filed and realize your account information is wrong, you cannot change it online through any IRS portal. Instead, you must contact the IRS directly. Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 (the main customer service line) and tell them your refund is going to the wrong account. Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the refund amount ready. The IRS can sometimes intercept the refund before it's deposited, but this works only if you call before the refund is processed—which usually happens within 21 days of filing electronically or longer if you filed on paper.

If the refund has already been deposited to the old account, you will need to contact that bank to reverse the deposit or transfer the money yourself. The IRS cannot retrieve money that has already left their system.

Updating your account for an active payment plan or payment arrangement

If you have set up a payment plan with the IRS (an installment agreement) or a payment arrangement, and you need to change the bank account they debit from, you cannot do this online. You must call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 or write to them using the address on your most recent notice.

When you call, have your agreement number ready (it appears on your payment plan notice). The IRS will update your account information in their system, and the change will take effect on your next scheduled payment. If your payment is due within a few days, ask the representative when the change will be active—you may need to make that payment from your old account to avoid a missed payment.

If you prefer to write, send a letter to the IRS address listed on your notice. Include your name, Social Security number, the agreement number, and your new bank account details (routing number and account number). Mail takes longer, so allow at least two weeks for processing.

Updating your account for IRS payments you make online

If you pay the IRS directly through their payment portal (IRS.gov/payments), you enter your bank account information each time you make a payment. You do not store an account on file. This means you can use a different account for each payment without notifying the IRS in advance.

However, if you have set up recurring payments or automatic debits through the IRS payment system, those are tied to a specific account. To change that account, you must cancel the existing arrangement and set up a new one with your updated bank details. You can do this through the IRS payment portal or by calling 1-800-829-1040.

What happens if the IRS tries to use a closed or incorrect account

If the IRS attempts to deposit a refund or debit a payment from an account that no longer exists or has incorrect routing information, the transaction will fail. The bank will reject it and return it to the IRS.

For refunds, a rejected deposit means your refund will be held. The IRS will send you a notice asking you to provide correct account information. You can respond by phone, mail, or through your IRS online account (if you have one set up). The refund will not be reissued until the IRS has valid account details.

For payments, a failed debit is treated as a missed payment. You will owe a failure-to-pay penalty and interest on top of the original amount. Contact the IRS when ready if a payment fails so you can arrange an alternative payment method and discuss penalty relief if the failure was not your fault.

Setting up an IRS online account to manage future changes

Creating an IRS online account (through IRS.gov) gives you access to your tax records and some account information, but it does not let you change bank account details that are already on file. What it does allow is viewing your refund status, payment history, and any notices the IRS has sent you.

An online account is useful for monitoring whether the IRS has received your return and when your refund is expected. If you see that your refund is going to the wrong account, you can call the IRS from that account page and have the representative help you update it while you're logged in—though the actual change still happens on the IRS side, not through the portal itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my bank account online through IRS.gov?

No. The IRS does not have an online form to change bank account information that is already on file. You must file a new return with updated details, call 1-800-829-1040, or mail a written request to the IRS address on your notice.

How long does it take for the IRS to process a bank account change?

If you call, the change is usually recorded when ready and takes effect on your next transaction (refund or payment). If you mail a request, allow two to three weeks. If you update your account on a new tax return, it applies to that return's refund only.

What if my bank account was closed after I filed my return?

Contact the IRS right away at 1-800-829-1040 with your new account information. If your refund has not yet been processed, the IRS can redirect it. If it has already been deposited to the closed account, your bank will reject it and return it to the IRS, which will then contact you for correct details.

Do I need to update my account if I'm changing banks but keeping the same account number?

Yes. The routing number identifies your bank, and it must match your account number for the transaction to go through. If you switched banks, your routing number changed even if your account number stayed the same. Update both pieces of information with the IRS.

Can the IRS change my bank account without my permission?

No. The IRS uses only the account information you provide on your return, in a payment arrangement, or through a direct request. They cannot update your account based on information from your bank or any other source.