How to Update Your Bank Account Information With the IRS

You can update your bank account with the IRS through three main routes: online through your IRS account, by mail with Form 8888, or by phone during tax season

The IRS needs your current bank details to send refunds directly to your account instead of by check. If you've moved banks, closed an account, or need to correct information you provided on a tax return, you have options that don't require visiting an IRS office in person.

The fastest route for most people is logging into your IRS online account at IRS.gov. If you don't file taxes online, you can mail Form 8888 (Allocation of Refund) or call the IRS during tax season. The method you choose depends on whether you're updating information before you file, after you've already filed, or if you need to correct a return that's already been processed.

Key Takeaways

Create an IRS online account at IRS.gov to view your tax information and update bank details before filing your return.
If you've already filed and need to change where your refund goes, you must contact the IRS by phone or mail — you cannot change it online after filing.
Form 8888 lets you split a refund across multiple accounts or change the account that receives it, and you mail it with your tax return or separately.
The IRS phone line for refund questions is available year-round, but wait times are longest from January through April.
If the IRS deposits money into a closed or incorrect account, the bank will return it, and the IRS will reissue it — this process takes several weeks.

Updating your bank account before you file your return

The simplest time to update your bank information is before you file. If you're filing online through tax software or a tax professional, you'll enter your bank details as part of the filing process. Double-check the routing number and account number — the IRS will reject the deposit if either one is wrong, and your refund will be returned to the IRS, delaying it by weeks.

If you file a paper return by mail, include Form 8888 with your return to direct your refund to a specific account. You can also use Form 8888 to split your refund across two accounts — for example, putting part into savings and part into checking. Write your routing number and account number clearly in the spaces provided.

Before you submit anything, contact your bank to confirm both numbers. Routing numbers are often printed on the bottom left of your checks, but some banks have multiple routing numbers depending on where the account was opened. Your bank's website or a call to customer service will give you the correct one for your specific account.

Changing your bank account after you've already filed

If you've filed your return and realize you gave the IRS the wrong bank account, you cannot change it online. You must contact the IRS directly by phone or mail. Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 (this number works year-round, though wait times are much longer during tax season from January through April). Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the refund amount from your return ready when you call.

The IRS can change your bank information if your return hasn't been processed yet. Processing times vary — some returns are processed within two weeks, while others take longer if they're selected for review. If your return has already been processed and the IRS has issued your refund to the old account, you cannot stop the deposit. Instead, the bank that holds the old account will return the money to the IRS, which will then reissue it to the correct account. This adds two to four weeks to your timeline.

If you prefer not to call, you can mail a written request to the IRS address listed on your tax return instructions. Include your name, Social Security number, the tax year, your old bank information, and your new bank information. Mail it to the same address where you sent your return. The IRS will respond by mail, which takes longer than a phone call.

What happens if the IRS deposits money into the wrong account

If the IRS sends your refund to a closed account or an account with incorrect information, the receiving bank will reject the deposit and return it to the IRS within one to three business days. The IRS then has to reissue the refund, which takes an additional five to seven business days. In total, you're looking at two to three weeks of extra delay.

You don't need to do anything while this happens — the IRS tracks returned deposits automatically. However, you should monitor your account to confirm the refund arrives. If more than three weeks have passed since the IRS said it issued your refund and you still haven't received it, call 1-800-829-1040 to check the status. Have your return information ready.

If a refund was deposited into someone else's account by mistake (for example, if you and a spouse share an account number but the IRS used the wrong routing number), contact the IRS when ready. The bank that received the deposit cannot release it without IRS authorization, so the IRS will need to file a claim to recover it. This is rare but takes longer to resolve than a straightforward returned deposit.

Using Form 8888 to split or redirect your refund

Form 8888 is the IRS form for directing your refund to a bank account and, if you want, splitting it across multiple accounts. You might use this to put part of your refund into a savings account and part into checking, or to send money to a different account than the one you normally use.

You can file Form 8888 in two ways: include it with your tax return when you file, or mail it separately to the IRS after you've filed. If you're filing electronically through tax software, the software will usually let you enter the account information directly without needing the form. If you're mailing a paper return, print Form 8888, fill in your account details, and attach it to your return.

If you've already filed without Form 8888 and want to split your refund now, you can mail the form to the IRS separately. However, the IRS can only honor it if your return hasn't been processed yet. Call 1-800-829-1040 first to ask whether your return has been processed. If it has, the form won't change where your refund goes — you'll need to contact the IRS by phone instead.

Setting up an IRS online account to manage your information

Creating an IRS online account at IRS.gov gives you a permanent way to view your tax information and update details without calling or mailing forms. You'll need to verify your identity using either a Social Security number and filing status, or by connecting a financial institution account (the IRS will verify you own it by checking small deposits).

Once your account is set up, you can view your filing history, check the status of a refund, and see what information the IRS has on file for you. However, you cannot change your bank account information through the online account if you've already filed — you can only update it before filing. The account is useful for confirming what the IRS has recorded and for checking refund status without calling.

If you file taxes every year, setting up an account once saves time in future years. You can also use it to view notices the IRS sends you and to respond to certain requests without mailing documents back.

Correcting bank information on a return the IRS is reviewing

If the IRS has selected your return for review or audit, you may need to correct bank information as part of that process. The IRS will contact you directly if this is necessary. Do not mail Form 8888 or call unprompted — wait for the IRS to tell you what to do.

If you receive a notice from the IRS about your return and you realize your bank information is wrong, include a note with your response explaining the error and providing the correct details. The IRS will update its records and use the correct account when it issues your refund.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my bank account information through the IRS website after I've filed?

No. You can only update bank information online before you file your return. Once you've filed, you must call 1-800-829-1040 or mail a written request to the IRS. The phone line is faster, especially if your return hasn't been processed yet.

What if I give the IRS the wrong routing number or account number?

The IRS will attempt the deposit, the bank will reject it, and it will be returned to the IRS within a few days. The IRS will then reissue your refund to the correct account if you've provided one, or by check if you haven't. This adds two to three weeks to your refund timeline.

How long does it take the IRS to process a bank account change after I call?

If your return hasn't been processed yet, the change can take effect when ready. If your return has already been processed and your refund issued, you cannot stop the deposit — you must wait for the bank to return it and the IRS to reissue it, which takes two to three weeks total.

Can I use Form 8888 to split my refund after I've already filed?

Only if your return hasn't been processed yet. Call 1-800-829-1040 to check. If processing has started, the form won't work — you'll need to contact the IRS by phone to request the split instead.

What information do I need to give the IRS to update my bank account?

You'll need your routing number (the nine-digit code at the bottom left of your checks, or from your bank) and your account number. Confirm both with your bank before providing them to the IRS, because errors will cause the deposit to be rejected.

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.