Where stimulus checks go depends on what the government has on file

When the federal government sends a stimulus payment, it uses the bank account information from your most recent tax return. If that account is closed, inactive, or no longer yours, the payment either bounces back or arrives at an account you can't access. You cannot change this information directly through your bank — the IRS (Internal Revenue Service) is the only agency that can update what account the payment goes to.

The method you use depends on whether you've already filed a tax return for the year the stimulus was issued, and whether the payment has already been sent. If you catch it before the payment processes, you can update your information on the IRS website. If the payment already went to the wrong account, you'll need to claim it on your tax return instead.

Key Takeaways

  • The IRS pulls bank account information from your most recent tax return, so updating your bank account means filing a new return or using the IRS's online tool before the payment is sent.
  • If a stimulus payment was already sent to a closed or old account, you claim it on your next tax return rather than trying to redirect the payment.
  • The IRS Get My Payment tool lets you check the status of a payment and update your bank account if the payment hasn't been processed yet.
  • If a payment went to an account you no longer control, contact that bank to ask if the funds were returned to the IRS, then claim the payment on your tax return.

Using the IRS Get My Payment tool to update your account before payment is sent

The IRS maintains a tool called Get My Payment at irs.gov. This tool shows you the status of any stimulus payments issued under your Social Security number and lets you update your bank account information if the payment hasn't been deposited yet. You'll need your Social Security number, date of birth, and mailing address to log in.

Once you're in the tool, it will show you whether a payment has been mailed, is pending, or has already been deposited. If the status says "pending" or "not yet received," you can enter new bank account details. The IRS will then send the payment to the new account instead. If the status already shows "deposited," the payment has already been sent and you cannot redirect it through this tool.

This tool is most useful if you know a stimulus payment is coming but your bank account has changed since you filed your last return. Check it as soon as you hear that a new round of stimulus payments is being issued, because the window to update your information closes once payments begin processing.

What to do if the payment was already sent to the wrong account

If a stimulus payment was deposited into an account you no longer have access to — because you closed it, switched banks, or the account was frozen — you have two steps. First, contact the bank where the payment was sent and ask whether the funds were returned to the IRS. Banks are required to return payments sent to closed accounts, but this can take several weeks.

Second, claim the payment on your next tax return. When you file, you'll report the stimulus payment as income you received, even though you never actually got the money. The IRS will then send you the amount as a refund or credit it against taxes you owe. This process takes longer than a direct deposit — typically several weeks to months — but it ensures you receive the money.

Keep any documentation from your bank showing that the payment was returned or that the account was closed. You may need this if the IRS contacts you about the payment.

Filing a new tax return to update your bank account for future payments

If you haven't filed a tax return for the year a stimulus was issued, filing one now will update your bank account information with the IRS. When you file, use your current bank account details. If a payment hasn't been sent yet, the IRS will use the account from your return. If a payment was already sent to an old account, claiming it on your return will get you the money through a refund.

You can file a return through a tax software provider, a tax professional, or by mail using IRS forms. If your income is below a certain threshold (which varies by year and filing status), you may be able to file for free using IRS Free File. Check irs.gov to see whether you may have access to.

Why stimulus payments go to the account on your tax return, not your current bank

The IRS doesn't have a separate database of where you bank now. It only has the information you provided on your most recent tax return. This is why changing your bank account with your bank itself doesn't change where the government sends stimulus money — your bank has no way to tell the IRS about the change.

This system exists because tax returns are official documents the IRS can verify. If the government accepted bank account changes through any other channel, it would be much easier for fraud to occur. By tying stimulus payments to tax returns, the IRS can confirm your identity and may support the payment goes to someone authorized to receive it.

What happens if you share a bank account with someone else

If a stimulus payment was sent to a joint account and you no longer have access to it — because you and the account holder have separated, for example — you still own half of that money legally. Contact the account holder and ask them to transfer your portion to your current account. If they refuse, you may need to pursue the matter through a family law attorney or small claims court, depending on your situation.

If you cannot recover the money from the account holder, you can still claim the stimulus payment on your tax return. Report it as income you received, and the IRS will send you a refund for your portion. You'll need to document your attempt to recover the money from the joint account holder in case the IRS asks questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I call the IRS to change my bank account for a stimulus payment?

No. The IRS does not change bank account information over the phone. You must use the Get My Payment tool on irs.gov, file a new tax return, or wait and claim the payment on your next return. The IRS phone lines are often very busy and cannot process account changes.

What if the stimulus payment was sent to my old account but I still have access to it?

Leave the money in that account and do not spend it. Contact the bank and ask them to transfer it to your current account, or transfer it yourself if you can access the old account online. You do not need to claim it on your tax return if you actually received the money, even if it arrived in an old account.

How long does it take for the IRS to send a stimulus payment to a new bank account?

Once you update your account in Get My Payment, the IRS typically processes the payment within one to two weeks, though timing varies. Direct deposits usually arrive within three to five business days after the IRS sends them. If you're claiming the payment on your tax return instead, expect several weeks to months for a refund.

Do I need to update my bank account for every stimulus payment?

Only if your bank account has changed since your last tax return. The IRS uses the account from your most recent return for each new stimulus payment. If you filed a return with your current account information after the last stimulus was issued, you don't need to update anything.

What if I don't have a bank account and want the stimulus payment sent somewhere else?

Stimulus payments can only be sent to a bank account, prepaid debit card, or credit union account in your name. If you don't have one, you'll need to open an account before a payment can be deposited. Many banks and credit unions offer accounts with no minimum balance or monthly fees. Once you have an account, file a tax return with that account information, and future stimulus payments will go there.