You can change your bank account on EFTPS through your online account or by phone, but the process depends on whether you've already scheduled a payment

The Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) lets you change your linked bank account at any time. If you change it before you schedule a payment, the new account will be used automatically. If you've already scheduled a payment and want to use a different account, you'll need to cancel that payment first, then add the new account, then reschedule. The fastest route is your EFTPS online account at www.eftps.gov, which updates when ready. Calling the EFTPS helpline at 1-800-555-3453 works if you don't have online access, but changes take up to one business day.

You'll need your routing number and account number from your new bank to complete the change. Both appear on a check, or you can find them by logging into your bank's website or calling your bank directly. Have these numbers ready before you start, whether you're using the online account or calling.

Key Takeaways

  • You can update your bank account through your EFTPS online account or by phone at 1-800-555-3453, and online changes take effect when ready for future payments.
  • If you've already scheduled a payment to an old account, you must cancel that payment before changing your bank account information.
  • You'll need your routing number and account number from your new bank, plus your EFTPS PIN or online login credentials to make the change.
  • A single wrong digit in your routing or account number will cause your payment to fail, so double-check both numbers before you submit.
  • You can link multiple bank accounts to EFTPS and choose which one to use each time you schedule a payment.

Changing your account through your EFTPS online account

Log in to www.eftps.gov using your username and password. Once you're logged in, look for a section labeled "Manage Bank Accounts" or "Bank Account Information" — the exact wording varies depending on when your account was created. Click on that section to see all accounts currently linked to your EFTPS account.

Find the account you want to remove or replace. Next to it, you should see an option to delete or deactivate it. Before you delete it, make sure no payments are scheduled to that account. If payments are scheduled, cancel them first (see the section below on canceling scheduled payments). Once you've confirmed no payments are pending, delete the old account.

Now add your new bank account. Click "Add Bank Account" or a similar button. You'll be asked to enter your routing number (the nine-digit code that identifies your bank) and your account number. Enter both numbers carefully — a mistake here will cause your payment to fail. After you enter the information, EFTPS will ask you to confirm the account type (checking or savings) and may ask for the account holder's name. Submit the form.

Your new account is now active and will be used for any future payments you schedule. The change takes effect when ready, and you can use this account for your next payment without waiting.

Changing your account by phone

Call the EFTPS helpline at 1-800-555-3453. The line is open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern Time. Have your routing number and account number ready before you call. You'll also need your EFTPS PIN or the password to your online account so the representative can verify your identity.

When you reach a representative, tell them you want to change your bank account information. They'll verify your identity by asking for your Social Security Number or Employer Identification Number, your PIN, and possibly other details. Once verified, provide your new routing number and account number. The representative will confirm the information back to you — listen carefully to make sure they have it right. Ask them to repeat both numbers if you're unsure.

Phone-based changes usually take up to one business day to appear in your EFTPS account. If you need to make a payment urgently, use your online account instead, which updates when ready. You can also call back the next day to confirm the change has been processed.

What to do if you've already scheduled a payment to the old account

If you've scheduled a payment but haven't yet made the account change, you have two options: cancel the payment and reschedule it to your new account, or let it go through to the old account and change your account for future payments. The choice depends on whether you want that specific payment to go to the new account or whether you can wait until the next payment.

To cancel a scheduled payment, log into your EFTPS account and look for "View/Cancel Payments" or "Scheduled Payments." Find the payment you want to cancel. You can cancel a payment up until 2 p.m. Eastern Time on the business day before the payment is due to be sent. If you miss that window, the payment will process and you cannot cancel it through EFTPS — you'll need to contact your bank or the IRS to dispute it.

Once the payment is canceled, change your bank account as described above, then schedule a new payment for the same amount on the same due date (or a later date if you prefer). This approach takes a few extra steps but ensures your payment goes to the right place. If the original due date has already passed when you reschedule, you'll owe penalties and interest from that original date forward.

Common mistakes when updating your bank account

The most frequent error is entering the routing number or account number incorrectly. A single wrong digit will cause your payment to fail or go to the wrong account. Before you submit, double-check both numbers against your check or your bank's website. If you're unsure, call your bank and ask them to read the numbers to you. This takes five minutes and prevents a failed payment.

Another common mistake is changing your account without canceling a payment that's already scheduled to the old account. The payment will still go through to the old account even after you've added a new one. If you realize this has happened, contact your bank when ready to see if they can reverse the payment, or contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to report the error. Some people also forget to update their account after their bank merges with another bank or after they switch banks entirely. If your bank changes its routing number or closes your account, your EFTPS payments will fail. Set a reminder to update EFTPS whenever you open a new account or switch banks.

What happens if a payment fails because of an incorrect account

If EFTPS attempts to send a payment to an account that doesn't exist or has incorrect information, the payment will be rejected by your bank. EFTPS will notify you of the rejection, usually within one to two business days. The money will be returned to the IRS, not to your bank account. You'll receive a notice in your EFTPS account or by mail explaining what went wrong.

Once you're notified of the rejection, you have two choices. You can reschedule the payment when ready using your corrected bank account information, or you can pay by another method (check, credit card, or direct debit). If you reschedule through EFTPS, the new payment date should be as soon as possible to avoid additional penalties and interest on the unpaid tax. If the original due date has already passed, you'll owe penalties and interest from that date forward, regardless of when you eventually pay. If you're unsure whether a payment went through, log into your EFTPS account and check your payment history. You can also call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to confirm whether the payment was received.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have multiple bank accounts linked to EFTPS at the same time?

Yes. You can add several bank accounts to your EFTPS account and choose which one to use each time you schedule a payment. This is useful if you have accounts at different banks or if you want to keep a dedicated account for tax payments. When you schedule a payment, EFTPS will ask you which account to use.

How long does it take for a bank account change to take effect?

Changes made through your online EFTPS account take effect when ready and are ready to use for your next payment. Changes made by phone can take up to one business day. If you need to make a payment right away, use the online method.

What if I enter the wrong routing number or account number?

Your payment will fail and be rejected by your bank within one to two business days. The money will be returned to the IRS. You'll need to correct your account information and reschedule the payment as soon as possible to avoid additional penalties and interest.

Can I change my bank account if I have a payment scheduled for today?

You can change your account, but the scheduled payment will still go to the old account. To use your new account for today's payment, you must cancel the scheduled payment before 2 p.m. Eastern Time, then reschedule it to the new account. If it's already past 2 p.m., the payment will process and you cannot cancel it through EFTPS.