You can change your EFTPS bank account through the IRS website, by phone, or by mail — the fastest route is online if you already have an EFTPS account set up

EFTPS (Electronic Federal Tax Payment System) is the IRS's official system for paying federal taxes electronically. If you need to change which bank account your tax payments come from — because you switched banks, closed an account, or want to use a different one — you have three ways to do it: through your EFTPS online account, by calling the EFTPS helpline, or by submitting a form by mail. The online method is fastest and takes about 10 minutes if you have your login credentials ready.

The account change itself is when ready in the system, but the timing of when it takes effect depends on which payment method you use and when you schedule the payment. If you have a payment already scheduled from your old account, you will need to cancel it before setting up a new one from the new account.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your EFTPS bank account online through your EFTPS account, by calling 1-800-555-3453, or by mailing Form 9779 to the IRS.
  • The online method is fastest and takes effect when ready, but any payment already scheduled from your old account must be cancelled first.
  • You will need your bank's routing number and your account number to add a new bank account to EFTPS.
  • If you are changing accounts because your bank is closing or merging, contact your bank first to confirm your new routing and account numbers.

Changing your account online through EFTPS

Log into your EFTPS account at eftps.gov using your username and password. If you do not have an EFTPS account yet, you will need to enroll first — this takes about 5 to 10 minutes and requires your Social Security number or EIN, bank account details, and a valid email address.

Once logged in, look for the "Manage Account" or "Account Information" section (the exact label varies slightly depending on whether you are an individual or business taxpayer). Select the option to add or change a bank account. You will be asked to enter your bank's routing number and your account number. Do not use a check or your memory — log into your bank's website or call your bank directly to confirm both numbers. A single digit wrong will cause payments to fail.

After you enter the new account details, EFTPS will display a confirmation screen. Review it carefully to make sure the routing number and account number are correct. The system will then ask you to confirm the change. Once you do, the new account is active in your EFTPS profile when ready.

Cancelling a payment scheduled from your old account

If you have a tax payment already scheduled to come from your old bank account, you must cancel it before the payment processes. Log back into EFTPS and look for "View Scheduled Payments" or "Payment History." Find the payment you want to cancel and select the cancel option. The cancellation takes effect when ready if the payment has not already been sent to your bank — typically this means you have at least one business day before the scheduled payment date.

Once the old payment is cancelled, schedule a new payment from your new bank account for the same amount and due date. The new payment will then process from your new account instead.

Changing your account by phone

Call the EFTPS helpline at 1-800-555-3453. You will need to verify your identity by providing your Social Security number or EIN and answering security questions. Have your new bank's routing number and your account number ready before you call.

Tell the representative that you want to change the bank account associated with your EFTPS account. They will walk you through entering the new routing and account numbers. The representative will confirm the change with you before it is processed. The change takes effect when ready, and you will receive a confirmation number — write it down.

If you have a payment already scheduled, ask the representative to cancel it at the same time and help you schedule a new payment from your new account. This prevents the risk of a payment going to the wrong account.

Changing your account by mail

read or request Form 9779 (EFTPS Taxpayer Information Change Form) from the IRS website or by calling 1-800-829-3676. Fill out the form with your new bank account information — you will need your bank's routing number and your account number. Sign and date the form, then mail it to the address listed on the form.

Processing by mail takes 7 to 10 business days after the IRS receives it. Because of this delay, the mail route is useful only if you do not have a payment scheduled soon. If you have a payment coming due within the next two weeks, use the online or phone method instead.

What happens if a payment goes to your old account by mistake

If a payment processes from your old account after you have closed it or after the bank has rejected it, contact your bank when ready. Explain that a federal tax payment was sent to an account that is no longer active. Your bank can sometimes reverse the transaction and return the funds to the IRS, though this depends on your bank's policies and how quickly you report it.

At the same time, log into EFTPS and check your payment history to see the status of the payment. If it shows as rejected or returned, you will need to schedule a new payment from your new account right away to avoid a late-payment penalty. Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 if you are unsure whether the payment went through or if you need to discuss a penalty.

Timing to know before you change accounts

EFTPS processes payments on the date you schedule them, not the date you set up the account. If you add a new bank account on a Tuesday but schedule a payment for Friday, the payment will process on Friday from that new account. The account change itself is when ready, but the payment timing depends on when you tell EFTPS to send the money.

If you are switching banks and your old bank is closing your account on a specific date, change your EFTPS account at least three business days before that date. This gives you time to test the new account with a small payment (if you want to) and catch any errors before a large tax payment is due.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have more than one bank account set up in EFTPS?

EFTPS allows you to have multiple bank accounts on file, but you can only schedule a payment from one account at a time. You choose which account to use when you schedule each payment. This is useful if you want to pay from a business checking account for some payments and a different account for others.

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

If you catch the error before the payment processes, log back into EFTPS and cancel the payment. Then schedule a new one with the correct account information. If the payment has already processed to the wrong account, contact your bank when ready and explain the situation. The bank may be able to reverse it, though this is not may provide.

Do I need to notify the IRS separately when I change my bank account?

No. Changing your account in EFTPS is all you need to do. The IRS system updates automatically, and you do not need to file any additional forms or call the IRS unless a payment fails or you need help with a penalty.

How long does it take for a new bank account to be active in EFTPS?

The account is active when ready after you confirm the change online or by phone. If you submit Form 9779 by mail, it takes 7 to 10 business days for the IRS to process it and set up the new account.

What if my bank merged with another bank and my routing number changed?

Contact your bank first and ask for your new routing number and confirm your account number is still the same. Then log into EFTPS and update your account information with the new routing number. Cancel any payments scheduled from the old routing number and reschedule them with the new one.