You can change your refund method, but the timing and your options depend on where you are in the tax process
If you have not yet filed your tax return, you can choose any refund method you want when you file — direct deposit to a bank account, a paper check mailed to your address, or a debit card issued by the IRS. If you have already filed and your return is still being processed, you may be able to change your method through the IRS, though this depends on how far along your return is. Once the IRS has issued your refund, changing the destination becomes much harder and usually requires the refund to be intercepted or reissued, which takes additional time.
The method you choose affects when you receive your money. Direct deposit is fastest — typically five to seven business days after the IRS accepts your return. Paper checks take two to three weeks or longer depending on mail delivery. IRS debit cards arrive by mail in seven to ten business days but can be used when ready once activated, even if the physical card has not arrived.
Key Takeaways
- Direct deposit is the fastest refund method and reaches your bank account in five to seven business days after the IRS accepts your return.
- If you have not filed yet, you choose your refund method on your tax form or through your filing software with no restrictions.
- If your return is still processing, you may change your method by contacting the IRS directly, but this only works before the refund is issued.
- Once the IRS has issued your refund, you cannot change where it goes without filing a claim or requesting the check be reissued.
- Paper checks and debit cards take longer than direct deposit and are vulnerable to mail delays or loss.
Changing your method before you file
Before you file your return, you have complete freedom to choose your refund method. If you file on paper, you fill in your bank account number and routing number on Form 1040, or you select the debit card option. If you file electronically through tax software or a tax preparer, the software walks you through your refund choices and lets you pick direct deposit, paper check, or debit card at that point.
This is the easiest time to change your mind. If you decide you want direct deposit instead of a check, or a check instead of direct deposit, straightforward change your selection before you submit your return. There is no penalty and no delay — you just pick a different box.
Changing your method after you file but before the refund is issued
If you have filed your return and want to change how you receive your refund, contact the IRS directly. The IRS processes returns in the order they are received, and the window to change your method closes once your refund has been issued — which the IRS typically does within 21 days of accepting your return, though it can take longer if your return is flagged for review.
Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 (individual income tax) or 1-800-829-4933 (business). Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the refund amount ready. The IRS representative can confirm whether your return is still in processing and, if it is, change your refund destination. If your return has already been issued, the representative will tell you that and explain your options for intercepting or reissuing the refund.
You can also check the status of your return using the IRS Where's My Refund tool on IRS.gov. This tool shows you whether your return has been accepted, is being processed, or has been issued. If it shows "issued," your window to change the method has closed.
What happens if your refund has already been issued
Once the IRS has issued your refund, you cannot straightforward call and redirect it. Your options depend on which method was originally chosen and whether you can intercept the payment before it reaches you.
If your refund was issued as a direct deposit, it will land in the bank account you provided on your return. If that account is no longer active or belongs to someone else, contact your bank when ready — the bank may be able to reverse the deposit or hold it pending your instructions. If the account is active and belongs to you, the money is yours to use.
If your refund was issued as a paper check and you have not received it, you can request a replacement check from the IRS. Call 1-800-829-1040 and ask for a refund check reissue. The IRS will mail a new check, which takes an additional two to three weeks. If you receive the original check later, you can deposit it, but the IRS will eventually catch the duplicate and you will be asked to return one of them.
If your refund was issued as a debit card and you did not want it, you can refuse delivery or destroy the card once it arrives. The funds will remain on the card account and can be transferred to your bank account through the card issuer's website or app.
Changing your method if your refund went to the wrong account
If your refund was direct-deposited to an account that is not yours — because you provided the wrong routing or account number, or because someone else filed a fraudulent return in your name — you have a more serious problem that requires a different process.
If the account belongs to someone you know (a spouse, family member, or tax preparer), contact them directly and ask them to transfer the money back to you. If they refuse or if the account belongs to a stranger, file a report with the IRS and your bank. Contact your bank's fraud department and explain that a refund was deposited to your account in error or without your permission. The bank can initiate a reversal, though this process takes time and the receiving bank may dispute it.
File Form 3911, Taxpayer Statement Regarding Refund, with the IRS. This form tells the IRS that you did not receive your refund and asks them to investigate and reissue it. Mail the form to the IRS address listed in the instructions, or ask a tax professional to file it on your behalf. The IRS will investigate and, if they confirm the error, issue a replacement refund to you.
Debit card refunds and why they are different
The IRS offers a debit card option through a partner bank, usually MetaBank or Green Dot. When you choose this option, the IRS loads your refund onto a prepaid debit card and mails it to you. You can use the card when ready once it arrives, even before the physical card is in your hands, by registering it online.
The advantage is speed — the card is funded faster than a paper check arrives. The disadvantage is that if the card is lost or stolen in the mail, you have to contact the card issuer to report it and request a replacement, which adds another week or two. If you choose the debit card option and then change your mind, call the IRS before your return is issued and ask to switch to direct deposit or a paper check instead.
Why direct deposit is the safest choice
Direct deposit eliminates mail delays, lost checks, and the need to deposit a check at your bank. The money goes straight into your account and is available within five to seven business days. There is no physical item to lose or intercept. If you have a bank account, direct deposit is the fastest and most reliable refund method.
To use direct deposit, you need your bank's routing number and your account number. You can find both on a blank check, or call your bank and ask. When you file your return, enter these numbers in the direct deposit section. The IRS will verify them before processing your refund, so if you make a mistake, the IRS will reject the deposit and mail you a check instead — which delays you by several weeks.
Double-check your routing and account numbers before you file. If you are unsure, call your bank and confirm both numbers are correct.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my refund method if I already got a check in the mail?
No. Once you have received the check, you have the refund. You can deposit it at your bank, cash it, or hold it. You cannot ask the IRS to send it somewhere else or in a different form. If you lost the check or it was stolen, you can request a replacement check from the IRS by calling 1-800-829-1040.
What if I gave the IRS the wrong bank account number?
If your direct deposit went to the wrong account and you did not authorize it, contact your bank's fraud department when ready and file Form 3911 with the IRS. The IRS will investigate and reissue your refund to the correct account. This process takes several weeks. If the account belongs to someone you know, ask them to transfer the money back to you first.
Can I split my refund between two bank accounts?
Yes. When you file your return, you can direct a portion of your refund to one account and the remainder to another account, or to a paper check. Your tax software or Form 1040 has fields for multiple direct deposits. This only works if you have not yet filed — once your return is submitted, you cannot split a refund that has already been issued.
How long does it take to change my refund method if I call the IRS?
If the IRS has not yet issued your refund, a representative can change your method when ready over the phone. Your new method will be used when your refund is processed. If your refund has already been issued, the change cannot be made and you will need to request a reissue or intercept, which takes two to three additional weeks.
What if I filed my taxes through a tax preparer — can they change my refund method?
Your tax preparer can change your refund method before they file your return, but not after. Once your return is submitted to the IRS, only you or the IRS can change it. Contact your preparer when ready if you want to change your method before filing. If your return has already been filed, call the IRS directly.