You can change your refund method, but the timing and process depend on where you are in the tax cycle
If you have not yet filed your return, you can choose any refund method you want when you file — direct deposit to a bank account, a check mailed to your address, or a debit card issued by the IRS. If you have already filed and the IRS has not yet processed your return, you may be able to change the method through the IRS website or by contacting the IRS directly. Once the IRS has processed your return and issued your refund, changing the method becomes much harder and usually requires waiting for the next tax year.
The method you choose affects when you receive your money and what happens if something goes wrong. Direct deposit is fastest — typically five to seven business days after the IRS processes your return. A check takes two to three weeks by mail. A debit card arrives by mail but can be used when ready once it arrives. Understanding which stage your refund is in right now is the first step to knowing whether a change is still possible.
Key Takeaways
- Direct deposit is the fastest refund method and reaches your account in five to seven business days after processing, while checks take two to three weeks.
- You can change your refund method when you file your return, but only before the IRS processes it if you have already filed.
- Once the IRS has issued your refund, you cannot change the method — you must receive it the way you requested, then deposit or cash it yourself if needed.
- The IRS tracks your refund status through Where's My Refund, which shows whether it has been processed, approved, or issued.
Changing your method before you file
This is the easiest time to make a change. When you file your tax return — whether through tax software, a tax professional, or by paper — you will be asked how you want to receive your refund. You can choose direct deposit, a check, or in some cases a debit card.
If you use tax software like TurboTax, H&R Block, or TaxAct, the refund method question appears in the final steps before you submit. If you work with a tax professional, they will ask you this question during your appointment or intake. If you file by paper, you will write your choice on Form 1040 itself — the form has a box for direct deposit information and a box to request a check instead.
Direct deposit requires your bank account number and routing number. You can find both on a blank check, or call your bank to ask. If you do not have a bank account, you can request a check or, in some cases, a prepaid debit card that the IRS issues.
Changing your method after you file but before processing
If you have already filed and want to change how you receive your refund, you have a narrow window. You can change your method only if the IRS has not yet processed your return. Once processing begins, the method is locked in.
To check whether your return has been processed, use the IRS tool Where's My Refund at irs.gov. Enter your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your return. The tool will tell you one of three things: your return is still being processed, your return has been approved and your refund is on the way, or your refund has been issued.
If the tool says your return is still being processed, you can attempt to change your refund method by calling the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the refund amount ready. The IRS cannot may provide the change will go through — it depends on how far along the processing is — but it is worth attempting if you filed recently.
If you filed by paper and want to change your method before processing, you can also mail a signed letter to the IRS service center where you sent your return. The letter should include your name, Social Security number, the tax year, and your new refund method. However, mail takes time to reach the IRS, so this method only works if you filed very recently.
What happens after the IRS has processed your return
Once the IRS has processed your return and approved your refund, you cannot change the method. The refund will be issued the way you requested when you filed. If you requested direct deposit, the money will go to the bank account you provided. If you requested a check, a check will be mailed. If you requested a debit card, a card will be mailed.
This is true even if you change your mind, move to a new address, or close the bank account you listed. If your direct deposit goes to a closed account, the bank will reject it and the IRS will mail you a check instead — but this takes additional time, usually several weeks. If you move and do not update your address with the IRS, a check will be mailed to the address on file, and you will need to contact the IRS to have it reissued if it does not reach you.
Redirecting a refund that was issued to the wrong place
If your refund was deposited into a bank account you no longer use, or if a check was mailed to an old address, you have options depending on what happened.
If direct deposit went to a closed account, contact your bank and ask whether the deposit was rejected. If it was, the IRS should have received the rejection and will mail you a check instead. This process takes four to six weeks from the original deposit date. You can check the status using Where's My Refund.
If a check was mailed to an old address and you did not receive it, you can request a replacement check by calling the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 or by mailing Form 3911 (process for IRS Transcript) to the IRS service center for your state. The IRS will issue a new check, which takes about four weeks.
If a check arrived at your old address and someone else received it, the situation is more complicated. Contact the IRS when ready at 1-800-829-1040 to report it. The IRS may be able to place a stop on the check and issue a new one, but this depends on whether the check has already been cashed.
Why direct deposit is harder to change than you might think
Many people want to change their refund method because they provided the wrong bank account number when they filed. This is a common mistake, especially if you recently switched banks or if you were filing quickly.
If you provided the wrong account number and the IRS has not yet processed your return, calling the IRS may allow you to correct it. If the return has already been processed, the refund will go to the account number you provided, even if it is wrong. The bank will reject it, and the IRS will mail you a check instead.
To avoid this, double-check your bank account number and routing number before you file. A single digit wrong means the deposit will fail. If you are unsure, call your bank or look at a blank check — both will confirm the correct numbers.
Changing your method for next year's refund
If you cannot change this year's refund method, you can certainly change it for next year. When you file your 2024 return in early 2025, you will be asked again how you want to receive your refund. You can choose a different method, provide a different bank account, or request a check instead of direct deposit.
If you are filing with a tax professional, mention your preference at the start of your appointment. If you are using software, the refund method question will appear in the final steps. If you are filing by paper, you will fill in the refund method on Form 1040 itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my refund method if the IRS says my refund is on the way?
No. Once the IRS shows your refund as "on the way" or "issued" in Where's My Refund, the method cannot be changed. The refund will arrive the way you requested when you filed. If you need it in a different form, you will have to receive it first, then deposit or cash it yourself.
What if I provided the wrong bank account number?
If your return has not been processed yet, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to correct it. If it has already been processed, the deposit will fail and the IRS will mail you a check instead, which takes several additional weeks. Always verify your account number before filing.
How long does it take to change my refund method if I call the IRS?
The IRS cannot may provide a change will go through if you call. It depends on how far along your return is in processing. If you call within a few days of filing, there is a better chance. If your return is already being processed, the change may not take effect.
Can I split my refund between two bank accounts?
Yes, but only when you file your return. Most tax software and Form 1040 allow you to split your refund into up to three separate accounts. You cannot change this after filing — the split will happen the way you set it up.
What if a check was mailed but I never received it?
Contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 or mail Form 3911 to your regional IRS service center. The IRS can issue a replacement check, which takes about four weeks. Have your Social Security number and the refund amount ready.