You can change your refund destination, but the timing and method depend on where you are in the tax process

If you haven't filed your return yet, you can direct your refund to any bank account or prepaid card you own when you fill out the form. If you've already filed, the IRS can redirect a refund that hasn't been issued yet—but only to a different account at the same financial institution, and only if you request it within a specific window. Once the IRS deposits the money, you cannot reverse the deposit or move it through the IRS itself; you would need to move it yourself through your bank.

The rules are stricter than many people expect because the IRS treats refund routing as a security measure. Changing the destination after filing is possible but limited, and it requires you to act quickly and have the right information on hand.

Key Takeaways

  • Before you file, you can direct your refund to any bank account or prepaid card in your name by entering the routing and account numbers on your tax form.
  • After you file, the IRS can only redirect your refund to a different account at the same bank, and only before the money is deposited.
  • Once your refund is deposited into your account, the IRS cannot reverse it; you must transfer the money yourself through your bank.
  • To change your refund destination after filing, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 or use the IRS2Go app to check your refund status first.
  • The IRS processes refund changes during business hours, and the change must be requested before the deposit hits your account.

Changing your refund before you file

This is the easiest scenario. When you prepare your tax return—whether you use tax software, work with a preparer, or file by mail—you enter your bank account or prepaid card information directly on the form. The IRS calls this direct deposit, and it's the fastest way to receive a refund (typically 21 days or less from when the IRS accepts your return).

You can use any account in your name: a checking account, savings account, or prepaid card account. You'll need the routing number (a nine-digit code that identifies your bank) and your account number. Both appear on your checks or in your online banking portal. If you're unsure, call your bank or log into your account online.

If you change your mind before submitting the return, straightforward correct the account information before you file. There's no penalty or delay—you're just editing the form before it goes to the IRS.

Redirecting a refund after you've filed but before it's deposited

This is where the restrictions kick in. Once you've filed your return, the IRS can redirect your refund, but only under these conditions: the new account must be at the same financial institution as the original account, and you must request the change before the IRS deposits the money.

For example, if you filed directing your refund to your checking account at Bank of America, the IRS can redirect it to your savings account at Bank of America. They cannot redirect it to a checking account at a different bank.

To request a change, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. your local time). Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the refund amount ready. The IRS representative will verify your identity and process the change if the refund hasn't been deposited yet. You can also check your refund status in the IRS2Go mobile app or on the IRS website at irs.gov using "Where's My Refund?"—this tool tells you whether your refund has been issued.

The IRS processes these changes during business hours only. If you call on a weekend or holiday, you'll need to call back during the week. There's no fee, but there's also no may provide the change will go through if your refund is already in the deposit pipeline.

What happens if your refund has already been deposited

Once the IRS deposits your refund into your account, the agency cannot reverse the deposit or move the money. The refund is now in your bank's system, not the IRS's. If you need the money in a different account, you must transfer it yourself through your bank.

This is a straightforward bank transfer: log into your account online or call your bank and move the money to another account you own. Most banks process transfers between your own accounts when ready or within one business day, and there's no fee. If you need to move the money to an account at a different bank, you can set up an external transfer, which typically takes one to three business days.

If someone else deposited money into your account by mistake, or if you believe the deposit was fraudulent, contact your bank when ready. Your bank can investigate and potentially reverse the deposit, but the IRS cannot.

Changing your refund destination if you haven't received it yet

If you filed your return weeks ago and still haven't received your refund, check the status before you try to change the destination. Use "Where's My Refund?" on irs.gov or in the IRS2Go app. This tool shows you whether the IRS has accepted your return, whether it's being processed, whether it's been approved, and whether it's been issued (deposited).

If the status says "Accepted" or "Processing," your refund hasn't been issued yet, and you may be able to redirect it. If it says "Issued," the money has been deposited, and you'll need to transfer it yourself. If the status hasn't updated in several weeks, or if you see an error in the information shown, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to speak with a representative.

Refund delays can happen for several reasons: the IRS is reviewing your return for errors, you claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit (which the IRS verifies before issuing), or there's a discrepancy between your return and IRS records. These reviews can add weeks or months to your refund timeline. Changing the destination won't speed up the process, but it may help if you're no longer at the address on file or if the original account is closed.

What to do if the original account is closed or no longer available

If you filed your return directing the refund to an account that's now closed, the IRS will attempt to deposit the money anyway. Most banks reject deposits to closed accounts and return the money to the IRS. When this happens, the IRS issues a paper check instead, which is mailed to the address on your tax return. A paper check typically arrives within two to four weeks after the rejection, but it can take longer.

You can speed this up by calling the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 before the deposit is rejected. If you catch it in time, the IRS can redirect your refund to a different account at the same bank, or to a different bank entirely if you request it before the deposit attempt. Once the bank rejects the deposit, you're back to waiting for a paper check.

If you move before your refund arrives, update your address with the IRS using Form 8822 (Change of Address) or through your online IRS account. The IRS will hold your mail and forward it to your new address if you've filed a change-of-address form with the U.S. Postal Service, but it's safer to notify the IRS directly.

Prepaid cards and third-party accounts

You can direct your refund to a prepaid card account if the card has a routing number and account number—most do. However, some prepaid cards have limits on how much money can be deposited at once, or they may freeze accounts that receive large deposits as a fraud prevention measure. Check your card's terms before you file.

You cannot direct your refund to someone else's account, even if they're a family member or a tax preparer. The account must be in your name. If a tax preparer asks you to direct your refund to their account so they can deduct their fee, that's a red flag—legitimate preparers take payment separately, not from your refund.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my refund to go to a completely different bank after I've filed?

Not through the IRS. After you file, the IRS can only redirect your refund to a different account at the same bank. If you need it at a different bank, you'll have to wait for the deposit and transfer it yourself, or call the IRS before the deposit is issued and ask them to issue a paper check instead.

What if I filed my taxes months ago and still don't have my refund?

Check "Where's My Refund?" on irs.gov first to see the current status. If it says "Issued," the money was deposited and you should check your bank account. If it says "Processing" or "Accepted," call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to find out why it's delayed. Delays often happen when the IRS is verifying credits or reviewing your return for errors.

If my refund goes to the wrong account by mistake, can the IRS get it back?

Once the refund is deposited, the IRS cannot reverse it. You would need to contact the bank that received the deposit and ask them to return it. If the account belongs to someone else, they may be able to return the money, but it's not automatic. Contact your bank when ready if this happens.

Can I direct my refund to my spouse's account or my parent's account?

No. The account must be in your name. If you're married and file jointly, the account can be in either spouse's name or both, but not in a third person's name. If you need someone else to have access to the money, transfer it after it's deposited.

How long does it take for the IRS to process a refund change request?

The IRS processes changes during business hours, and if you call during the week, they can often make the change when ready if your refund hasn't been issued yet. However, there's no may provide—if your refund is already in the deposit pipeline, the change may not go through. Call as soon as you realize you need to change it.