How to Split Your Tax Refund Between Two Bank Accounts

Yes, you can split your refund into two accounts, but only through the IRS form and only if you file electronically

The IRS allows you to direct your refund to up to three separate bank accounts or prepaid cards in a single tax year. You do this by filling out Form 8888 (Allocation of Estimated Tax Payments to Estimated Tax), which you attach to your tax return. The split happens before the money leaves the IRS—you're not moving it after it arrives in one account.

This only works if you file your return electronically. If you file on paper, the IRS will not process Form 8888, and your entire refund will go to whichever account you listed on your main return. Paper filers have no way to split a refund.

The IRS does not split refunds by percentage or formula. You specify an exact dollar amount for each account. If your refund is $1,200 and you want $500 in one account and $700 in another, you write those numbers on the form. The math has to add up to your total refund, or the IRS will reject the split and send everything to your primary account instead.

Key Takeaways

You need Form 8888 attached to an electronically filed return; paper returns cannot split refunds.
You assign exact dollar amounts to each account, not percentages, and the total must equal your refund.
The IRS accepts up to three separate accounts—checking, savings, or prepaid debit cards.
Each account needs a routing number and account number, and they must be in your name or a spouse's name if filing jointly.
The split happens at the IRS before the money moves, so you do not need to coordinate with your banks.

What information you need for each account

For each account you want to receive part of your refund, you will need the routing number (a nine-digit code that identifies your bank) and the account number (usually 10 to 12 digits). Both appear on the bottom left of a check, or you can call your bank and ask for them.

The account must be in your name, your spouse's name (if filing jointly), or both. You cannot split a refund into an account belonging to someone else—a parent, friend, or business partner. If you file jointly, both spouses can have accounts in their individual names, but not a third party's account.

Prepaid debit cards work as long as they have a routing number and account number. Some prepaid cards do not accept direct deposits, so check with your card issuer before you file. If the card rejects the deposit, the IRS will not automatically send the money elsewhere—you will have to contact the IRS to redirect it, which takes weeks.

How to fill out Form 8888

Form 8888 has three sections, one for each account. You only fill in the sections you need. If you want to split between two accounts, you use sections 1 and 2 and leave section 3 blank.

For each account, you enter the routing number, the account number, and the account type (checking or savings). Then you enter the dollar amount you want sent to that account. The form asks whether the account is a checking or savings account—this matters because the IRS uses different processing codes for each, and entering the wrong type can cause the deposit to fail.

You attach Form 8888 to your return when you file electronically. If you use tax software (TurboTax, H&R Block, TaxAct, or others), the software usually has a section for Form 8888 built in—you do not read and attach it separately. If you file through a tax professional, tell them you want to split your refund and give them the routing and account numbers.

What happens if you make a mistake on the form

If you enter a wrong routing number or account number, the IRS will attempt the deposit and it will fail. When a direct deposit fails, the IRS does not automatically try again or send the money to a backup account. Instead, the IRS mails you a check to the address on your return. This takes an additional two to four weeks.

If the dollar amounts do not add up to your total refund—for example, you list $500 and $600 when your refund is $1,200—the IRS will reject the split and send the entire refund to your primary account (the one you listed on your main return form).

If you realize you made a mistake after you file, you cannot change Form 8888 by amending your return. You have to contact the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040 and ask them to redirect the refund. This only works if the IRS has not yet processed the deposit. Once the money has been sent, you cannot recall it through the IRS.

Timing: when the split refund arrives

If your return is accepted and processed without errors, all three deposits (if you use all three accounts) happen on the same day. You do not get one deposit now and another later. The IRS sends them all at once, though your banks may post them on different days depending on their processing schedules.

The IRS typically processes returns within 21 days of acceptance if you file electronically and claim no refundable credits. If you claim the Earned Income Tax Credit or the Additional Child Tax Credit, processing takes longer—up to 39 days. During that time, the IRS is verifying your return and checking for fraud. If something triggers a review, the split refund is delayed along with everything else.

You can check the status of your refund using the IRS "Where's My Refund?" tool on irs.gov. It tells you whether the return has been accepted, is being processed, or has been sent. It does not tell you which account the money went to, so keep your own record of the amounts you assigned to each account.

Why you might split a refund between two accounts

People split refunds for different reasons. Some want to put part of the refund into savings and part into checking so they do not spend it all at once. Others have a joint account with a spouse and a separate individual account, and they want to divide the refund accordingly. Some use a prepaid card as a way to set aside money for a specific purpose.

You can also split a refund if you have accounts at different banks and want to avoid transferring money between them. The split happens at the IRS, so you do not have to move the money yourself or pay any transfer fees.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I split my refund into more than two accounts?

Yes, up to three accounts total. Form 8888 has space for three separate deposits. You cannot split into four or more accounts in a single tax year, even if you have multiple banks.

What if I want to change the split after I file?

If the IRS has not yet processed the deposit, call 1-800-829-1040 and ask them to redirect the refund. Once the money has been deposited, you cannot recall it through the IRS. You would have to move the money between your own accounts yourself.

Do I need permission from my bank to receive a split refund?

No. Your bank does not need to know in advance. As long as the routing number and account number are correct and the account is in your name, the deposit will go through. If there is a problem with the account, your bank will reject the deposit and the IRS will mail a check instead.

Can I split my refund into an account that is not in my name?

No. The account must be in your name, your spouse's name (if filing jointly), or both. The IRS does not allow refunds to be deposited into accounts belonging to other people, even family members.

What if I file jointly—can my spouse and I each have a separate account?

Yes. If you file jointly, you can split the refund into an account in your name, an account in your spouse's name, and a third account in either name. All three accounts must be in the names of the people on the return.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.