You can change your refund destination up until the IRS processes your return

If you filed your tax return and want your refund to go somewhere different than you originally told the IRS, you have options — but the window closes once the IRS accepts and processes your return. The fastest way to change it is through the IRS website using their free tool, or by filing an amended return if you've already been processed.

The key is timing. If your return hasn't been accepted yet, you can straightforward file a new return with the correct information and the IRS will discard the first one. If it's already been accepted, you'll need to use a different process. Either way, you're not stuck with your original choice.

Key Takeaways

  • Before the IRS accepts your return, you can file a corrected version with the right bank account or mailing address, and the first version will be rejected automatically.
  • After the IRS accepts your return, you can request a change through the IRS website, by phone, or by mailing Form 8888 to redirect an undeposited refund.
  • If your refund has already been deposited to the wrong account, you'll need to contact that bank or financial institution directly — the IRS cannot reverse a completed deposit.
  • Changing your refund destination takes longer after processing, so act as soon as you realize the error rather than waiting.

Changing your refund before the IRS accepts your return

The easiest time to change where your refund goes is before the IRS officially accepts your return. You can check the status of your return using the IRS "Where's My Refund?" tool on IRS.gov, which tells you whether the return has been accepted.

If it hasn't been accepted yet, straightforward file a new return with the correct bank account number, routing number, or mailing address. When you file the second return, the IRS system will see that you've submitted a newer version and will reject the first one. Only the second return will be processed. Make sure you use the exact same information (name, Social Security number, filing status) so the IRS can match them correctly.

Do not file multiple returns hoping one will go through — file one corrected version and stop. Filing many returns can trigger a review and delay your refund.

Changing your refund after the IRS accepts your return

Once the IRS has accepted your return but hasn't yet deposited the refund, you can request a change through the IRS website. Go to IRS.gov and use the "Change Your Refund" tool, which is available in the same section as "Where's My Refund?" You'll need your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your return.

If you prefer not to use the website, you can call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 during business hours and ask to change your refund destination. Have your return information ready. You can also mail Form 8888 (Allocation of Refund) to the IRS address for your state, though this takes longer — typically two to three weeks for the IRS to process the change, plus mailing time.

The online tool is fastest because the IRS processes it within one to two business days. Phone requests are usually processed within the same timeframe, though you may be on hold.

What information you'll need to provide

To change your refund destination, have one of these ready depending on where you want the refund to go:

  • Bank account: Your routing number (the nine-digit code for your bank), your account number, and whether it's a checking or savings account.
  • Different bank account: The same information for the new account. The account must be in your name or a joint name on your tax return.
  • Mailed check: A current mailing address. The IRS will mail a check to this address instead of depositing electronically.

If you're changing to a mailed check, allow four to six weeks for the check to arrive after the IRS processes your request. If you're changing to a different bank account, the deposit typically arrives within two to three business days of the IRS sending it.

If your refund has already been deposited to the wrong account

If the IRS has already deposited your refund to an incorrect account — whether it's the wrong bank, the wrong person's account, or a closed account — the IRS cannot reverse the deposit. You'll need to contact the bank or financial institution that received the money.

Call the bank's customer service number and explain that a tax refund was deposited to the wrong account. Provide your name, the refund amount, and the date it was deposited. The bank can see the deposit in their system and can help you determine what happened. If the account is closed, the bank can often trace where the money went. If it went to someone else's account by mistake, the bank may be able to recover it, though this takes time and the other account holder may need to consent.

If the bank cannot help, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and report the misdeposit. The IRS can investigate, but they will also direct you back to the bank as the first step. Keep records of all your attempts to fix it — dates, names of people you spoke with, and what they told you.

Avoiding refund destination mistakes in the first place

Before you file, double-check your bank account information. A single wrong digit in your routing number or account number can send your refund to the wrong place. If you're unsure of your routing number, log into your bank's website or app — it's usually listed under account details. You can also call your bank and ask them to confirm it.

If you're filing on paper, write the numbers clearly. If you're filing electronically through tax software or a tax preparer, the software usually validates your account information before you submit, so errors are less common — but read the confirmation screen carefully before you hit submit.

If you've recently changed banks or closed an account, make sure you're using the account information for the bank you currently use, not the old one.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if the IRS has accepted my return yet?

Go to IRS.gov and use the "Where's My Refund?" tool. Enter your Social Security number, filing status, and the refund amount. It will tell you whether your return has been accepted, is being processed, or has been approved. If it says "Return Received," the IRS has it but hasn't accepted it yet — you can still file a corrected version.

Can I change my refund to go to someone else's account?

No. The IRS will only deposit your refund to an account in your name or a joint name that appears on your tax return. If you want someone else to have the money, you'll need to request a mailed check and then deposit it yourself, or have the refund go to your account and transfer it afterward.

What if I don't know my routing number?

Log into your bank's website or mobile app and look for account details or account information — the routing number is usually listed there. You can also call your bank's customer service line and ask them to confirm it. Never guess or use a number you're unsure of.

How long does it take to change my refund after I request it?

Using the IRS website tool is fastest — one to two business days. Phone requests usually take the same time. Mailed Form 8888 takes two to three weeks for the IRS to process, plus mailing time. Once the IRS sends the refund to the new destination, a bank deposit arrives in two to three business days, and a mailed check takes four to six weeks.

What happens if I file a second return but the first one already processed?

The IRS will see two returns from you and may hold both for review to determine which one is correct. This delays your refund. If your first return has already been accepted, use the "Change Your Refund" tool or call the IRS instead of filing again.