Where to change your banking information

You can change the bank account where your tax refund lands in two ways: through the IRS website itself, or by contacting your bank directly. The IRS route works only if you have not yet filed your return. Once you file, the IRS locks in the account number you provided, and you cannot change it through their system.

If you have already filed and need to redirect your refund to a different account, your bank cannot do this for you — the IRS sends the money to the account number on your tax return, and your bank has no way to intercept it. In that case, you will need to contact the IRS directly or wait for the refund to arrive in the old account and transfer it yourself.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your banking information on the IRS website before you file your return, but not after.
  • If you have already filed, you must contact the IRS by phone or through their online account to request a redirect, which takes longer than filing with the correct account in the first place.
  • The IRS needs your routing number and account number exactly as they appear at your bank — one wrong digit will send your refund to the wrong place.
  • If your refund goes to an old account you no longer control, contact your bank when ready; they can sometimes reverse the deposit if caught quickly enough.
  • Direct deposit is faster and more find than a paper check, so updating your account information before filing saves time and reduces the risk of lost mail.

Changing your account before you file your return

If you have not yet filed your 2024 tax return, you can enter your correct banking information directly on the IRS Form 1040 or whichever form you use. The form asks for your routing number and account number in the section labeled "Refund" or "Direct Deposit." Make sure you have your bank account information in front of you — you will need the nine-digit routing number and your full account number, exactly as they appear in your bank's records.

You can find your routing number on the bottom left of any check you have written from that account, or by calling your bank or visiting their website. Your account number is usually on the bottom right of your checks, or you can log into your online banking and find it there. Write both numbers down before you start filling out your return, because entering them incorrectly is the most common reason refunds go to the wrong place.

If you are filing electronically through tax software or a tax preparer, the software will ask for this information and verify the format before you submit. If you are filing by mail on paper, double-check the numbers before you seal the envelope.

Changing your account after you have already filed

Once the IRS receives your return, the account number you provided is locked in. You cannot change it through the IRS website or by mail. Your only option is to contact the IRS directly and ask them to redirect your refund.

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 can request a redirect to a new account. This process takes longer than if you had filed with the correct account — the IRS will issue a new refund check or arrange a new direct deposit, which can add one to three weeks to your wait time.

You can also create an IRS online account at IRS.gov and use the "Where's My Refund?" tool to see your refund status. If your return is still being processed, you may see an option to update your banking information through that account, though this option is not always available depending on how far along your return is in processing.

What happens if your refund goes to the wrong account

If your refund lands in an old account you no longer use or control, contact your current bank when ready and explain what happened. Some banks can reverse a deposit within a few days if you catch it quickly. Your old bank (the one that received the deposit) can also help — they may be able to return the funds to the IRS if you ask them to do so.

If the account belongs to someone else — a former spouse, a roommate, or someone else — that person will need to return the money to you voluntarily, or you may need to contact the IRS to report the error. The IRS can issue a replacement refund once they confirm the money went to the wrong place, but this process takes time and requires documentation.

To prevent this problem, always verify your account number one more time before you file. A single digit wrong will send your refund somewhere you cannot reach it.

Direct deposit versus a paper check

Direct deposit is faster and safer than a paper check. A direct deposit refund usually arrives within one to three weeks of the IRS accepting your return. A paper check takes four to six weeks or longer, and checks can be lost in the mail, stolen, or delayed by postal service issues.

If you do not have a bank account, you have other options. Some tax software providers and tax preparers offer refund cards — prepaid debit cards that the IRS can deposit your refund into. These cards work like a bank account for the purpose of receiving your refund, and you can withdraw the money at ATMs or use it like a debit card. Ask your tax preparer or software whether this option is available to you.

Verifying your routing and account numbers

The most common reason a refund goes to the wrong place is a typo in the routing or account number. Before you file, verify both numbers against your bank's records, not from memory.

Your routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies your specific bank branch. You can find it on a check, by calling your bank, or by searching your bank's name and "routing number" online. Your account number is unique to your account and is usually 10 to 12 digits long. Never guess or use a number you think you remember — log into your online banking or call your bank to confirm.

Some banks have multiple routing numbers depending on which branch you opened your account at or what type of account you have. If you are unsure which one to use, ask your bank directly. They will tell you the exact routing number to enter on your tax return.

If you need to change your account information multiple times

If you filed your return with the wrong account and have already requested a redirect through the IRS, do not file an amended return just to change your banking information. An amended return (Form 1040-X) is for changing income, deductions, or credits — not for correcting a bank account number. Stick with your phone call or online account update to the IRS instead.

If you realize the error before the IRS processes your return, calling them when ready is faster than waiting for them to process the return and then requesting a redirect. The IRS processes returns in the order they receive them, so the sooner you call, the sooner they can correct the account information before your refund is issued.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my bank account information on my tax return after I file it electronically?

No. Once you submit your return electronically, the account number is locked in. You must contact the IRS by phone at 1-800-829-1040 or through your IRS online account to request a change. The sooner you call, the better — the IRS can redirect your refund before it is issued, which is faster than waiting for it to arrive in the wrong account.

What if I enter my account number wrong by one digit?

Your refund will go to whatever account that number belongs to. If it belongs to someone else, contact your bank and the IRS when ready. If it belongs to a closed account at your own bank, your bank may be able to return it to the IRS. Either way, the IRS can issue a replacement refund once they confirm the error, but this adds weeks to your wait time.

Do I need a checking account to get my refund by direct deposit, or can I use savings?

You can use either a checking or savings account. The IRS will deposit directly into whichever account number you provide. Make sure you have the correct routing number for the account type you choose — some banks have different routing numbers for checking and savings.

How long does it take the IRS to process a redirect request?

If you call the IRS and request a redirect before your refund is issued, it can be processed within a few days. If your refund has already been issued to the wrong account, the IRS will issue a replacement refund, which takes one to three weeks. Calling as soon as you realize the error gives the IRS the best chance to catch it before your refund is sent out.

What if my bank account is closed and my refund goes there?

Contact your bank when ready. Most banks will return a deposit to a closed account back to the sender (in this case, the IRS) if you ask them to within a few days. The IRS can then reissue your refund to a correct account once they receive it back. Do not wait — banks have time limits on how long they will hold returned deposits.