Where your refund goes depends on how you file and what you tell the IRS
The IRS deposits most tax refunds directly into a bank account you specify — this is called direct deposit. If you file electronically and provide your routing number and account number, the money typically lands in your account within 21 days of the IRS accepting your return. If you file on paper or don't provide banking details, the IRS mails you a check instead, which takes longer and requires you to deposit it yourself at a bank or ATM.
The deposit method is your choice to make when you file. You can change your mind about where the refund goes only before the IRS processes your return — once they accept it, the destination is locked in. If you made a mistake or want to redirect the money, you'll need to contact the IRS directly, which adds weeks to the timeline.
Key Takeaways
- Direct deposit is faster than a mailed check and requires you to provide your bank's routing number and your account number when you file.
- The IRS accepts direct deposit to checking accounts, savings accounts, and some prepaid cards — not to investment or credit card accounts.
- If you file electronically with direct deposit, the refund typically arrives within 21 days of acceptance; paper returns take 4 to 6 weeks or longer.
- You can split your refund among up to three different accounts in a single direct deposit instruction, useful if you want to send part to savings and part to checking.
- If the IRS mails a check and you lose it, you can request a replacement, but this adds another 4 to 6 weeks to the timeline.
Setting up direct deposit when you file your return
When you file your tax return — whether through tax software, a tax professional, or on paper — you'll see a section asking how you want your refund delivered. Choose direct deposit, then enter two pieces of information: your bank's routing number (a nine-digit code that identifies your bank) and your account number (the number of the specific account where you want the money to land).
You can find both numbers on the bottom left of any check from that account, or by logging into your bank's website or app. Some banks print them on statements. If you can't locate them, call your bank's customer service line — they can read them to you in under a minute. Double-check the numbers before you submit your return; the IRS won't catch typos, and a wrong routing number sends your refund to the wrong bank, requiring weeks to recover it.
Direct deposit works with checking accounts, savings accounts, and some prepaid cards (including certain government benefit cards). It does not work with credit card accounts, investment accounts, or money market accounts. If your only account is one of those types, you'll need to provide a different account or request a check instead.
Splitting your refund across multiple accounts
The IRS allows you to split a single refund among up to three different bank accounts in one filing. This is useful if you want to send part of your refund to a savings account and part to checking, or to divide it among accounts at different banks. You specify the amount (in dollars, not a percentage) that goes to each account, along with that account's routing and account numbers.
If you use tax software, there's usually a checkbox or button labeled "split refund" or "multiple accounts." If you file on paper using Form 1040, you'll use Form 8888 (Allocation of Refund) to list each account and the dollar amount. A tax professional can set this up for you if you're unsure how to do it yourself.
The total of all three amounts must equal your refund. If you specify $2,000 to one account and $1,500 to another but your refund is only $3,000, the IRS will reject the split and ask you to correct it before processing.
What happens if you file on paper or don't provide banking details
If you mail a paper return to the IRS without direct deposit information, or if you intentionally choose not to use direct deposit, the IRS will mail you a check. This takes longer: the IRS typically mails checks 4 to 6 weeks after accepting your return, and mail delivery adds another week or two depending on where you live. You then have to deposit the check yourself at your bank, an ATM, or a check-cashing service.
To deposit a mailed check, sign the back of it, write your account number on the back (some banks require this), and either take it to a bank branch, use an ATM with mobile deposit (if your bank offers it), or use your bank's mobile app to photograph the front and back. Mobile deposit is usually the fastest option and can clear within one business day.
If your check arrives damaged, is lost in the mail, or never arrives, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to request a replacement. The IRS will issue a new check, which restarts the mailing timeline — expect another 4 to 6 weeks.
Timing: when the money actually lands in your account
The IRS publishes a "Where's My Refund?" tool on IRS.gov that shows the status of your return and, once accepted, the expected deposit date. For returns filed electronically with direct deposit, this date is typically 21 days after the IRS accepts your return. The actual deposit usually happens on or before that date, though it can be a few days later depending on your bank's processing schedule.
Paper returns take longer to process. The IRS must receive your return, open it, scan it, and enter the information into their system — this alone can take 2 to 3 weeks. After that, the 21-day clock starts. So a paper return filed in early April might not see a refund until late May or early June.
Once the IRS deposits the money, your bank receives it and posts it to your account. Most banks post direct deposits the same day they receive them, but some take one business day. If the deposit date passes and the money hasn't arrived after two business days, contact your bank to confirm they received it; if they didn't, contact the IRS with your return confirmation number.
Correcting a mistake in your direct deposit information
If you realize you gave the IRS the wrong routing number or account number after you've filed, you have a narrow window to fix it. If the IRS hasn't yet accepted your return, you can file an amended return with the correct information — but this only works if you catch the error before submission. Once you submit, you can't change it through the filing system.
If the IRS has already accepted your return, you cannot change the direct deposit destination. Your only option is to wait for the refund to deposit into the wrong account, then contact that bank to see if they can redirect it. Some banks can do this; others cannot. If the wrong account belongs to someone else or a closed account, the IRS will eventually send you a check for the amount, but this adds 4 to 6 weeks to the timeline.
To avoid this, verify your routing and account numbers three times before you submit your return. If you're filing through a tax professional, ask them to read the numbers back to you before they submit.
Using a prepaid card or temporary account for your refund
Some people use prepaid cards (like NetSpend or Green Dot) or temporary bank accounts opened specifically to receive a refund. This works fine with direct deposit — the IRS treats a prepaid card account the same as a regular checking account, as long as it has a routing number and account number.
If you're opening a new account just to receive your refund, do it at least a week before you file. Some banks take a few days to set up an account fully, and you need the account to be active before the IRS deposits into it. If you open an account on April 10 and file on April 12, the account might not be ready by the time the IRS processes your return on April 25.
Be aware that some prepaid cards charge monthly fees or have limits on how much you can deposit or hold. Check the card's terms before you use it for your refund.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I deposit my tax refund into someone else's bank account?
No. The IRS requires that the account belong to you or, in some cases, a spouse if you filed jointly. The account holder's name must match the name on your tax return. If you want to give the money to someone else, deposit it into your own account first, then transfer it to them.
What if the IRS deposited my refund into the wrong account?
Contact the bank where the money landed when ready. Provide them with your tax return confirmation number and explain the situation. Some banks can reverse the deposit and send it back to the IRS; others cannot. If the bank can't help, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 with your confirmation number. The IRS will investigate and may issue a check for the amount.
How do I know if my refund was deposited?
Check your bank account directly — log in online or call your bank. You can also use the IRS "Where's My Refund?" tool on IRS.gov, which updates once per day and shows the expected deposit date. If the date has passed and the money isn't in your account, wait one more business day, then contact your bank.
Can I change my direct deposit information after I file?
Not after the IRS accepts your return. If you catch the error before submission, you can correct it and resubmit. If the IRS has already accepted it, your only option is to wait for the deposit and then contact the receiving bank or the IRS to try to recover the funds.
Is direct deposit safer than a mailed check?
Yes. A mailed check can be lost, stolen, or delayed. Direct deposit goes straight into your account and cannot be intercepted. If you're concerned about security or speed, direct deposit is the better choice.