What validation means and why the IRS asks for it
When you claim a refund will be deposited to your bank account, the IRS needs to confirm that account actually exists and belongs to you. Validation is the process of proving the account is real and active. The IRS does not automatically trust the routing and account numbers you provide on your tax return — they verify them against banking records before sending money.
The IRS uses a system called the Account Validation Service to check your information against your bank's records. If your bank account number, routing number, or account type does not match what your bank has on file, the IRS will reject the direct deposit and issue your refund by check instead. This adds weeks to the time you receive your money.
Validation happens automatically when you file. You do not need to do anything separately unless the IRS contacts you because validation failed.
Key Takeaways
- The IRS automatically validates your bank account information against your bank's records when you file your return.
- Validation fails most often because of typos in your routing number or account number, or because you listed the wrong account type (checking versus savings).
- If validation fails, the IRS will mail your refund by check, which takes longer than direct deposit.
- You can prevent validation failures by double-checking your routing and account numbers against a blank check or your bank's website before you file.
- If the IRS contacts you about a validation problem, you will need to provide your bank's name, account number, routing number, and account type in writing.
How to find your correct routing and account numbers
The most common reason validation fails is a mistake in one of these two numbers. Your routing number identifies your bank. Your account number identifies your specific account at that bank. Both must be exact.
The easiest source is a blank check from your checkbook. The routing number appears in the bottom left corner, printed in a special magnetic ink. The account number appears in the bottom center, right after the routing number. Write both down exactly as they appear — do not rearrange digits or add spaces.
If you do not have a check, log into your bank's website or mobile app and look for account details. Most banks display both numbers in the account information section. You can also call your bank's customer service line and ask them to read both numbers to you. When you call, have your account holder name and the last four digits of your Social Security number ready.
Confirm the account type as well. The IRS needs to know whether the account is checking or savings. Your bank statement or online account page will show this.
What happens if validation fails
If your bank account information does not match your bank's records, the IRS will not deposit your refund. Instead, they will mail a check to the address on your tax return. You will not receive a separate notice that validation failed — you will straightforward notice the deposit never arrives and a check arrives weeks later.
The IRS does not contact you proactively about validation failures. If you filed your return and expected a direct deposit but received a check instead, validation likely failed. This can happen because of a typo, because you recently closed the account, or because the account type you listed does not match your bank's records.
If you discover the problem after filing, you cannot change your bank account information on a return that has already been processed. Your only option is to cash or deposit the check when it arrives.
Preventing validation errors before you file
Check your routing and account numbers against your check or bank website one more time before you submit your return. Read each digit aloud to yourself or to someone else. A single wrong digit will cause validation to fail.
If you are using tax software, most programs will ask you to enter the numbers twice — once in the initial entry and again as a confirmation. Use this as a chance to catch typos. If the two entries do not match, the software will flag it.
Make sure the account type matches what your bank has on file. If you are unsure whether your account is checking or savings, ask your bank before you file. Some people have both types of accounts and choose the wrong one by mistake.
If you recently opened the account, wait a few days before filing to make sure it is fully active in your bank's system. New accounts sometimes take 24 to 48 hours to appear in the banking network that the IRS uses for validation.
What to do if the IRS contacts you about validation
If the IRS determines that your bank account information is invalid, they may contact you by mail. The letter will explain that they could not verify your account and will ask you to provide the information again. Follow the instructions in the letter exactly — the IRS will specify whether to respond by mail, phone, or through their online portal.
Have the following information ready when you respond: your bank's name, your full account number, your routing number, and your account type (checking or savings). The IRS will re-validate using this information. If it matches your bank's records this time, they will process the direct deposit. If it still does not match, they will mail your refund by check.
Do not ignore a letter from the IRS about validation. If you do not respond, your refund will be issued by check and you will lose the time advantage of direct deposit.
Why validation sometimes fails even with correct numbers
Validation can fail for reasons beyond a typo. If you closed the account after filing but before the IRS processed your return, validation will fail because the account no longer exists in your bank's system. The IRS will mail a check instead.
If you recently changed banks and provided your new bank's information, but the account is not yet fully active in the banking network, validation may fail. This is why waiting a few days after opening a new account is safer than filing when ready.
Some banks use different routing numbers for different regions or account types. If you provided the wrong routing number for your specific branch or account type, validation will fail even if the number is valid for your bank. Your bank's website or a phone call to customer service will clarify which routing number applies to your account.
Direct deposit versus check: timing and what to expect
If validation succeeds, your refund arrives by direct deposit within one to three business days after the IRS processes your return. Processing typically takes 21 days from the date you file, though it can be faster.
If validation fails and the IRS issues a check instead, the check is mailed to your address on file. Standard mail delivery takes five to seven business days after the check is mailed. The IRS does not provide a specific mailing date, so you may not know exactly when to expect it.
If you need your refund quickly, direct deposit is significantly faster. This is another reason to verify your account information before filing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my bank account information after I file my return?
No. Once your return is processed, you cannot change the bank account where the refund will be deposited. If you filed with the wrong account information, you will receive a check instead. You can deposit or cash the check normally, but it will take longer than direct deposit would have.
What if I do not have a bank account yet?
You can still file your return and request a check instead of direct deposit. On your tax form, select the option for a paper check refund. The IRS will mail it to your address on file. You can then deposit it into a bank account once you open one.
Does the IRS charge a fee to validate my account?
No. Validation is free and automatic. The IRS does not charge you to verify your bank account information or to process a direct deposit.
How long does validation take?
Validation happens when ready when you file your return. The IRS checks your information against your bank's records right away. If it matches, your refund will be deposited once the IRS processes your return. If it does not match, you will not know until you notice the deposit did not arrive.
What if my bank says my routing number is wrong?
Ask your bank which routing number applies to your specific account. Some banks have multiple routing numbers depending on your location or account type. Use the routing number your bank confirms for your account, not a general number you find online. Then file an amended return with the correct number if you have already filed.