Use your primary checking account routing number, not your savings account

The routing number you provide to the IRS should match the bank account where you want your refund deposited. If you have both a checking and savings account at the same bank, use the routing number for the account you're actually depositing into — usually your checking account. The routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies your specific bank or credit union, not the account type itself.

The IRS will reject a deposit if the routing number doesn't match the account number you provide, or if either one is wrong. When that happens, the refund gets returned to the IRS, and you'll have to wait for a paper check or contact the IRS to correct the information. This delay typically adds two to four weeks to your refund timeline.

Key Takeaways

  • Your routing number identifies your bank or credit union; your account number identifies your specific account within that institution.
  • The routing number must match the account type (checking or savings) you list on your return — a mismatch causes the deposit to fail.
  • You can find your routing number on the bottom left of your checks, on your bank's website, or by calling your bank directly.
  • If you provide the wrong routing number, the IRS will mail you a paper check instead, adding two to four weeks to when you receive your money.
  • Some banks have multiple routing numbers for different regions or services; confirm you have the one for your specific branch location.

Where to find your routing number

The easiest place to find your routing number is on a check from your account. Look at the bottom left corner — the first nine digits are your routing number, followed by your account number (usually 10 to 12 digits), then the check number on the right.

If you don't have checks, log into your bank's website or mobile app. Most banks display your routing number in the account details or transfer settings section. You can also call your bank's customer service line and ask for the routing number associated with your specific account. Have your account number ready when you call.

For credit unions, the process is the same: check your statements, log into your online banking, or call. Credit unions use routing numbers just like banks do, though they're sometimes called "transit numbers."

What happens if you use the wrong routing number

If your routing number doesn't match your bank's records or the account number you provided, the IRS's automated system will flag the deposit as undeliverable. The bank will reject it and send it back to the IRS within one to three business days.

Once the IRS receives the rejection, they stop the direct deposit and issue you a paper check instead. This check is mailed to the address on your tax return. The entire process — rejection, reissue, and mailing — typically takes two to four weeks. You can track the status of your refund using the IRS's Where's My Refund tool on IRS.gov, which will show when the deposit failed and when a check was issued.

Routing number versus account number: what's the difference

Your routing number identifies your bank or credit union. Your account number identifies your specific account within that bank. Both are required for direct deposit, and both must be correct for the deposit to go through.

The routing number is the same for all customers of that bank in a given region. The account number is unique to you. If you give the IRS the right routing number but the wrong account number, the deposit will fail just as if you'd given the wrong routing number. The IRS system checks both before processing the deposit.

Multiple routing numbers at the same bank

Some large banks have different routing numbers for different regions or for different types of transactions (like wire transfers versus ACH transfers, which is what the IRS uses). Make sure you're using the routing number for ACH deposits at your specific branch location, not a wire transfer routing number or a number for a different region.

If you're unsure which routing number applies to you, call your bank and say: "I need the ACH routing number for direct deposit to my checking account at [your branch location]." This phrasing ensures you get the right one. Write it down and double-check it against your checks or online banking before you file your return.

How to verify your routing number before filing

Before you submit your tax return, verify both your routing number and account number. The easiest way is to look at a check: the routing number is the first nine digits at the bottom left, and your account number follows when ready after.

If you're filing electronically, your tax software will ask you to enter both numbers. Enter them slowly and carefully, then read them back to yourself out loud. A single digit wrong will cause the deposit to fail. If you're filing on paper, write the numbers clearly in the spaces provided on the form.

After you file, you can check the status of your refund on IRS.gov using Where's My Refund. This tool will tell you whether the IRS accepted your direct deposit information and when your refund is expected to arrive. If there's a problem, the tool will show that the deposit was rejected and that a check is being issued instead.

What to do if your refund was rejected

If you see in Where's My Refund that your deposit was rejected, you don't need to do anything when ready — the IRS will automatically mail you a paper check. However, you can contact the IRS to correct the information if you want to try direct deposit again for a future refund.

Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and have your Social Security number, filing status, and the refund amount ready. The IRS cannot reprocess a rejected deposit into a corrected account, but they can note your correct information for next year. The paper check will arrive at the address on your return within two to four weeks of the rejection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a savings account routing number instead of checking?

Yes, if you want your refund deposited into savings instead of checking. Use the routing number that corresponds to the account type you're depositing into. Make sure the routing number and account number match — if you give a checking routing number but a savings account number, the deposit will fail.

What if my bank has multiple routing numbers?

Use the routing number for ACH deposits (the method the IRS uses) at your specific branch location. Call your bank and ask for the ACH routing number, not a wire transfer routing number. If you use the wrong one, the deposit will be rejected and you'll receive a paper check instead.

How long does it take for a direct deposit refund to arrive?

The IRS typically issues refunds within 21 days of accepting your return, and direct deposits usually arrive within one to two business days after that. If your routing or account number is wrong, the deposit fails and the IRS mails a paper check, which adds two to four weeks.

Can I change my routing number after I file?

No, you cannot change your routing number after you file. If you realize you made a mistake, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 before the refund is processed. If the refund has already been rejected, the IRS will mail a paper check to your return address.

What if I'm filing jointly — whose account should I use?

Either spouse's account can receive the refund. Use the routing number and account number for whichever account you choose. Both names do not need to be on the account. Make sure the routing number matches the account type and location you're depositing into.