The IRS needs your current bank details to deposit your refund, and you can change them before or after you file

If you filed your tax return with an old bank account number, or you want to switch which account receives your refund, you have options depending on whether the IRS has already processed your return. The method you use depends on your filing status and timing—some changes happen during filing, others require a separate form after you file.

The IRS does not automatically update banking information from your bank records. You must tell them directly, either by including the correct details when you file or by submitting a form after filing. The process is straightforward, but the timing matters: changes made before the IRS deposits your refund will work; changes made after the deposit has been sent cannot be reversed through the IRS.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your bank account information on your tax return before you file by updating it in your tax software or providing it to a tax preparer.
  • If you already filed with the wrong account, use Form 8888 (if you have not filed yet) or contact the IRS directly using their transcript order system to request a refund check instead.
  • The IRS processes refunds in the order they receive returns, and direct deposits typically post within 21 days of acceptance, so timing your change matters.
  • If your refund was already deposited to the wrong account, you will need to contact that bank and the IRS separately—the IRS cannot reverse a deposit that has posted.

Changing your account before you file your return

This is the simplest route. If you have not yet filed, you can enter or correct your bank account information directly in your tax software, or provide it to your tax preparer before they submit the return to the IRS.

When you file electronically, you will see fields for routing number and account number. The routing number identifies your bank; the account number identifies which account at that bank receives the deposit. Double-check both before you submit. If you are using a tax preparer, give them your current account details in writing and ask them to read them back to you before filing.

If you are filing on paper (Form 1040), you cannot include banking information on the return itself. Instead, you will receive a check in the mail. If you want a direct deposit instead, you must file electronically or use Form 8888 (discussed below).

Using Form 8888 to split or redirect your refund

Form 8888 (Allocation of Refund) lets you direct your refund to up to three different bank accounts, or split it between accounts and a check. You file this form with your tax return, not after. This is useful if you want to deposit part of your refund to savings and part to checking, or if you need to correct a banking error before filing.

You must include Form 8888 with your return when you file—you cannot add it later. If you are using tax software, it will prompt you to use this form if you select the option to split your refund. If you are filing on paper, attach the completed form to your return before mailing it to the IRS.

Form 8888 requires the same information as a direct deposit: routing number, account number, and account type (checking or savings). The IRS will not process the form if the routing number or account number is incorrect, so verify both with your bank before filing.

Correcting your account after you have already filed

If you filed with the wrong bank account and have not yet received your refund, contact the IRS directly. You cannot submit a corrected return just to change banking information—you must call or use the IRS online tools.

Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 (individual income tax) during business hours. Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the refund amount from your return ready. The IRS representative can note your file that you want a check mailed instead of a direct deposit to the wrong account, or in some cases update your account information if you catch the error early enough.

Alternatively, use the IRS transcript ordering system at irs.gov. You can order a transcript of your account, which shows the status of your refund and the banking information the IRS has on file. If the information is wrong, the transcript will show you what the IRS received, and you can then call to request a correction.

What happens if your refund already went to the wrong account

If the IRS has already deposited your refund to an old or incorrect account, the IRS cannot reverse the deposit. The money is now in that account, and you must recover it from the bank that received it.

Contact the bank where the deposit landed when ready. Explain that the deposit was sent to your account in error and that you no longer own or control that account. The bank can attempt to reverse the deposit if it was very recent (usually within one to three business days), but once the account holder has access to the funds, reversal becomes difficult.

If the account belongs to a former spouse, ex-partner, or someone else, you may need to file a dispute with the bank or contact the IRS for guidance on next steps. The IRS can issue a replacement refund by check if the original deposit cannot be recovered, but this process takes additional time and requires documentation of what happened.

Timing: when the IRS processes your refund

The IRS processes returns in the order they are received. Once your return is accepted (which happens within 24 hours of e-filing), the IRS begins processing. Direct deposits typically post to your bank within 21 days of acceptance, though many arrive sooner.

If you filed electronically and realize your account information is wrong within the first few days, calling the IRS may still allow them to update your file before processing begins. After processing has started, changes become harder to implement. Once the refund has been sent to your bank (which you can track using the IRS "Where's My Refund?" tool at irs.gov), it is too late to change the destination.

The "Where's My Refund?" tool shows the status of your refund in real time. It tells you whether the IRS has accepted your return, is processing it, has approved it, or has sent it to your bank. Check this tool regularly if you submitted a correction request, because it will show whether the IRS acted on your request.

Routing numbers and account numbers: getting them right

Your bank's routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies the bank itself. Your account number is the number of your specific account at that bank. Both must be correct, or the IRS will send your refund elsewhere or reject the deposit.

Find both on the bottom left of any check from your account. The first nine digits are the routing number; the next set of digits (after the routing number) is your account number. Alternatively, call your bank or log into your online banking portal—most banks display both numbers in the account details section.

Do not guess or use a number you think is correct. A single wrong digit sends your refund to a different account or bank. If you are unsure, call your bank and ask them to confirm both numbers before you file or submit a correction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my bank account information after the IRS has sent my refund?

No. Once the IRS has initiated the direct deposit, the transaction is final. If the refund has already posted to your bank account, you cannot ask the IRS to reverse it. You must contact the bank that received the deposit and request a reversal, though banks can only reverse deposits within a short window (usually one to three business days).

What if I do not know my routing number?

Call your bank and ask for your routing number and account number. You can also find the routing number on the bottom left of any check from your account, or log into your online banking portal. Do not file without confirming both numbers with your bank directly.

Can I split my refund between two accounts?

Yes, using Form 8888. You can direct your refund to up to three different accounts, or split it between accounts and a check. You must file Form 8888 with your tax return when you file—you cannot add it after filing. Your tax software will guide you through this option if you select it.

How long does it take the IRS to process a banking correction?

If you call the IRS before your return is processed, they may be able to update your file within hours. If processing has already started, the correction may not take effect in time to change where your refund goes. Use the IRS "Where's My Refund?" tool to track the status and see whether your correction was applied.

What if the wrong account belongs to someone else?

Contact your bank when ready and explain that a deposit was sent to your account in error. The bank can attempt a reversal if the deposit is very recent. If the account belongs to another person and they have already accessed the funds, you may need to file a dispute or contact the IRS for a replacement refund by check.