Yes, you can change your direct deposit for a tax refund, but the window to do it depends on where you are in the filing process

If you have not yet filed your tax return, you can choose any bank account you want for your refund — just enter the correct account details when you fill out your return. If you have already filed, you can still change it, but you need to act before the IRS processes your return. Once the IRS has accepted your return and begun processing it, you cannot change the deposit account through your tax software or by amending the return. At that point, your only option is to wait for a check or contact the IRS directly.

The IRS does not send refunds to the same account automatically year after year. Every tax season, you choose where the money goes — whether that is a checking account, savings account, or a different bank entirely. This matters because people's circumstances change: you might have closed an old account, switched banks, or want the refund to go somewhere safer.

Key Takeaways

  • Before you file, you can direct your refund to any bank account by entering the routing and account numbers on your return.
  • After you file but before the IRS accepts your return, you can change the account information through most tax software or by filing an amended return.
  • Once the IRS has accepted and started processing your return, you cannot change the deposit account — you will receive a check instead or must contact the IRS.
  • The IRS processes returns in the order they are received, so filing early gives you more time to make changes if you need to.
  • If your refund goes to the wrong account by mistake, you can contact your bank and the IRS, but recovery takes time.

Changing your account before you file

This is the easiest time to make a change. When you are filling out your tax return — whether you are using tax software, a tax professional, or paper forms — you will enter your bank account information in the direct deposit section. Double-check the routing number and account number before you submit. A single wrong digit sends your refund to someone else's account, and recovering it is slow.

If you are using tax software like TurboTax, H&R Block, or TaxAct, the direct deposit fields are clearly marked. You can change them as many times as you want before you file. Write down your bank's routing number (a nine-digit code) and your own account number (usually 10 to 12 digits) before you start. Your bank's website or a recent check has both numbers.

Changing your account after you file but before the IRS accepts it

If you have already filed but the IRS has not yet accepted your return, you still have a window to change the account. This window is usually a few days, but it varies depending on how busy the IRS is and what time of day you filed.

If you filed electronically through tax software, log back into that software and look for an option to amend or change your return before it is accepted. Not all software allows this — some lock the return once it is submitted. If yours does not, you can file Form 1040-X (Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return) with the correct account information, though this is slower and more complicated than changing it in the original return.

If you filed a paper return, you cannot change it once it is in the mail. Your only option is to file an amended return or wait to see if the IRS contacts you about the error.

What happens after the IRS accepts your return

Once the IRS has accepted your return — you will see a confirmation message in your tax software or receive a letter in the mail — you cannot change the direct deposit account. The return is locked in the system. If you realize the account number is wrong at this point, the IRS will send your refund to that account anyway, and you will have to contact your bank and the IRS to try to recover it.

Your only way to get the refund without waiting for a check is to contact the IRS directly. Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 (the main customer service line) and explain that your direct deposit information was wrong. They can tell you the status of your refund and, in some cases, stop a deposit that has not yet gone through. However, if the deposit has already been processed, the IRS cannot reverse it — you will need to work with the bank that received it.

If your refund went to the wrong account

If your refund was deposited into an account that is not yours, contact your bank when ready. Explain that a tax refund was deposited by mistake and ask them to reverse it or return it to the IRS. Banks can sometimes do this quickly if they catch it right away, but if the account holder has already spent the money, recovery becomes a civil matter between you and that person.

At the same time, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and report the error. The IRS keeps records of where refunds were sent and can help document the mistake. They cannot force a bank to return the money, but they can confirm on their end that the deposit was sent to the wrong place, which helps if you need to pursue the matter further.

This process can take weeks or months. The faster you catch the error, the better your chances of recovery.

Choosing between checking and savings accounts

The IRS will deposit your refund into either a checking or savings account — it does not matter which, as long as the account is in your name and the routing and account numbers are correct. Some people prefer savings accounts because they are less tempting to spend from when ready. Others use checking accounts because they are easier to access. The choice is yours.

If you are using a split deposit (sending part of your refund to one account and part to another), you will need to provide routing and account numbers for each account. Tax software usually has a section for this. Make sure the total of all deposits adds up to your full refund amount.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my direct deposit after I have already received my refund?

No. Once your refund has been deposited, the transaction is complete. If you want next year's refund to go to a different account, you will enter the new account information when you file next year's return.

What if I closed the account my refund was supposed to go to?

If the account is closed, most banks will reject the deposit and return it to the IRS. The IRS will then mail you a check instead, which takes several weeks longer. Contact your old bank to confirm the account is closed, then watch for a check in the mail.

How do I know if the IRS has accepted my return?

If you filed electronically, your tax software will show an acceptance confirmation, usually within 24 hours. If you filed on paper, the IRS will send you a letter. You can also check the status on the IRS website using the "Where's My Refund?" tool at irs.gov.

Can I change my direct deposit if I filed through a tax professional?

It depends on whether your tax professional has already submitted the return to the IRS. If they have not, contact them and ask them to change it before filing. If they have already filed, you will need to contact the IRS or file an amended return.

What if I made a typo in my account number?

A single wrong digit will send your refund to the wrong account. Contact the IRS when ready at 1-800-829-1040 to report the error and ask if they can stop the deposit. If it has already been processed, you will need to contact the bank that received it and ask them to return the funds.