You can change your direct deposit account after filing, but the method depends on whether the IRS has already processed your return
If you filed your tax return and then realized you gave the wrong bank account number, or you want the refund to go somewhere else, you have options — but speed matters. The IRS processes returns in the order they arrive, and once a refund has been sent to a bank account, you cannot straightforward redirect it. Your next step depends on whether your return has been accepted by the IRS yet, and whether the refund has already been issued.
The simplest situation is catching the mistake before the IRS accepts your return. If you filed electronically and realize the error within a day or two, you may be able to file an amended return before the original is processed. If the return has already been accepted or the refund has been issued, the process is different — you will need to contact the IRS or your bank, depending on what stage the refund is in.
Key Takeaways
- If you filed electronically and catch the error before the IRS accepts your return (usually within one to two days), you can file an amended return with the correct account information.
- Once the IRS accepts your return, you cannot change the direct deposit account through the IRS — you must wait for the refund to arrive and then handle it through your bank.
- If a refund was sent to the wrong account at another bank, contact that bank when ready to report it as a misdirected deposit and ask them to reverse it.
- The IRS will not reissue a refund to a different account; if the money goes to the wrong place, your bank must return it first.
- You can check the status of your refund and confirm which account it was sent to using the IRS Where's My Refund tool on IRS.gov.
Stopping the return before the IRS accepts it
When you file electronically, there is a window — usually 24 to 48 hours — before the IRS actually accepts and processes your return. During this time, you may be able to withdraw the return and file a corrected version with the right bank account information.
Contact the tax software company you used (TurboTax, H&R Block, TaxAct, or whoever prepared your return) and ask whether the return has been accepted by the IRS yet. If it has not, ask them how to withdraw it. Some software companies allow you to withdraw an unfiled return directly through your account; others require you to call. Once withdrawn, you can file a new return with the correct account number. This is the fastest and cleanest solution if you catch the error in time.
If you filed on paper, you cannot withdraw it once it has been mailed. You will need to wait for the refund to arrive at the wrong account and then handle it from there.
What to do if the IRS has already accepted your return
Once the IRS has accepted your return, you cannot change the direct deposit account through them. The return is in the system, and the refund will be issued to the account number you provided, regardless of whether it was wrong. At this point, your options depend on whether the refund has actually been sent yet.
Use the Where's My Refund tool on IRS.gov to check the status. Enter your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount shown on your return. The tool will tell you whether the refund is still being processed, has been approved, or has already been issued. If it says "approved" or "issued," note the date — that is when the money should arrive at the account you listed.
If the status still shows "processing" or "received," the refund has not been sent yet, but you still cannot change it through the IRS. Your only option is to wait for it to arrive at the wrong account and then work with that bank to return it.
If the refund went to the wrong bank account
Once a refund has been issued and sent to a bank account, the money belongs to that account holder. If it went to the wrong account — whether because you transposed digits, used an old account, or made another error — you need to contact the bank that received it and report it as a misdirected deposit.
Call the bank's customer service line and explain that a federal tax refund was deposited into an account by mistake. Provide the date of the deposit, the amount, and your name. Ask them to reverse the deposit and return the funds to the IRS. Banks are required to cooperate with reversals of misdirected government deposits, but the process can take one to three weeks.
Do not try to withdraw the money or contact the account holder yourself. Let the bank handle the reversal. Once the bank has returned the funds to the IRS, the IRS will reissue your refund — but not to a different account. Instead, you will receive a check in the mail. This process typically takes an additional four to six weeks after the bank completes the reversal.
If the refund went to your old account at the same bank
If you changed banks or closed an account, but the refund went to an old account at the same bank, the situation is simpler. Call your bank and explain that your tax refund was deposited into a closed or inactive account. Ask them to transfer the funds to your current account with them. Many banks can do this when ready or within one business day if the old account is still in their system.
If the old account has been closed for more than a year, the bank may not be able to transfer the funds directly. In that case, ask them to reverse the deposit and return it to the IRS, then follow the process described above for a misdirected deposit.
Preventing this problem on your next return
Before you file, verify your bank account information one more time. Have your bank statement or a deposit slip in front of you. The account number on your tax return must match exactly — even one wrong digit will send the refund to the wrong place. If you are using tax software, most programs let you enter your account information and then display it back to you for review before you submit.
Some tax software also offers a "test deposit" feature, where the IRS sends a small deposit (usually under $1) to your account first to confirm it is correct. If your software offers this, use it. The test deposit arrives within a few days, and you can confirm the amount matches what the software predicted. Only after you see the test deposit should you authorize the full refund to go to that account.
How long each option takes
| Situation | Action | Time to Resolve |
|---|---|---|
| Return not yet accepted by IRS | Withdraw return and file corrected version | 1–2 days to withdraw; new return processes normally |
| Refund issued to wrong bank | Contact that bank to reverse deposit | 1–3 weeks for reversal; 4–6 weeks for IRS to reissue as check |
| Refund issued to old account at same bank | Ask bank to transfer to current account | 1 business day to 1 week |
| Refund still processing | Wait for deposit; contact receiving bank if wrong | Depends on processing status; reversal adds 5–9 weeks |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I call the IRS and ask them to send my refund to a different account?
No. Once the IRS has accepted your return, they cannot change the direct deposit account. The refund will go to the account number on your filed return. If it is wrong, you must wait for it to arrive and then work with the receiving bank to reverse it.
What if I do not know which account the refund was sent to?
Use the Where's My Refund tool on IRS.gov. It shows the last four digits of the account number the refund was sent to. If you do not recognize those digits, contact all the banks where you have had accounts and ask if a recent deposit matching your refund amount arrived.
Will I lose money if the refund goes to the wrong account?
No, but you may wait longer to receive it. Once the receiving bank reverses the deposit, the IRS will reissue your refund as a check, which takes additional time. You will not lose the money — it will just take longer to reach you.
Can I file an amended return to change the account instead of waiting for the reversal?
No. An amended return (Form 1040-X) is for correcting income, deductions, or credits — not for changing where a refund goes. You must wait for the original refund to be reversed before the IRS will reissue it.
What if the bank says they cannot reverse the deposit?
Banks are required to reverse misdirected federal tax deposits. If a bank refuses, ask to speak with a supervisor and explain that it is a government deposit sent to the wrong account. If they still refuse, contact the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau or your state's banking regulator to file a complaint.