How to Update Your Bank Account for Your Tax Refund

Where to change your direct deposit information

You change your direct deposit details on the same tax return you file — either on the paper form itself or in the software you use to file online. The IRS does not have a separate system to update banking information after you have already filed. If you need to change your account before filing, you do it as part of filling out the return. If you have already filed and need to change where the refund goes, the process is different and more limited.

For federal returns, the direct deposit section appears on Form 1040 (the main individual income tax form) in the "Refund" area. If you file using tax software — TurboTax, H&R Block, TaxAct, FreeTaxUSA, or others — the software walks you through a series of questions about your bank and asks for your routing number and account number. State returns have their own direct deposit fields, separate from federal.

The key detail: the IRS processes the information you provide on the return you file. Changing it later requires either amending the return or contacting the IRS directly, both of which take longer than getting it right the first time.

Key Takeaways

Direct deposit information goes on your tax return itself — either the paper Form 1040 or in the online filing software — not in a separate IRS portal.
You need your routing number (nine digits, identifies your bank) and your account number (identifies your specific account), both found on a check or your bank's website.
If you file electronically and realize the account number is wrong before the return is accepted, you can usually cancel and refile with the correct information.
If the IRS has already accepted your return and you need to change the account, you must file Form 1040-X (amended return) or call the IRS to request a check instead.
State tax refunds use separate direct deposit fields on your state return and do not automatically go to the same account as your federal refund.

Finding your routing number and account number

Your routing number and account number appear on the bottom left of any check you have written from that account. The routing number is the first set of nine digits, the account number follows it. If you do not have a check, log into your bank's website or mobile app — most banks display both numbers in the account details or settings section, sometimes labeled "Account Information" or "Routing Information."

Call your bank's customer service line if you cannot find these numbers online. Have your account number ready when you call, and they can confirm the routing number in under a minute. Do not guess or use a number from a different account; a wrong routing number sends your refund to a different bank entirely, and a wrong account number sends it to someone else's account at the correct bank.

If you are changing banks or opening a new account specifically to receive your refund, make sure the new account is open and active before you file. Some banks take one to two business days to fully set up a new account, and the IRS will reject a direct deposit to an account that does not yet exist.

Changing your account before you file

If you have not yet filed your return, straightforward enter the correct routing and account numbers when you reach the direct deposit section. In tax software, this is usually a straightforward form with labeled fields. On paper Form 1040, the routing number goes in the boxes labeled "Routing number" and the account number in the boxes labeled "Account number," both in the "Refund" section.

If you are filing electronically and catch an error after you have submitted the return but before the IRS accepts it, you may be able to cancel the submission and refile. Tax software usually shows you a confirmation screen with an option to cancel within a short window — often 24 hours. Contact your tax software provider or the IRS to confirm whether cancellation is still possible; if it is, you can then file again with the correct information.

Once the IRS has accepted your return (you will receive an acceptance confirmation email if you filed electronically, or a notice in the mail if you filed on paper), you cannot straightforward resubmit with new banking details. At that point, you need to amend the return or request a check instead.

Changing your account after you have filed

If the IRS has already accepted your return and you need to change the direct deposit account, you have two main options: file an amended return using Form 1040-X, or contact the IRS to request that your refund be issued as a check instead.

Filing Form 1040-X takes longer than the original return — typically four to six weeks for processing — and you will need to explain which line item you are changing (in this case, the direct deposit information). You can file Form 1040-X on paper or electronically through tax software that supports amendments. The form must be filed before the refund is issued; once the money has been deposited or a check has been mailed, amending the return does not reverse the transaction.

The faster option is to call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and request that your refund be issued as a check instead of direct deposit. This works only if the refund has not yet been issued. The IRS can tell you the status of your refund using your Social Security number, filing status, and the refund amount. If the check has already been mailed, you will need to wait for it to arrive, then deposit it yourself.

What happens if the account information is wrong

If you provided an incorrect routing number, the refund goes to the wrong bank. The receiving bank will reject it, and it bounces back to the IRS. The IRS then reissues the refund as a check, which is mailed to the address on your return. This process adds two to four weeks to your refund timeline.

If you provided a correct routing number but an incorrect account number, the refund may be deposited into someone else's account at that bank. Once money enters another person's account, recovering it is difficult and requires the receiving bank to investigate and reverse the transaction — a process that can take weeks or months. This is why double-checking the account number before you file is critical.

If you realize the error before the refund is issued, contact the IRS when ready. If the error is discovered after the refund has been deposited, contact your bank to report the error and ask them to initiate a reversal. You will also need to file Form 1040-X to correct the return itself, even though the bank is handling the money.

State tax refunds and separate direct deposit

Your state tax return has its own direct deposit section, separate from your federal return. The account you choose for your state refund does not have to be the same as the account for your federal refund. Some people use one account for federal and a different account for state, or they may request a check for one and direct deposit for the other.

State forms vary by state, but most state returns filed electronically include direct deposit fields in the filing software or on the state's online filing portal. Paper state returns also have direct deposit sections. The routing and account numbers are the same format as federal — nine-digit routing number and your account number — but they go on the state form, not the federal form.

If you file through a tax software that handles both federal and state, the software usually asks you to confirm the direct deposit information for each return separately. Pay attention to which return you are filling out at each step, because entering the wrong account for your state return will send that refund to the wrong place.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my direct deposit account after the IRS accepts my return?

Yes, but it requires either filing an amended return (Form 1040-X) or calling the IRS to request a check instead. Both options take longer than getting the account right on the original return. If the refund has already been issued, you cannot reverse it through an amendment; you must wait for the check or contact your bank if the money went to the wrong account.

What if I do not have a bank account yet?

You can request that your refund be issued as a check instead of direct deposit. straightforward leave the direct deposit section blank on your return, or select "check" if that option is available in your tax software. The check will be mailed to the address on your return within two to three weeks of the return being accepted.

Do I need to use the same account for federal and state refunds?

No. Your state return has its own direct deposit section, and you can direct your state refund to a different account than your federal refund. Some people use one account for federal and request a check for state, or vice versa. Each return is processed separately.

What is the difference between routing number and account number?

The routing number identifies which bank holds your account (nine digits). The account number identifies your specific account at that bank. Both are required for direct deposit. A wrong routing number sends the refund to the wrong bank; a wrong account number sends it to the wrong account at the correct bank.

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

The IRS typically issues refunds within 21 days of accepting your return. Once issued, the refund usually appears in your bank account within one to three business days, depending on your bank's processing speed. If you file on paper, add an extra week or two for the IRS to process the form before the 21-day clock starts.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.