The basic steps to add someone to your account
Adding an account holder depends on what kind of account you have and which organization manages it. For tax refunds, you work through the IRS or your state tax authority. For insurance refunds, you contact your insurance company directly. For business refunds or stimulus payments, the process varies by the program. In almost every case, you will need the person's full legal name, Social Security number or tax ID, and their current address.
The person you are adding must sign documents or verify their identity, either in person or electronically. Some organizations require a notarized form; others accept electronic signatures through their website or app. Start by contacting the organization that holds your account—not a third party—because they will tell you exactly which documents they need and whether you can do this online or must visit in person.
Timelines vary widely. Adding someone to a tax account can take two to four weeks if done by mail, or same-day if done online through the IRS portal. Insurance companies typically process account changes within three to five business days. Business accounts may take longer depending on the company's verification requirements.
Key Takeaways
- Contact the organization that holds your account directly—the IRS, your state tax authority, your insurance company, or your business account manager—to learn their specific process for adding someone.
- You will need the new account holder's full legal name, Social Security number or tax ID, and current address, and they must verify their identity in writing or electronically.
- Online methods through official portals are usually faster than mailing in forms, often completing within one business day instead of two to four weeks.
- After you submit the request, check back with the organization in one week to confirm it was received and is being processed.
Adding a holder to a tax refund account
For federal tax refunds, you can add an account holder through the IRS website if you have an IRS account set up. Log in to IRS.gov, go to your account settings, and look for the option to manage authorized users or representatives. You will need the person's Social Security number and consent—they must agree to be added and may need to verify their identity through the IRS's identity verification system.
If you do not have an online IRS account, you can mail Form 2848 (Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative) or Form 8821 (Tax Information Authorization) to the IRS address listed on your tax return. These forms give someone the right to receive information about your refund or represent you to the IRS. The person you name must sign the form, and you must sign it as well. Mail it to the IRS office that handles your tax return—usually the one in your state.
For state tax refunds, contact your state's department of revenue or taxation directly. Most states have an online portal where you can add someone, but the process and requirements differ. Some states require a notarized form; others accept electronic signatures. Call your state tax authority's main line and ask for the procedure to add an account holder.
Adding a holder to an insurance refund account
Contact your insurance company's customer service line or log into your online account. Most insurers let you add an authorized user or secondary account holder through their website. You will need the person's full name, date of birth, relationship to you, and Social Security number. Some companies require you to print and mail a signed form; others complete the process entirely online.
Ask the insurance company whether adding someone gives them the right to receive refund information, make changes to the policy, or only view the account. These permissions vary by company and by the type of insurance. If you want someone to receive refund checks directly, confirm that the company can mail checks to a different address or set up direct deposit for that person.
Adding a holder to a business or stimulus payment account
If you received a stimulus payment or business refund through a government program, the process depends on which program issued it. For Economic Impact Payments (stimulus checks), you cannot add a holder after the payment was issued. If you need to change who receives future payments, contact the agency that manages the program—usually the Treasury Department or your state's economic development office.
For business refunds from the Small Business Administration, the IRS, or state agencies, contact the specific agency that issued the refund. You will likely need to provide a corporate resolution or board authorization showing that the new person has the right to act on behalf of the business. Some agencies require a notarized document; others accept a letter from the business owner on company letterhead.
What to do if the organization will not add the person you want
Some organizations have rules about who can be added as an account holder. Banks and insurance companies may require the person to be a spouse, adult child, or power of attorney. Government agencies may only allow certain types of representatives, such as tax professionals or attorneys.
If the organization will not add the person as a full account holder, ask whether you can authorize them as a representative instead. This usually gives them the right to receive information and make inquiries on your behalf, but not to change account settings or receive payments directly. Form 2848 and Form 8821 for the IRS, and similar authorization forms for other agencies, can accomplish this.
If you need someone to receive refund payments on your behalf but the organization will not add them, ask whether you can change the mailing address or direct deposit information to a joint account, a trust account, or an account in both names. This is often faster than adding a new account holder.
Tracking the status of your request
After you submit your request to add an account holder, write down the date, the name of the person you spoke with, and any confirmation number or reference number they gave you. If you submitted a form by mail, keep a copy for your records.
Wait one week, then contact the organization again to confirm they received your request. Ask for an estimated completion date. If the organization says it will take longer than two weeks, ask whether there is a faster method—many organizations process online requests faster than mailed forms.
If two weeks have passed and the account holder has not been added, call again and ask to speak with a supervisor. Bring your confirmation number and the date you submitted the request. Ask them to check the status in their system and tell you whether anything else is needed from you.
What happens after someone is added to your account
Once the account holder is added, they will usually receive a confirmation letter or email from the organization. This letter will explain what they can and cannot do with the account. Read it carefully to make sure the permissions match what you intended.
If you added someone as a full account holder, they can usually receive refund information, make inquiries, and in some cases change account settings. If you added them as a representative or authorized user, their permissions are more limited. You can usually remove them at any time by contacting the organization again.
If the refund is issued after the account holder is added, the organization will send it according to the instructions on file—usually to the address you provided or through direct deposit to the account you set up. Confirm with the new account holder that they received the refund or notification about it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add someone to my account if they live in a different state?
Yes. You will need their current address wherever they live, but there is no requirement that they live in the same state as you. Some organizations may ask for additional verification if the address is out of state, but most will proceed normally.
What if the person I want to add does not have a Social Security number?
Contact the organization directly and ask what identification they will accept instead. Some organizations accept an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), a passport number, or a driver's license number. Others may not be able to add someone without a Social Security number. Ask this question before you start the process.
Do I need a lawyer to add an account holder?
No. Most account holders can be added through a simple form or online process. You only need a lawyer if you are setting up a power of attorney for someone to make legal decisions on your behalf, which is different from adding them to a refund account. For refunds alone, you can do this yourself.
Can I add someone after the refund has already been issued?
No. Once a refund is issued, it has already been sent to the address or account on file. You cannot redirect it by adding a new account holder. If the refund went to the wrong place, contact the organization about a replacement check or deposit, and add the correct account holder for future refunds.
What if I want to remove someone from my account later?
Contact the organization and ask for the process to remove an authorized user or account holder. This is usually simpler than adding someone and can often be done online or over the phone. You may need to provide a reason, but most organizations will remove someone if you request it.