Yes, you can change your bank account number, but the timing matters
You can change your bank account number at any time through your bank. The question is whether that change will affect a refund or payment already on its way to you. If a refund has already been processed and sent to your old account number, changing it now will not redirect that money — it will still land in the old account. If you change your account number before a refund is issued, the new number will be used instead.
The risk is timing. Federal tax refunds, state refunds, insurance payouts, and business refunds all move on different schedules. If you change your account number in the middle of processing, the payment might go to the old account, the new account, or get rejected entirely. The safest approach is to know the exact status of your refund before you make any changes.
Key Takeaways
- A refund already sent to your old account number cannot be redirected — you will need to contact the issuing agency or your old bank to recover it.
- If you change your account number before a refund is processed, the new number will be used, but only if the system has time to update.
- Federal tax refunds take 21 calendar days or longer to process; changing your account number during that window creates risk.
- The safest time to change your account number is after you have confirmed the refund has landed in your current account.
- If you must change your account number before a refund arrives, contact the issuing agency directly to confirm the change was recorded.
How to change your bank account number
Contact your bank directly — by phone, online banking, or in person at a branch. Tell them you want to close your current account or open a new one. If you are closing the old account, ask whether the bank will forward incoming payments to your new account for a set period (usually 30 to 90 days). Some banks offer this service; others do not.
If your bank does not forward payments, you will need to update your account number with every organization that sends you money: your employer, the IRS, your state tax agency, insurance companies, and any other payers. Do not assume they have your new number just because you changed it at the bank.
Write down both your old and new account numbers, your old and new routing numbers, and the date you made the change. Keep this record until you have confirmed that all expected refunds and payments have arrived in your new account.
Changing your account number before a federal tax refund arrives
The IRS processes tax refunds in batches. Once your return is accepted, the IRS has your account number on file. If you change your account number after filing but before the refund is issued, the IRS will not automatically update its records — you have to tell them.
Use the IRS's Where's My Refund tool on IRS.gov to check your refund status. If the status shows "Refund Approved" or "Refund Sent," the money is already on its way to your old account number, and changing it now will not help. If the status shows "Return Received" or "Being Processed," you still have time.
To update your account number with the IRS, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. your local time). Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount ready. The IRS will update the account number in their system, but this change may not take effect if your refund has already been sent to the payment processor.
Changing your account number before a state tax refund arrives
State tax agencies work differently from the IRS. Some states allow you to update your account number online through your state tax portal; others require a phone call or written request. Check your state's tax agency website for the exact process.
If you have already filed and your refund is in process, contact your state tax agency directly. Provide your Social Security number, filing status, and the date you filed. Ask them to confirm whether your refund has been issued yet. If it has not, ask them to update your account number in their system and confirm the change in writing.
State refund timelines vary. Some states issue refunds within two to three weeks; others take six to eight weeks. The longer the processing time, the safer it is to change your account number early. The shorter the processing time, the riskier it is.
What happens if a refund goes to your old account number
If a refund lands in your old account after you have closed it or switched banks, the money does not disappear — but retrieving it takes extra steps. Contact your old bank first. Explain that a refund was deposited into an account you no longer own. Ask whether they can forward the deposit to your new account or return it to the sender.
If your old bank cannot help, contact the organization that issued the refund. For federal tax refunds, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. For state refunds, call your state tax agency. For insurance refunds, call your insurance company. For business refunds, contact the business directly. Provide proof that the refund was sent to the wrong account and ask them to reissue it to your new account number.
This process can take several weeks. The issuing organization will typically issue a replacement check or initiate a new electronic transfer, which adds another processing period on top of the time you have already waited.
Changing your account number for insurance or business refunds
If you are waiting for an insurance refund or a business refund, the process depends on whether the refund has been approved and sent, or is still being processed.
Contact the insurance company or business directly. Provide your policy number or account number and ask for the status of your refund. If the refund has not been issued yet, ask them to update your account number in their system. If the refund has already been sent, ask whether it can be recalled or reissued to a different account.
Insurance companies and businesses are not required to forward payments the way some banks do, so changing your account number with them does not may provide the refund will reach your new account. Always confirm the change directly with the organization.
Protecting yourself when you change accounts
Before you close an old account, make a list of every organization that sends you money: your employer, the IRS, your state tax agency, insurance companies, investment firms, and any other regular payers. Contact each one and update your account information.
Do not close your old account immediately. Keep it open for at least 90 days after you change your account number, or until you have confirmed that all expected refunds and payments have arrived in your new account. This gives you a window to catch any payments that went to the old account and redirect them.
If you must close your old account sooner, ask your bank whether they offer payment forwarding. Some banks will automatically redirect incoming deposits to your new account for a limited time at no charge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the IRS send my refund to a different account if I change it after I file?
Yes, but only if you contact the IRS before your refund is issued. Use Where's My Refund to check the status. If it shows "Refund Sent," the money is already on its way to your old account. If it shows "Being Processed," call 1-800-829-1040 to update your account number.
What if I closed my old bank account and a refund was sent to it?
Contact your old bank and explain the situation. Many banks will hold the deposit or forward it to your new account if you can prove you own both accounts. If the bank cannot help, contact the organization that issued the refund and ask them to reissue it to your new account number.
How long should I keep my old account open after changing banks?
Keep it open for at least 90 days, or until all expected refunds and payments have arrived in your new account. This gives you time to catch any payments sent to the old account and redirect them before the account is closed.
Do I need to update my account number with my employer if I change banks?
Yes. Your employer has your old account number on file for direct deposit. Contact your payroll or human resources department and provide your new account and routing numbers. Do not assume the change at your bank will reach your employer automatically.
Can a refund be rejected if I change my account number right before it is sent?
It is possible. If the system tries to send a refund to an account number that no longer exists or does not match the routing number on file, the transfer may fail. The issuing organization will typically hold the refund and contact you, but this adds time and requires you to provide correct account information.