Where and how to change your bank details on file with the IRS

You can update your checking account information with the IRS through Form 8888, which you file with your tax return, or by calling the IRS directly at 800-829-1040. If you are expecting a refund and need to change where it goes, Form 8888 is the fastest route — it lets you split your refund across up to three accounts or add a new account to receive the full amount. If you have already filed and want to change the account before your refund arrives, a phone call to the IRS is your only option, though you will need your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your return.

The IRS does not have an online portal where you log in and update bank details the way your own bank does. Changes must come through a tax return, a phone call, or a paper form mailed to the IRS. Timing matters: if you change your account after the IRS has already processed your return and sent the refund to the old account, the money will go there first, and you will have to contact your old bank to redirect it.

Key Takeaways

  • Form 8888, filed with your tax return, is the standard way to direct your refund to a checking account or change which account receives it.
  • If you have already filed and need to change your account before the refund arrives, call the IRS at 800-829-1040 with your Social Security number and refund amount ready.
  • The IRS processes refunds in the order they were filed, so changes made after processing has begun may not take effect in time.
  • If your refund was sent to the wrong account, contact that bank first to see if they can reverse or redirect the deposit.

Using Form 8888 to direct your refund to a new or different account

Form 8888 is the IRS form for routing your refund. You fill it out, attach it to your tax return (Form 1040), and submit everything together. The form asks for your routing number and account number — the same information you would give your employer for direct deposit of a paycheck. You can use Form 8888 to send your entire refund to one account, or to split it across up to three accounts (for example, some to checking, some to savings).

To complete Form 8888, you need the routing number and account number for the checking account you want to use. Your bank provides both on a deposit slip or in your online banking portal. The routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies your bank; the account number is unique to your account. Double-check both before you file — a single wrong digit sends your refund to someone else's account, and recovering it takes weeks.

File Form 8888 with your return by the tax deadline (usually April 15). If you file electronically, your tax software will ask whether you want direct deposit and will guide you through entering the routing and account numbers. If you file on paper, print Form 8888, fill it out by hand, and include it in the envelope with your return.

Calling the IRS to change your account after you have filed

If you have already filed your return and realize you need to change the account where your refund will land, call the IRS at 800-829-1040. Have your Social Security number, filing status (single, married filing jointly, etc.), and the exact refund amount from your return ready before you call. The IRS representative will verify your identity using this information and can update your account in the system.

This works only if the IRS has not yet processed your return and sent the refund out. Once the money has been deposited to the original account, the IRS cannot redirect it — you will have to contact the bank that received it. Call as soon as you realize the account is wrong; the IRS processes returns in batches, and the sooner you call, the better your chances of catching it before processing.

Wait times at the IRS can be long, especially during tax season (January through April). Call early in the morning or later in the week if possible. Have a pen and paper ready to write down the representative's name and the date and time of your call in case you need to follow up.

What to do if your refund went to the wrong account

If your refund has already been deposited to an old or incorrect account, contact that bank immediately. Explain that a deposit was made in error and ask whether they can reverse it or redirect it to the correct account. Banks can sometimes do this within a few days if the deposit is recent and the account holder (you) requests it.

If the bank cannot reverse the deposit, contact the IRS and explain what happened. The IRS can issue a replacement check or arrange a new direct deposit to the correct account, but this process takes several weeks. You will need to provide the IRS with the account number where the money went, the date it was deposited, and the amount. The IRS will investigate and, once they confirm the error, reissue your refund.

If someone else's account received your refund by mistake (not your own old account), the situation is more complicated. The IRS will still work with you to reissue the refund, but it may take longer because the money is in another person's account and the bank may need a court order to reverse it. Start by calling the IRS at 800-829-1040 to report the error.

Updating your account for future years

Once you have successfully received a refund in a checking account, you do not have to re-enter the routing and account numbers every year — but you should verify them each time you file. Banks occasionally change routing numbers (especially after mergers), and if you move to a different bank, you will need new numbers.

If you use tax software to file, it will remember the account information from the previous year and ask whether you want to use the same account again. Review it carefully before you submit. If you file on paper, you will need to fill out Form 8888 again with the current routing and account numbers.

If you change banks or open a new account, do not assume the routing number is the same. Look it up in your new bank's online portal or call them directly. Using an old routing number with a new bank sends your refund to the wrong place.

Timing: when the IRS processes your refund and when changes take effect

The IRS typically processes refunds within 21 days of receiving your return, though this varies depending on whether you file electronically or on paper and whether your return requires manual review. If you file electronically, processing is usually faster. If you file on paper, add time for the IRS to receive and scan your return.

Changes to your account information take effect only if they are made before the IRS processes your return. Once processing begins, the refund is routed to the account on file at that moment. If you call to change your account after processing has started, the IRS may not be able to stop the deposit.

You can track your refund status using the IRS "Where's My Refund?" tool on IRS.gov. This tool shows you whether your return has been received, is being processed, or has been approved for refund. It updates once per day and will tell you the expected deposit date once the refund has been approved.

Common mistakes when updating your checking account with the IRS

The most common error is transposing a digit in the routing number or account number. A single wrong digit means your refund goes to a different account — possibly someone else's. Before you file, verify both numbers by comparing them to a recent deposit slip, a check, or your bank's website. Do not rely on memory.

Another mistake is assuming your routing number has not changed. If you switched banks or your bank merged with another, the routing number may be different. Call your bank or check their website to confirm the current routing number before you file.

Some people file Form 8888 but do not include it with their return, or they file electronically but do not enter the account information in the tax software. If you use tax software, it will prompt you for direct deposit information — do not skip that step. If you file on paper, print Form 8888, fill it out, and include it in the same envelope as your return.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my account information after I have already filed but before my refund arrives?

Yes, if you call the IRS before your return has been processed. Call 800-829-1040 with your Social Security number, filing status, and refund amount ready. The IRS can update your account in the system, but only if processing has not yet begun. Once the refund has been approved and sent to the original account, the IRS cannot redirect it.

What if I do not know my routing number?

Your bank provides your routing number on deposit slips, checks, and in your online banking portal. You can also call your bank or visit their website and search for "routing number." Do not guess — a wrong routing number sends your refund to the wrong place.

Can I split my refund between two accounts?

Yes, using Form 8888. You can direct part of your refund to one account and the rest to another (or split it three ways). Specify the amount or percentage for each account on the form. This is useful if you want to send part of your refund to savings and keep part in checking.

How long does it take for the IRS to process a change to my account?

If you call the IRS to change your account before processing begins, the change takes effect immediately in their system. If you file Form 8888 with your return, the account information is processed along with your return, usually within 21 days of filing. Once the refund has been approved and sent, no further changes are possible.

What happens if I give the IRS the wrong account number?

Your refund will be deposited to that account. Contact the bank that received it and ask them to reverse the deposit. If they cannot, contact the IRS at 800-829-1040 to report the error. The IRS will reissue your refund to the correct account, but this process takes several weeks.