Why the IRS needs your bank account information

The IRS uses your bank account details to deposit tax refunds directly into your checking or savings account instead of mailing a paper check. Direct deposit is faster—typically 21 days or less from the time the IRS accepts your return—and more secure than waiting for mail. You provide this information when you file your tax return, either on paper or electronically.

You may also need to add or update your bank account if you're receiving an IRS payment, such as a refund from an amended return, an Economic Impact Payment, or a Child Tax Credit advance. The IRS keeps your banking details on file so they can send money to the right account without delay.

Key Takeaways

  • You add your bank account to the IRS by providing routing and account numbers on your tax return, either through tax software, a tax professional, or Form 1040 if filing by paper.
  • Direct deposit requires your nine-digit routing number and your full account number, both of which appear on the bottom left of your checks or in your bank's online portal.
  • If you file electronically, the IRS processes direct deposit information immediately; if you file on paper, processing takes longer and the IRS may contact you if information is incomplete.
  • You can update your bank account for future IRS payments through the IRS website, but changes do not affect refunds already in process.
  • If the IRS rejects your bank account information, they will mail your refund instead, and you can resubmit correct details for the next payment.

Finding your routing and account numbers

Your bank account information consists of two numbers: your routing number and your account number. The routing number identifies your bank; the account number identifies your specific account within that bank.

The easiest place to find both is on a check from your account. Look at the bottom left corner. The first set of nine digits is your routing number. The second set of numbers (usually 10 to 12 digits) is your account number. Do not include the check number, which appears on the right.

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 and Account Numbers." You can also call your bank's customer service line and ask for your routing and account numbers—have your account number or Social Security number ready to verify your identity.

Adding your bank account when you file your tax return

The method depends on how you file. If you use tax software—such as TurboTax, H&R Block, or the IRS Free File program—the software will ask for your routing and account number during the return preparation process. Enter the numbers exactly as they appear; do not add spaces or dashes. The software will validate the numbers before you submit.

If you work with a tax professional or CPA, they will ask for your bank details and enter them into your return. Confirm with them that the numbers are correct before they file.

If you file Form 1040 by mail, write your routing number and account number in the spaces provided on the form. The IRS instructions for Form 1040 show exactly where these go. Mail your return to the address listed in the instructions for your state.

Electronic filing is faster and more reliable for direct deposit. The IRS accepts e-filed returns within 24 hours in most cases, and direct deposit begins processing immediately. Paper returns take weeks to process, and the IRS may contact you if the bank information is unclear or incomplete.

Updating your bank account after you have filed

If you need to change your bank account for a refund that has already been filed, you have limited options. The IRS does not have a simple online form to update banking details for a return already submitted. Instead, you must contact the IRS directly.

Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 (individual income tax) during business hours. Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the tax year ready. Explain that you filed with incorrect bank information and need to update it. The IRS representative can note your file, but the change may not take effect if your return is already in the processing queue. If the IRS has already rejected your original bank account information, they will mail your refund instead, and you can provide correct details for future payments.

For future IRS payments—such as refunds from amended returns or advance payments—you can update your information through the IRS website. Go to IRS.gov, sign in with your login.gov account, and navigate to your account dashboard. Some payment types allow you to add or change your bank account before the payment is issued.

What happens if your bank account information is wrong

If you provide incorrect routing or account numbers, the IRS will attempt to deposit your refund. If the numbers do not match a valid account at that bank, the deposit will fail. The bank will reject the transaction and return it to the IRS, a process that takes one to two weeks.

Once the IRS receives the rejection, they will mail your refund as a paper check to the address on your return. This adds two to three weeks to the timeline. You will not receive a notice from the IRS unless the rejection indicates fraud or a security issue; most rejections are treated as routine.

If you realize the error before the IRS processes your return, contact them immediately at 1-800-829-1040 to request a correction. If you catch it after the return is filed but before the refund is issued, the IRS may be able to update your account in time.

Using the IRS Get My Payment tool for advance payments

If you received an Economic Impact Payment (stimulus payment) or advance Child Tax Credit payment, the IRS used the bank account information from your most recent tax return to send the money. If that account is no longer active or you want to redirect future payments to a different account, you can update your information through the IRS Get My Payment tool on IRS.gov.

Sign in with your login.gov account and select the option to update your bank account. You will need your routing and account numbers. Changes take effect for the next scheduled payment, not for payments already issued.

If a payment was rejected because your account was closed or the information was wrong, the IRS will mail a check instead. You can still update your account for any remaining payments in the series.

Security and protecting your banking information

The IRS encrypts your bank account information when you file electronically or submit it through IRS.gov. Your routing and account numbers are stored in the IRS database and used only to process refunds and payments to you.

Never share your routing and account numbers with anyone claiming to represent the IRS unless you initiated the contact. The IRS will not call, text, or email you asking for banking details. If someone contacts you claiming to be from the IRS and requesting your account information, hang up or delete the message and report it to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) at tigta.gov.

When you provide banking information to a tax professional, use someone you trust—a CPA, enrolled agent, or established tax preparation firm. Verify their credentials through the IRS directory of tax professionals if you are unsure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a savings account instead of a checking account for my refund?

Yes. The IRS can deposit to either a checking or savings account as long as you provide the correct routing and account numbers. Some banks process deposits to savings accounts slightly slower, but the difference is usually one or two business days.

What if I closed my bank account after I filed my return?

The IRS will attempt to deposit your refund to the closed account. When the bank rejects the deposit, the IRS will mail a check to your address on file. This adds two to three weeks to the timeline. Update your account information as soon as possible if you have a new bank account and another IRS payment is pending.

Do I need to add my bank account every time I file a tax return?

No. If you file electronically and provide direct deposit information, the IRS stores it. You can use the same account for future returns unless you change banks or close the account. If you file on paper, you will need to include your banking details on each return.

How long does it take for a direct deposit refund to appear in my account?

The IRS typically issues refunds within 21 days of accepting your return. Once issued, the deposit reaches your bank within one to three business days, depending on your bank's processing speed. Some banks post deposits the same day they receive them; others take longer.

What if the IRS deposited money to the wrong account by mistake?

Contact the IRS immediately at 1-800-829-1040 with details of the incorrect deposit. The IRS will investigate and may be able to recover the funds. You will also need to contact the bank where the money was deposited and report that it was sent in error; the bank can help trace and return the funds.