The IRS uses the bank account on file from your most recent tax return to send stimulus money

When the IRS sends a stimulus payment, it deposits the money into the bank account listed on your last filed tax return. If that account is closed, incorrect, or no longer yours, the payment bounces back to the IRS and you do not receive it automatically. You can update your bank account information directly with the IRS using their online tool, by mail, or by phone — but the method depends on whether you have already filed a return for the year the stimulus was issued.

The IRS does not send you a notice before depositing stimulus money. Once a payment is issued, it typically arrives within one to three business days if the account information is correct. If it is not, the IRS will hold the money and you will need to claim it on your tax return or update your account details to trigger a redeposit.

Key Takeaways

  • The IRS deposits stimulus payments to the bank account on your most recent tax return, not to an account you provide separately.
  • You can update your bank account with the IRS using the Get My Payment tool on IRS.gov if you have not yet filed a return for that tax year.
  • If you have already filed a return for the year the stimulus was issued, you cannot change your bank account with the IRS — you must claim the payment on your next return or wait for a check by mail.
  • Stimulus money sent to a closed or wrong account is held by the IRS and returned to you only if you file a return or contact the IRS to provide correct account details before the payment expires.

Using the Get My Payment tool to update your account before filing

If you have not yet filed a tax return for the year the stimulus was issued, you can use the IRS Get My Payment tool to update your bank account information online. Go to IRS.gov, search for "Get My Payment," and enter your Social Security number, date of birth, and mailing address. The tool will show you the status of your stimulus payment and, if it has not been issued yet, allow you to add or change your bank account.

You will need your routing number and account number from a blank check or your bank's website. Enter the account type (checking or savings), the routing number, and the account number. The IRS will verify the information and, if correct, use that account for your stimulus deposit. This update typically takes effect within one to two business days, though the IRS may take longer during high-volume periods.

The Get My Payment tool is available only during certain windows and only for payments that have not yet been issued. Once the IRS marks a payment as "sent," you can no longer change the account through this tool, even if the payment has not arrived yet.

What to do if you have already filed a return for that tax year

If you filed a tax return for the year the stimulus was issued — for example, you filed your 2023 return before the 2023 stimulus payment was sent — you cannot update your bank account with the IRS using Get My Payment. The IRS will deposit the money to the account on that filed return, and you have no way to redirect it online.

Your options are to wait for the payment to arrive at the old account (if it is still open), claim the payment on your next tax return if it was never deposited, or contact the IRS by phone to request a check by mail instead. Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and explain that your account information has changed. They can issue a check, though this adds several weeks to the timeline.

Claiming a stimulus payment you never received on your tax return

If a stimulus payment was sent to a closed account or the wrong bank and you never received it, you can claim the money on your next tax return. When you file, you will report the stimulus as a payment you received, even though you did not actually get it. The IRS will then issue you the amount as a refund or credit toward taxes owed.

To claim the payment, you need the IRS notice that was mailed to you, which shows the payment amount and date. If you did not receive a notice, you can look up the payment amount on Get My Payment or call the IRS. On your tax return, you will enter the stimulus amount in the section for recovery rebate credits (or the equivalent section for that tax year). The IRS will match this against their records and pay you the difference if you did not receive the full amount.

Updating your account for future tax refunds and payments

Stimulus payments are tied to your most recent filed tax return. To ensure future payments — including tax refunds and any additional stimulus — go to the correct account, update your bank account information when you file your next return. On the tax return form itself, there is a section for direct deposit information where you can enter your routing number and account number.

You can also update your bank account information with the IRS outside of tax season by calling 1-800-829-1040 or by mail. Send a letter to the IRS address for your state (listed on IRS.gov) with your name, Social Security number, the new routing and account numbers, and a statement that you want to update your direct deposit information for future payments. Include a copy of a voided check or bank statement showing the account details. The IRS will process this update, though it may take several weeks.

What happens if the IRS sends money to a closed account

If your bank account was closed before the stimulus deposit arrived, the bank will reject the payment and return it to the IRS. The IRS will hold the money and attempt to redeposit it once if you update your account information through Get My Payment. If you do not update your account or if the second deposit also fails, the IRS will mail you a check instead, which can take four to six weeks.

You will not lose the money, but you will experience a delay. The IRS will send you a notice in the mail showing that the deposit failed and explaining your options. If you see this notice and have a new account open, you can use Get My Payment to provide the updated account details and request a redeposit. Otherwise, wait for the check.

Protecting your account information when updating with the IRS

The IRS Get My Payment tool is the official, secure way to update your bank account. Do not provide your routing and account numbers to anyone who contacts you by phone, email, or text claiming to be from the IRS. The IRS does not initiate contact about stimulus payments by phone or email.

If you need to call the IRS to update your account, always initiate the call yourself using the number on an official IRS notice or on IRS.gov. Do not use a phone number from an email or text message. Scammers often pose as the IRS to steal bank account information, so verify you are speaking to the real IRS before sharing any details.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my bank account after the IRS says my payment was sent?

No. Once the IRS marks a payment as "sent" in Get My Payment, you cannot change the account through that tool. If the payment has not arrived within three business days, contact the IRS by phone at 1-800-829-1040 to request a check by mail instead.

What if I updated my account in Get My Payment but the money still went to the old account?

This can happen if the update did not process in time before the payment was issued. Check your old account to see if the money arrived there. If it did, transfer it to your new account. If it did not, call the IRS to confirm the payment status and request a redeposit or check.

Do I need to update my account every time there is a stimulus payment?

No. The IRS uses the account on your most recent filed tax return for all payments. You only need to update it if you change banks or close an account. When you file your next tax return, you can provide a new account number on the return itself, and that will be used for future payments.

How long does it take for the IRS to process a bank account update?

Updates through Get My Payment typically take one to two business days. Updates by phone or mail can take two to four weeks. If you are updating to receive a redeposit of a stimulus payment, the IRS will attempt the new deposit within one to two business days of processing your update.