The IRS needs your current bank details to send refunds and tax credits directly to your account

The IRS uses your bank account information to deposit refunds, advance Child Tax Credit payments, and Economic Impact Payments (stimulus checks). If you move banks, close an account, or need to correct the routing or account number on file, you have to update it yourself—the IRS does not automatically sync with your bank. The fastest way is through IRS.gov using your online account, by mail with Form 8888, or by phone during tax season.

Timing matters. If you file a return and the IRS tries to deposit to an old or incorrect account, the money bounces back to the IRS, and you will have to wait for a paper check or resubmit your banking details. That delay can stretch from weeks to months. If you are expecting a refund or credit payment, update your information before you file, or as soon as you know the account has changed.

Key Takeaways

  • The IRS stores your bank account details separately from your tax return, so updating one does not automatically update the other.
  • You can update your account through your IRS online account, by mailing Form 8888 with your tax return, or by calling the IRS during filing season if you have already filed.
  • A rejected deposit sends your refund back to the IRS, which then issues a paper check—a process that typically adds four to six weeks to your wait time.
  • The routing number and account number must match exactly; even a single digit wrong will cause the deposit to fail.
  • If you filed with incorrect banking details, you can update them before the IRS processes your return, but once processed, you will need to wait for a paper check or contact the IRS to reissue the deposit.

Update through your IRS online account before filing

Create or log into your account at IRS.gov using your Social Security number, date of birth, and filing status. Once logged in, go to the "Profile" or "Account Settings" section and look for "Banking Information" or "Direct Deposit Details." Enter your routing number (the nine-digit code for your bank) and your account number exactly as they appear on a check or your bank statement. Save the changes.

This method works best if you update your information weeks before you file your return. The IRS will use the account you have on file when it processes your return. If you file before updating, the IRS may already have your old account flagged for deposit, and changing it afterward requires a different step.

Add or change your account when you file using Form 8888

Form 8888, "Allocation of Refund (Including Savings Bond Purchases)," lets you direct your refund to a specific account at the time you file. You can split your refund across multiple accounts or direct it all to one. Fill in the routing number and account number on the form, attach it to your tax return, and file as usual.

This form is useful if you are filing on paper or if you want to split your refund—for example, sending part to savings and part to checking. If you are filing electronically through tax software or a tax preparer, the software usually has a field for direct deposit information built into the return itself, so you may not need Form 8888. Ask your preparer or check your software's instructions.

Update after filing by phone during tax season

If you have already filed and need to change your banking details before the IRS processes your return, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact routing and account number ready. The IRS can update your information on file, but only if your return has not yet been processed. Once processed, the IRS will attempt to deposit to the account on your return, and you cannot change it retroactively.

Tax season lines are long, so expect to wait. Call early in the morning or later in the week if possible. If you cannot reach the IRS by phone and your return has not been processed, you can also mail a signed letter to the IRS address on your return notice, including your Social Security number, the new routing and account number, and a request to update your banking information before processing.

What happens if your deposit is rejected

If the IRS sends money to a closed account, an incorrect account number, or a wrong routing number, your bank will reject the deposit and send it back to the IRS. The IRS then issues a paper check to the address on file. This process takes an additional four to six weeks from the date of rejection.

You will not receive a notice that the deposit failed; you will simply notice the money did not arrive on the expected date. To check the status of your refund, use the IRS "Where's My Refund?" tool on IRS.gov or call 1-800-829-1040. The tool will tell you if your deposit was rejected and when a check was issued instead.

Find your routing number and account number

Your routing number is the nine-digit code printed at the bottom left of a check. Your account number is printed at the bottom center, after the routing number. Both must be entered exactly as they appear—no dashes, no spaces, no extra digits. If you do not have a check, log into your bank's website or app, call your bank's customer service line, or visit a branch and ask for your routing and account number.

Make sure you are entering the account number for the specific account you want the money to go to. If you have multiple accounts at the same bank (checking and savings, for example), each account has its own account number, even though they share the same routing number. Entering the wrong account number will send your refund to someone else's account at your bank.

Update your information if you receive advance Child Tax Credit or stimulus payments

The IRS uses the same banking details on file to send advance Child Tax Credit payments (sent monthly in 2021) and Economic Impact Payments (stimulus checks). If you updated your account for a tax refund but then changed banks again, you need to update your information again before the next payment is issued.

For advance Child Tax Credit payments, you could also update your information through the Child Tax Credit Update Portal on IRS.gov, which was available during the 2021 payment period. For future stimulus payments, the IRS will use whatever banking information is on file at the time the payment is issued. Check your account details on IRS.gov every few months if you expect multiple payments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I update my bank account after the IRS has already sent my refund?

No. Once the IRS processes your return and initiates the deposit, you cannot change the account. If the deposit fails, you will receive a paper check instead. If the deposit succeeds but goes to the wrong account, you will need to contact your bank to trace the transaction and request a reversal, then contact the IRS to reissue the payment.

What if I entered the wrong routing number or account number on my return?

If you catch the error before the IRS processes your return, call 1-800-829-1040 and ask them to update your banking information. If the return has already been processed and the deposit was rejected, the IRS will issue a paper check. If the deposit went through to the wrong account, contact your bank immediately to report the error and ask them to reverse it.

How long does it take for the IRS to use my updated bank account information?

If you update your account through your IRS online account or by phone before your return is processed, the IRS will use the new information when it deposits your refund. Processing typically takes 21 days from the date the IRS receives your return. If you update after processing has begun, the IRS will use the old information on file.

Do I need to update my account every year?

No. The IRS keeps your banking information on file from year to year. You only need to update it if you change banks, close an account, or need to correct an error. However, if you have not filed a return in several years, it is a good idea to log into your IRS account and verify that your information is still current.

Can I split my refund between two different bank accounts?

Yes, using Form 8888. You can direct part of your refund to one account and the rest to another, or split it among up to three accounts. Fill in the routing and account number for each account and the dollar amount or percentage you want sent to each. Attach the form to your paper return, or use tax software that supports multiple direct deposit accounts.