BOFA is a bank code that tells you where your money is going
BOFA stands for Bank of America. When you see this code on a refund status page, payment notification, or tax document, it means the money is being sent to or has been sent to a Bank of America account. The IRS, state tax agencies, and other government bodies use bank codes like this one to route payments to the right financial institution.
If you set up direct deposit for a tax refund, stimulus payment, or other government payment, BOFA tells you which bank will receive the funds. It is not a separate account or a special program — it is simply the routing identifier for Bank of America.
You will most often see BOFA on IRS refund tracking pages, state tax portals, or payment confirmation letters. It appears alongside your account type (checking or savings) and the last four digits of your account number, so you can confirm the money is headed to the right place.
Key Takeaways
- BOFA is the bank code for Bank of America and appears on refund status pages to show where your payment will land.
- Seeing BOFA on your refund tracking means you chose direct deposit to a Bank of America account when you filed or registered.
- The code appears alongside your account type and the last four digits of your account number for verification purposes.
- If BOFA is not the bank you intended, contact the IRS or your state tax agency before the payment is processed to change the routing information.
- Once a payment has been sent to BOFA, you cannot redirect it — you must contact Bank of America to locate the funds or request a trace.
Where you see BOFA on refund pages
The IRS "Where's My Refund?" tool shows BOFA when your refund is set to arrive by direct deposit. Log in with your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your return. The tool displays the bank code, account type, and last four digits of the account receiving the money.
State tax agencies use the same format. If you filed a state return and chose direct deposit, your state's refund tracker will show BOFA if you directed the payment to Bank of America. Some states also display this information in email confirmations or PDF notices sent after you file.
You may also see BOFA on notices from the Social Security Administration, the Department of Veterans Affairs, or other federal agencies that send payments by direct deposit. The code works the same way across all of them — it is simply the routing destination for your money.
What to do if BOFA is wrong
If you see BOFA on your refund status but you do not have a Bank of America account, or if you intended the money to go to a different bank, act quickly. Contact the IRS or your state tax agency before the payment is processed. The IRS phone line is 1-800-829-1040. State tax agencies have their own phone numbers, listed on your state's tax website.
Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the refund amount ready. Explain that the bank code is incorrect and provide the correct routing number, account type, and account number for the bank where you want the money sent. The agency can update your direct deposit information if the payment has not yet been released.
Once the money has been sent to BOFA, you cannot redirect it through the tax agency. You will need to contact Bank of America directly to find out whether the funds arrived in an account there, or to request a payment trace if the account does not exist.
How direct deposit routing works
When you file a tax return or register for a government payment, you provide your bank's routing number and your account number. The routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies your bank. BOFA is the shorthand code for Bank of America's routing number in the system.
The IRS and other agencies use this information to send your refund or payment electronically instead of by check. Direct deposit is faster — refunds typically arrive within one to three business days after the agency releases the payment — and there is no risk of a check getting lost in the mail.
If you have multiple accounts at different banks, make sure you enter the correct routing number and account number for the account where you want the money to land. A mistake here means your refund goes to the wrong place, and retrieving it becomes complicated.
What happens after money arrives at BOFA
Once your refund or payment is deposited into your Bank of America account, the money is yours to use. Bank of America does not hold government refunds or payments in a separate status — they appear in your account balance like any other deposit.
If you do not see the money in your account within three business days of the IRS or agency saying it was sent, contact Bank of America's customer service at 1-800-432-1000. Have your account number and the date the payment was supposed to arrive. Bank of America can check whether the deposit was received and where it went.
If the account number on file does not match any Bank of America account, or if the account was closed before the payment arrived, the money may be returned to the IRS or agency. You will receive a notice explaining what happened and instructions for resubmitting your direct deposit information or receiving a check instead.
Changing your bank after you file
If you closed your Bank of America account after filing your return but before your refund arrived, contact the IRS or your state tax agency immediately. Explain that the account is no longer active and provide your new bank's routing number and account number.
The agency can update your direct deposit information if the payment has not been released yet. If the payment has already been sent to the closed account, the bank will return it to the IRS, and you will receive a check or be asked to resubmit new direct deposit details.
This process takes longer than a normal refund — expect an additional two to four weeks after the money is returned to the agency. Provide a current mailing address so the check reaches you, or update your direct deposit information as soon as you know the account is closed.
BOFA and joint accounts
If your Bank of America account is a joint account, the refund or payment will be deposited to that account and both account holders can access it. The IRS does not distinguish between individual and joint accounts — it sends the money to the routing number and account number you provided.
Make sure both account holders know a refund is coming, especially if one person filed the return and the other did not. This prevents confusion about where the money came from or who it belongs to. The account holder whose name is on the return is responsible for the refund, but both can withdraw from a joint account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my direct deposit from BOFA to another bank after I file?
Yes, but only before the payment is released. Contact the IRS or your state tax agency with your new bank's routing number and account number. Once the payment has been sent, you cannot redirect it — you must wait for it to arrive at BOFA or be returned if the account does not exist.
What does BOFA mean if I see it on my tax return or notice?
It means you chose direct deposit to a Bank of America account when you filed. The code appears on your return and on agency notices to confirm where your refund or payment will be sent.
My refund shows BOFA but I do not have a Bank of America account. What happens?
Contact the IRS or your state tax agency right away to update your direct deposit information. If the payment is already sent to a non-existent account, it will be returned to the agency, and you will receive a check or be asked to resubmit your banking details.
How long does it take for money to show up in my BOFA account after the IRS releases it?
Direct deposits typically arrive within one to three business days after the IRS or agency releases the payment. If you do not see it within three business days, contact Bank of America to confirm the deposit was received.
Can I use BOFA to track my refund status?
No. BOFA is just the bank code showing where your money is going. Use the IRS "Where's My Refund?" tool or your state's tax portal to track your refund status. Bank of America can only tell you whether the deposit arrived in your account.