Yes, you can change the account where your tax refund lands, but the method depends on whether you've already filed or the refund is already in process
If you haven't filed your return yet, you can simply enter the correct account number on your tax form. If you've already filed and want to change where the money goes, the IRS lets you do this through their online portal or by contacting them directly — but timing matters. Once the refund has been issued and is in transit to your original account, changing it becomes much harder.
The IRS processes millions of refunds on set schedules, so the sooner you catch the mistake or change your mind, the more options you have. If your refund has already landed in the wrong account, you'll need to work with that bank to reverse it, which is a separate process from changing your filing information.
Key Takeaways
- Before you file, you can enter any account number on your return — there's no penalty for changing your mind about which bank to use.
- After filing but before the refund is issued, you can change your account through IRS.gov or by calling the IRS directly.
- Once the IRS has issued your refund to a specific account, you cannot change it through the IRS; you must contact the bank that received it.
- If a refund lands in the wrong account by mistake, contact that bank immediately to request a reversal, which usually takes five to ten business days.
- The IRS posts refund status updates every 24 hours, so check "Where's My Refund?" before attempting any changes to see whether your refund has already been issued.
Changing your account before you file your return
This is the simplest scenario. If you're preparing your return and realize you want the refund to go to a different bank account, just enter the correct account number on the form. There's no approval needed and no penalty — the IRS will send your refund to whichever account you list on the return you actually submit.
Make sure you have the right routing number and account number before you file. A single digit wrong will send your refund to someone else's account or cause it to bounce back to the IRS, which delays everything. Double-check both numbers against a recent check, your bank's website, or by calling your bank directly.
Changing your account after filing but before the refund is issued
If you've already filed and want to change where your refund goes, you have two routes: the IRS website or the phone.
Through IRS.gov: Log into your IRS account at IRS.gov and use the "View Your Tax Account" tool. From there, you can see your return information and, in some cases, update your banking details. This only works if your refund hasn't been issued yet — the system will tell you if it's too late.
By phone: Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the refund amount ready. The IRS representative can confirm whether your refund has been issued and, if it hasn't, update your account information. Wait times are typically shorter early in the morning or later in the week.
The key question is whether your refund has already been issued. The IRS updates "Where's My Refund?" every 24 hours, so check there first. If the status says "Approved" or "Issued," you've passed the point where the IRS can change the account — you'll need to contact your bank instead.
What to do if your refund has already been issued to the wrong account
Once the IRS has issued your refund, the money is out of their hands. You need to contact the bank that received it and ask them to reverse the deposit. This is not the IRS's responsibility anymore — it's between you and the bank.
Call the bank's customer service line and explain that a refund was deposited into your account by mistake. You'll need to provide the deposit date, the amount, and the routing number of the account it should have gone to. The bank will file a reversal request, which typically takes five to ten business days. During that time, the money will be held in the account it landed in, then sent to the correct account once the reversal is complete.
If the account belongs to someone else entirely, the situation is more complicated. That person's bank may refuse to reverse a deposit without the account holder's permission. In that case, contact the IRS directly and explain what happened — they can sometimes intercept the refund or work with the other bank to recover it, though this process is slow.
Checking whether your refund has been issued
Before you attempt any changes, always check the status of your refund. The IRS tool "Where's My Refund?" is the official source and updates every 24 hours.
Go to IRS.gov, find "Where's My Refund?," and enter your Social Security number, filing status, and the refund amount. The tool will show you one of several statuses: "Return Received," "Approved," "Issued," or "Delivered." If it says "Issued" or "Delivered," your refund has already been sent to the account on your return and cannot be changed by the IRS.
If the status is still "Return Received" or "Approved," you're still within the window to make changes. The time between "Approved" and "Issued" is usually a few days, so act quickly if you need to change your account.
Common reasons refunds go to the wrong account
Transposed digits in your routing or account number are the most common cause. A single number wrong sends the refund to a different account, sometimes at a different bank entirely. Always verify both numbers before filing.
Another frequent mistake is using an old account number after closing a bank account or switching banks. If you closed the account, the bank may reject the deposit and send it back to the IRS, which then reissues it — a process that can add weeks to your wait.
Some people file with a temporary account number from a tax preparation service or a refund advance loan, intending to change it later. If you do this, change it as soon as possible — don't wait until you see the refund is on the way.
What happens if the bank rejects the deposit
If you've given the IRS an account number that doesn't exist or belongs to a closed account, the bank will reject the deposit. The IRS will then hold the refund and try to contact you. This can add 30 to 60 days to your wait.
If this happens, the IRS will send you a notice by mail explaining the problem and asking you to provide correct banking information or request a check instead. You can also call the IRS proactively to provide the correct account number without waiting for the notice — this is faster.
If you don't respond to the IRS notice within a certain timeframe, they'll issue your refund as a paper check instead, which takes another week or two to arrive by mail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my account number the day before my refund is supposed to arrive?
Probably not. The IRS issues refunds in batches and updates "Where's My Refund?" every 24 hours, so by the time you see a refund is coming, it's usually already been issued. Check your refund status first — if it says "Issued," it's too late to change through the IRS.
What if I gave the IRS the wrong routing number but the right account number?
The bank will reject the deposit because the routing number doesn't match. The IRS will hold the refund and contact you. Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to provide the correct routing number and avoid the delay.
Can I change my account number if I filed through a tax preparation service?
Yes, but contact the tax service first — they may have their own system for updating account information. If they can't help, you can still change it through IRS.gov or by calling the IRS directly using the same process as anyone else.
How long does it take for a reversed refund to reach the correct account?
Once the bank processes the reversal, the money typically reaches the correct account within five to ten business days. Some banks are faster; others take longer. Ask your bank for an estimated timeline when you request the reversal.
What if I'm changing accounts because I'm worried about identity theft?
Contact the IRS immediately at 1-800-829-1040 and explain the situation. They can flag your account and may issue your refund as a check to a secure address instead of depositing it electronically. Also file a report with the Federal Trade Commission at IdentityTheft.gov.