You can change your bank information before the IRS deposits your refund, but the window is narrow and the method depends on whether you've already filed
If you filed your tax return and provided the wrong bank account number, routing number, or account type, you have options — but speed matters. The IRS can redirect a refund to a different account if you catch the mistake before the money leaves their system, which typically happens within 21 days of when the IRS accepts your return. After that, the refund goes to the account you listed, and you'll need to contact your bank or the original account holder to recover it.
The method you use depends on your situation: whether you filed electronically or by mail, whether you've already received a refund status update, and how much time has passed since filing.
Key Takeaways
- You can change your bank information through the IRS website using Get My Payment or by calling the IRS directly, but only before the refund is deposited.
- If you filed electronically, contact the IRS within 21 days of acceptance to request a redirect; after that, the money goes to the account you listed.
- If you filed by mail, call the IRS at 800-829-1040 to report the error and request a new check or corrected direct deposit.
- Once a refund lands in the wrong account, you'll need to contact that bank or the account holder to retrieve it — the IRS cannot pull money back out.
- If you're unsure whether your refund has been sent, check your status on IRS.gov using your Social Security number, filing status, and refund amount.
Changing bank details before the refund is sent
The fastest way to change your bank information is through the IRS website. Go to IRS.gov and use the "Get My Payment" tool (also called the refund status tracker). Enter your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount shown on your return. The tool will show you the current status: whether the IRS has accepted your return, whether the refund has been approved, and the expected deposit date.
If the status shows "Refund approved" or "Refund sent," you still have a window to act. Some taxpayers report success calling the IRS directly at 800-829-1040 and requesting a refund redirect before the deposit clears. Have your Social Security number, filing status, the incorrect account number, and the correct account number ready. The IRS representative can attempt to stop the deposit and reroute it, but this only works if the refund hasn't already been processed by your bank.
If you filed by mail and haven't received an acceptance notice yet, call 800-829-1040 and report the error. The IRS can issue a new check or correct the direct deposit information before processing your return. This takes longer than electronic filing — typically 4 to 6 weeks for the IRS to process a paper return — but gives you more time to catch mistakes.
What happens if the refund already went to the wrong account
Once the IRS deposits your refund into the account you listed on your return, they cannot retrieve it. The money belongs to that account holder. Your next step depends on whose account it is.
If the account is yours but at a different bank or under a different account number than you intended, contact that bank immediately. Explain that you received a tax refund deposit in error and ask them to return it. Most banks can reverse the deposit within a few days if you request it quickly. Have your tax return and the deposit confirmation ready.
If the account belongs to someone else — a former spouse, a tax preparer, or another person — contact them directly and ask them to return the funds. If they refuse, you have limited recourse through the IRS. You can file a complaint with the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) if you believe a tax preparer misused your refund, but recovering the money itself usually requires small claims court or civil action.
Preventing bank information errors on your return
Double-check your bank details before submitting your return. Verify the routing number (the nine-digit code for your bank) and account number separately — do not rely on memory. Most banks print both on the bottom left of a check. Confirm the account type: checking or savings. A single digit wrong in either number can send your refund to the wrong place.
If you use tax software or a tax preparer, review the bank information on the return before signing and submitting. Many errors happen because the preparer entered the wrong account or the software auto-filled an old account from a previous year. Print or save a copy of your filed return so you can reference it later if questions arise.
Using a refund advance or third-party service
Some tax preparers and financial services offer refund advances or refund loans — they give you money upfront and collect it when your refund arrives. If you use this service, the refund goes to the third party's account, not yours. Read the agreement carefully to understand when you'll receive your money and what fees apply. These services typically charge $100 to $300 and take several business days to transfer funds to you after the refund lands.
If you've already agreed to a refund advance and want to change your bank information, contact the service provider, not the IRS. They control the account where the refund will be deposited. Ask them whether they can redirect the refund or whether you need to wait for them to process and transfer it to your new account.
State tax refunds and bank information changes
State tax refunds follow similar rules to federal refunds, but each state runs its own system. If you made a mistake on your state return, contact your state tax agency directly. Most states have a refund status tool on their tax department website. Some states allow you to change bank information online; others require a phone call or a written request.
State refunds typically take 2 to 8 weeks to process, depending on the state and whether you filed electronically or by mail. The longer processing time gives you more opportunity to catch and correct bank information errors before the refund is sent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my bank information after the IRS says my refund was sent?
Once the IRS marks your refund as "sent," it has likely already been transmitted to your bank and cannot be redirected. Call 800-829-1040 immediately to confirm the deposit date and account. If the money has not yet cleared your bank, you may still be able to stop it, but this is rare and depends on your bank's processing speed.
What if I gave the IRS the wrong routing number?
A wrong routing number usually means the refund goes to a different bank entirely. Contact that bank and explain the error. If the account number doesn't exist at that bank, the refund may be returned to the IRS as undeliverable, and you'll receive a check by mail instead — a process that adds 4 to 6 weeks. Call 800-829-1040 to report the error and ask whether the refund has been returned.
Do I need to file an amended return if I gave the wrong bank account?
No. An amended return (Form 1040-X) is for correcting income, deductions, or credits — not for bank information. Simply report the error to the IRS by phone or through Get My Payment. If the refund was sent to the wrong account and you cannot recover it, you can file an amended return to claim the refund as a loss, but consult a tax professional first.
How long does it take to redirect a refund to a new bank account?
If the IRS successfully redirects your refund before it's sent, the new deposit typically arrives within 3 to 5 business days. If the refund was already sent to the wrong account and your bank reverses it, the reversal takes 1 to 3 business days, and the corrected deposit takes another 3 to 5 days.
Can a tax preparer change my bank information without my permission?
A tax preparer should never change your bank information without your written consent. If you discover this happened, contact the preparer immediately and ask them to file an amended return with the correct account. If they refuse or are unresponsive, file a complaint with your state's tax preparer licensing board or the IRS at IRS.gov/uac/report-tax-fraud-and-financial-crimes.