You can change your refund account before the IRS deposits it, but timing matters
If you filed your tax return with the wrong bank account number, you have a window to fix it — but only before the IRS processes your refund. Once the money lands in that account, you cannot ask the IRS to redirect it. The steps depend on whether you filed electronically or on paper, and how far along your refund is in processing.
The IRS does not have a form to change your account after filing. Instead, you contact your bank to report the error, or you file an amended return if the mistake was caught too late. Speed matters here: the sooner you act, the more likely you can stop the deposit before it happens.
Key Takeaways
- If you filed electronically and have not yet received your refund, call your bank immediately to report the wrong account number and ask if they can intercept the deposit.
- The IRS processes refunds in batches and deposits them on specific dates; you can check your refund status and expected deposit date on IRS.gov using the Where's My Refund tool.
- If your refund already landed in the wrong account, contact that bank to request a reversal or transfer, then file an amended return (Form 1040-X) if the bank cannot help.
- Paper filers should call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 as soon as they realize the error, because the IRS may be able to stop a check before it is mailed.
- Changing your account for future refunds requires filing a new return with the correct information or updating your account details with your tax software before filing next year.
Check your refund status and deposit date first
Before you take any action, find out whether your refund has already been processed or is still pending. The IRS publishes a specific deposit date for each refund, and once that date passes, the money is already in the account you listed on your return.
Go to IRS.gov and use the Where's My Refund tool. You will need your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your return. The tool tells you the current status (received, approved, sent to your bank) and the date the IRS will deposit the money. If the status says "sent to your bank" or shows a date that has already passed, the refund is likely already in the wrong account.
If the status shows "approved" or "processing" and the deposit date has not arrived, you still have time to act. Write down the exact deposit date — this is your deadline to contact your bank or the IRS.
If the refund has not been deposited yet: contact your bank immediately
Call the customer service number on the back of your debit card or bank statement for the account where the refund is headed. Tell them you filed a tax return with an incorrect account number and ask whether they can intercept the incoming IRS deposit before it posts.
Banks can sometimes stop a deposit if they catch it before it clears, but this depends on the bank's systems and how close you are to the deposit date. The sooner you call, the better your chances. Have ready the correct account number you want the refund to go to, the wrong account number on your return, and the exact refund amount.
If your bank says they cannot stop the deposit, ask what happens if the money arrives anyway — some banks will automatically reject it and return it to the IRS, while others will hold it pending your instructions. Get the name of the person you spoke to and the date and time of the call, in case you need to follow up.
After you call your bank, also contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to report the error. The IRS cannot redirect a deposit once it is in the system, but they can note your account in case the bank rejects the deposit and it comes back to them. This creates a record of your good-faith attempt to correct the error.
If the refund already landed in the wrong account
Contact the bank that received the deposit immediately. Explain that the IRS deposited a tax refund into your account by mistake — the account number on the return was incorrect. Ask the bank to reverse the deposit or transfer the money to your correct account.
Most banks will not reverse a federal deposit without documentation. They may ask you to file a dispute or provide a letter from the IRS confirming the error. Some banks will transfer the money to your correct account if you provide written authorization, but this varies by institution.
If the bank refuses to help or cannot reverse the deposit, you will need to file an amended return using Form 1040-X (Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return). On this form, you correct the account number to the one you actually want to use. Mail the amended return to the IRS address for your state (listed in the Form 1040-X instructions). The IRS will then issue a new refund to the correct account, though this process takes several weeks.
What to do if you filed on paper
If you mailed a paper return with the wrong account number, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 as soon as you realize the error. The IRS processes paper returns more slowly than electronic ones, so there is a longer window to catch the mistake before a check is printed and mailed.
Tell the IRS representative the wrong account number on your return and ask if they can flag it before processing. The IRS cannot change the account number directly, but they can note your file and may be able to hold the refund pending correction. Ask what documentation they need from you and whether you should file an amended return or wait for their guidance.
If a check has already been mailed to you, you can deposit it into your correct account once it arrives. There is no need to return it or file an amended return in this case — the check is issued to you, not to a specific account.
Changing your account for next year's refund
Once you have resolved this year's refund, update your banking information for next year. If you use tax software to file, the software will ask for your account number and routing number during the filing process. Double-check both numbers against your bank statement or your bank's website before you submit your return.
The routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies your bank; the account number is unique to your account. Swapping these or transposing a digit is the most common cause of refund routing errors. Many banks display both numbers on the bottom left of a check, or you can find them in your online banking portal under account details.
If you do not file electronically, you can still request direct deposit by filling in the routing and account numbers on your paper return in the spaces provided. The same verification rules apply: check the numbers twice before mailing.
What happens if the IRS cannot reach the account
If the account number on your return is invalid or the bank rejects the deposit for any reason, the IRS will issue a paper check instead. This check is mailed to the address on your return and takes an additional one to two weeks to arrive after the original deposit date.
You can track this check using the Where's My Refund tool — it will update to show "check issued" and provide a mailing date. If you do not receive the check within 21 days of the mailing date, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to request a trace.
A paper check is not ideal because it delays your refund, but it does solve the problem of money going to the wrong account. Once the check arrives, you can deposit it into your correct account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the IRS send my refund to a different account than the one I listed on my return?
No. The IRS deposits refunds only to the account number you provided on your return. If that account is wrong, the money either goes to the wrong account, gets rejected by the bank, or is reissued as a check. You cannot ask the IRS to redirect it to a different account after filing.
How long do I have to fix the account number before the refund is deposited?
It depends on when you catch the error. The Where's My Refund tool shows your deposit date. If that date has not arrived, you have until that date to contact your bank and the IRS. Once the deposit date passes, the money is likely already in the account you listed.
What if my bank says the account number is invalid?
The IRS will reject the deposit and issue a paper check instead, which takes an additional one to two weeks. You can track the check status on Where's My Refund. Once it arrives, deposit it into your correct account.
Do I need to file an amended return if the refund went to the wrong account?
Only if the bank cannot reverse the deposit and you need the IRS to issue a new refund to the correct account. File Form 1040-X with the corrected account number. If the bank can transfer the money or if you received a check instead, an amended return is not necessary.
Can I change my account number after I have already filed?
You cannot change it with the IRS once you have filed. Your only option is to correct it on an amended return (Form 1040-X) if the original refund went to the wrong place. For future years, provide the correct account number when you file your next return.