Change your bank information before the IRS processes your return
If you need to change the bank account where your tax refund will land, the timing matters. The IRS can only redirect a refund to a different account before they deposit it—once the money hits your original account, you cannot reverse it through the tax system. If you have not yet filed, you can put the correct account number on your return. If you have already filed, your options depend on whether the IRS has processed your return yet.
The IRS does not have a form to change bank details after filing. Instead, you contact the IRS directly, wait for them to confirm the change, and hope the update reaches their system before they process your refund. This is why speed matters: the sooner you call, the better your chances.
Key Takeaways
- Call the IRS at 800-829-1040 as soon as you realize the bank information on your return is wrong—the earlier you call, the more likely they can update it before processing.
- Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the correct bank routing and account numbers ready when you call.
- The IRS cannot may provide they will catch the change in time, especially if your return is already in the queue for processing.
- If your refund deposits to the wrong account, contact that bank immediately to request a reversal, then contact the IRS to confirm where the money went.
- For future returns, double-check your bank details before you file and use the IRS Free File tool or tax software that verifies routing numbers.
Call the IRS immediately if you filed with the wrong account
The IRS phone line is 800-829-1040. Have ready: your Social Security number, filing status (single, married filing jointly, etc.), the tax year, and the correct routing number and account number for the bank where you want the refund sent. The IRS representative will look up your return and attempt to update the banking information in their system.
Do not assume the change will go through. The IRS processes millions of returns, and once your return enters the deposit queue, a phone update may not catch it in time. The representative should tell you whether your return has already been sent to the bank or is still pending. If it is still pending, your chances of a successful change are much higher.
Ask the IRS representative for a confirmation number or reference for the change you requested. Write it down. This gives you something to reference if the refund still goes to the wrong account.
What to do if the refund deposits to the wrong bank account
If your refund lands in the original account despite your call to the IRS, contact that bank immediately. Explain that the deposit was sent in error and request a reversal or return of the funds. Banks can sometimes reverse deposits within a few days, but the process varies by institution and the speed depends on whether the receiving account holder cooperates.
After you contact the bank, call the IRS again at 800-829-1040 and report that the refund went to the wrong account. Provide the confirmation number from your first call if you have it. The IRS can see where the money was deposited and may be able to help trace it or reissue the refund to the correct account, though this process is slower than preventing the error in the first place.
Keep records of every call you make—dates, times, names of representatives, and confirmation numbers. If the money disappears or the banks blame each other, these records are your proof of what you did.
How to check the status of your refund after a bank change request
Use the IRS "Where's My Refund?" tool at irs.gov. Enter your Social Security number, filing status, and the refund amount shown on your return. The tool updates once per day and will show you whether your return is still being processed, approved, or sent to the bank.
If the status says "Refund sent" and you have not received it, check your bank account first—sometimes deposits take one to two business days to appear. If it does not show up within two business days of the "sent" date, call your bank to confirm they received the deposit and to which account it went.
Prevent this problem on your next return
Before you file any return, verify your bank routing number and account number. Do not rely on memory. Log into your bank's website or app, find the account details section, and copy the routing number and account number exactly as they appear. Routing numbers are nine digits; account numbers vary but are usually 10 to 12 digits.
Many tax software programs and the IRS Free File tools include a routing number lookup feature. Enter your bank name and the software will show you the correct routing number. This catches typos before you file. If you use a tax professional, ask them to read back the account details to you before they submit the return.
If you use a prepaid debit card or a temporary account number for security, make sure that account will still be active when your refund arrives. Some prepaid cards close accounts after a period of inactivity, and temporary account numbers expire. If there is any doubt, use your primary checking account instead.
Special situations: refunds sent to a closed account or wrong person
If you filed with a bank account that has since closed, the bank will reject the deposit and the IRS will hold the refund. Call the IRS at 800-829-1040 and explain that the account is closed. They can reissue the refund as a check, which takes about four weeks from the time you request it.
If your refund was sent to someone else's account—a spouse's account you no longer have access to, a tax preparer's account, or a mistake in the account number—contact the IRS and that bank immediately. The IRS can attempt to recover the funds, but this is a longer process. The bank holding the money may require a written request from you and possibly a police report if you believe fraud occurred.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take the IRS to update my bank information after I call?
The IRS does not publish a timeline. Updates can happen within hours or may not happen at all if your return is already in the processing queue. This is why calling as soon as you notice the error is critical. The representative should tell you whether your return has been sent to the bank yet.
Can I change my bank information online through my IRS account?
No. The IRS does not offer an online form to change bank details after filing. Phone is your only option: 800-829-1040. Some tax software allows you to amend your return, but amending takes longer than calling and is usually not worth it unless you have other changes to make.
What if I do not know my routing number?
Log into your bank's website or app and look for "account details" or "routing number." You can also call your bank's customer service line. Do not guess or use a number you think you remember—a wrong routing number will send your refund to a different bank entirely.
Will the IRS charge me to change my bank information?
No. The IRS does not charge for phone support or to update your banking details. Be cautious of third-party websites or services that claim to charge a fee to change your refund information—those are not official IRS services.
Can I split my refund between two bank accounts if I change my mind?
Not after you file. You can only split a refund between accounts on your original return before you file. If you want to change where the entire refund goes, call the IRS. If you want to split it after filing, you would need to amend your return, which is slower and usually not worth it.