Your refund goes to whichever bank account you told the IRS about on your tax return
The bank account that receives your federal tax refund is the one you specified in the direct deposit section of your tax return. If you filed Form 1040 and chose direct deposit, you listed your routing number and account number on that form. The IRS sends the money to that exact account—not to a different bank, not to a savings account if you listed checking, and not to an account you opened after you filed.
If you filed through a tax software company or a tax preparer, they filled in those numbers based on what you told them. If you made a mistake when entering the account information, or if the account no longer exists, your refund will be rejected by the bank and sent back to the IRS. That delay can add weeks or months to when you actually receive the money.
Key Takeaways
- The account that receives your refund is the one you listed on your tax return in the direct deposit section, identified by routing number and account number.
- If you changed banks or closed the account after filing, the IRS will send the refund back and you will have to claim it by mail or wait for a check.
- You can see which account the IRS has on file by checking your return transcript or by calling the IRS at 800-829-1040.
- If your refund was rejected by your bank, the IRS will mail you a check to the address on your return, which typically takes two to three weeks after the rejection.
- State tax refunds go to the account you listed on your state return, which may be different from your federal account.
How to verify the account information the IRS has
The fastest way to confirm which account the IRS is sending your refund to is to pull your tax return transcript. You can order this free from the IRS website at irs.gov/transcripts, by phone at 800-829-1040, or by mail using Form 4506-C. The transcript shows the routing number and last four digits of the account number you listed. If those numbers are wrong, you know the refund will bounce.
You can also check your refund status using the IRS Where's My Refund tool at irs.gov/refunds. This tool does not show the account number itself, but it will tell you if the refund has been sent and whether it was accepted or rejected by your bank. If the status changes to "refund sent" and then later shows a rejection, that means the account information was incorrect or the account was closed.
What happens if the account no longer exists
If you closed the account after filing your return, or if you entered the wrong account number, your bank will reject the deposit. The IRS receives the rejection notice and stops the direct deposit. The refund is then reissued as a paper check and mailed to the address on your tax return. This process takes roughly two to three weeks from the date of rejection.
You will not receive a separate notification that the direct deposit failed. The first sign is usually when the money does not appear on the expected date and the Where's My Refund tool shows no recent activity. At that point, check your mail for the check. If more than three weeks have passed since the rejection and you have not received it, contact the IRS at 800-829-1040 with your Social Security number and the amount of the refund.
Changing your bank account after you file
Once you file your return, you cannot change the account the refund will go to through the IRS website or by phone. The account information is locked in on your return. If you need the refund to go to a different account, your only option is to wait for the refund to arrive in the original account and then transfer it yourself, or to wait for the check if the original account no longer exists.
Some tax software companies allow you to change your direct deposit information before you officially submit your return to the IRS. If you have not yet filed, log back into your tax software and check whether you can edit the direct deposit section. Once the return has been transmitted to the IRS, it is too late.
Joint returns and whose account receives the money
On a joint return, only one account can be listed for direct deposit. The IRS sends the entire refund to that single account, regardless of whose name is on it. If you and your spouse file jointly and the refund goes to your spouse's account, you will need to work out how to split the money between you—the IRS does not split it automatically.
If you are concerned about access to the refund, make sure you have discussed which account to use before filing. If the return has already been filed and you are worried about access, contact your spouse or the account holder immediately. Once the refund is deposited, it belongs to whoever owns the account, and you may need to pursue a separate legal remedy if there is a dispute.
State tax refunds and separate accounts
Your state tax refund may go to a completely different account than your federal refund. When you file your state return, you list a separate direct deposit account in that form. Some people use the same account for both; others use different accounts. Check your state return to see which account you listed for state direct deposit.
State refunds typically arrive on a different timeline than federal refunds. Federal refunds are usually sent within 21 days of acceptance; state refunds vary by state but often take four to six weeks. If you are waiting for both refunds, monitor the Where's My Refund tool for federal status and your state tax agency's website for state status, since they track separately.
What to do if you entered the wrong account number
If you realize before the refund is sent that you entered the wrong account number, contact the IRS immediately at 800-829-1040. Provide your Social Security number, filing status, and the correct account information. The IRS can sometimes update the account before the refund is processed, but this only works if you call before the refund has been sent. Once it has been sent, the bank will reject it and you will receive a check instead.
If the refund has already been rejected and you received a check in the mail, you can deposit that check into the correct account yourself. There is no need to contact the IRS again unless the check is lost or damaged.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have my refund split between two accounts?
No. The IRS only allows one account per return. If you want to split the refund between accounts, you will need to deposit it into one account first and then transfer part of it to the other account yourself.
How long does it take for a rejected refund to be reissued as a check?
Once your bank rejects the direct deposit, the IRS typically reissues the refund as a check within two to three weeks. The check is mailed to the address on your return. If you do not receive it within that timeframe, contact the IRS at 800-829-1040.
What if I filed with a tax preparer and I do not know what account I listed?
Contact your tax preparer and ask them to provide a copy of your filed return. The direct deposit information is shown in the return itself. Alternatively, order your return transcript from the IRS at irs.gov/transcripts to see the account number on file.
Can the IRS send my refund to a savings account instead of checking?
Yes. The IRS sends to whatever account you listed, whether it is checking or savings. Make sure the routing number and account number you entered match the savings account, not a checking account at the same bank.
Will I be notified if my refund is rejected by the bank?
No. The IRS does not send a separate notification. You will only know if you check the Where's My Refund tool or if you notice the money did not arrive on the expected date. Check your mail for a paper check two to three weeks after the expected deposit date.