You need your bank's routing number, not your account number, to receive a tax refund by direct deposit
The routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies your specific bank or credit union. The IRS uses it to send your refund directly to your account instead of mailing a check. You will find it on the bottom left of your checks, or you can call your bank and ask — they will give it to you in seconds.
The routing number is different from your account number. Your account number identifies which account at that bank receives the money. Both go on your tax return if you choose direct deposit, but the routing number is what tells the IRS which bank to contact.
If you are filing electronically through tax software or a tax preparer, the software usually asks for both numbers and validates them before you submit. If you are mailing a paper return, you write both on the form itself. Either way, getting the routing number wrong means your refund goes nowhere — it bounces back to the IRS, and you have to wait for a check instead.
Key Takeaways
- Your routing number is the nine-digit code on the bottom left of your checks, specific to your bank or credit union branch.
- You need both your routing number and your account number for direct deposit, but the routing number is what identifies your bank.
- Call your bank's customer service line if you cannot find your routing number on a check — they will confirm it in one call.
- If you enter the wrong routing number, your refund will be rejected and the IRS will mail you a check instead, adding weeks to the wait.
- Online banking portals and mobile apps often display your routing number in the account details or transfer settings section.
Where to find your routing number
The easiest place is the bottom left corner of any check from your account. The routing number is the first set of nine digits, followed by your account number, then the check number on the right. If you do not have checks, log into your bank's website or mobile app and look for account details, transfer settings, or wire information — most banks display the routing number there.
If you cannot find it online, call your bank's customer service number on the back of your debit card or on your bank statement. Have your account number ready, and they will confirm your routing number over the phone. This takes less than a minute.
Credit unions work the same way. Your routing number is printed on your checks or available through your credit union's online portal. Some credit unions call it a "transit number" instead, but it serves the same purpose.
The difference between routing number and account number
Your routing number identifies the bank or credit union itself — it tells the IRS which financial institution to contact. Your account number identifies your specific account within that bank. Think of the routing number as the bank's address and the account number as your mailbox inside that building.
On a check, the routing number comes first (nine digits), then your account number (usually ten to twelve digits). When you set up direct deposit for your tax refund, you enter both. The IRS uses the routing number to find your bank, then uses the account number to deposit the money into the right account.
If you enter the wrong routing number but the correct account number, the refund will not go through — the IRS cannot find a bank that matches that routing number. If you enter the wrong account number but the correct routing number, the money may go to someone else's account at your bank, or it may bounce back.
How to enter your routing number on your tax return
If you file electronically through tax software, the software will ask for your routing number and account number in the direct deposit section. Enter the nine-digit routing number exactly as it appears on your check or in your bank's records. The software usually validates the numbers before you submit, so you will know right away if something is wrong.
If you file through a tax preparer or CPA, they will ask you for both numbers and enter them into the return themselves. Make sure you give them the correct numbers — double-check against your check or your bank's website before you hand them over.
If you mail a paper return, you write your routing number and account number in the direct deposit section of the form. Use the exact numbers with no dashes or spaces. The IRS processes these by machine, so any error will cause the deposit to fail.
What happens if you enter the wrong routing number
If the routing number does not match any bank in the Federal Reserve's system, the IRS will reject the direct deposit and mail you a check instead. This adds two to three weeks to your wait time. You will not know there was an error until the check arrives in the mail.
If you enter a routing number that belongs to a real bank but not your bank, the refund may go to that bank. The bank will eventually reject it because the account number does not match any account in their system, and it will bounce back to the IRS. Again, you end up waiting for a paper check.
If you realize you made a mistake after you file, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. They cannot change a return that has already been processed, but they can note your file so that when the check arrives, you know why it came by mail instead of direct deposit. For future years, use the correct routing number.
Routing numbers for common banks and credit unions
Every bank and credit union has its own routing number, and many large banks have different routing numbers for different regions or branches. Do not assume your routing number based on your bank's name — always verify it yourself.
The Federal Reserve maintains a complete database of routing numbers at frbservices.org. You can search by bank name and state to find the correct routing number for your specific branch. This is the authoritative source and is free to use.
Some banks print multiple routing numbers on their checks depending on which service you are using (checking, savings, wire transfer). For tax refunds, use the routing number printed on the bottom left of your check, which is the standard routing number for direct deposits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different routing number if I have multiple accounts at the same bank?
No. Each bank has one routing number, regardless of how many accounts you have there. Use the same routing number for all your accounts at that bank. The account number is what tells the IRS which specific account to deposit into.
What if my bank merged with another bank after I got my checks printed?
Call your bank and ask for your current routing number. Bank mergers sometimes change routing numbers, and your old checks may have an outdated number. Your bank will confirm which routing number is active for your account now.
Do I need a routing number if I want the IRS to mail me a check instead?
No. If you choose to receive your refund by check, you do not enter a routing number on your return at all. You only need a routing number if you select direct deposit as your refund method.
Is my routing number the same as my bank's SWIFT code?
No. Your routing number is used for domestic transfers within the United States. A SWIFT code is used for international wire transfers. For a U.S. tax refund, use your routing number, not your SWIFT code.
What if I do not have a bank account yet but want to receive my refund by direct deposit?
You will need to open a bank or credit union account first. Once you have an account, you can get the routing number and use it on your tax return. Some banks and credit unions let you open an account online in minutes.