Change your direct deposit information before the IRS processes your return
You can change the bank account where your tax refund lands, but timing matters. If you change your direct deposit information before you file, the IRS will send your refund to the new account. If you file first and then change it, the refund goes to the account listed on your return — changing it afterward does not redirect money already in process.
The method depends on how you file. If you use tax software or a tax professional, you enter your banking details during the filing process itself. If you have already filed and need to change the account, you cannot do it through the IRS website — you have to contact the IRS directly or wait for the refund to arrive and then transfer it yourself.
Key Takeaways
- Change your direct deposit details in your tax software before you submit your return, not after.
- If you file with a tax professional, give them the correct account number and routing number before they file on your behalf.
- The IRS cannot redirect a refund to a different account after your return is filed — you must contact them before filing or wait for the money to arrive.
- Have your bank account number and routing number ready; you can find both on a check or by calling your bank.
- If your refund was sent to a closed account, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to request a trace and reissue.
What information you need to provide
Before you file, gather your banking details. You need your routing number (a nine-digit code that identifies your bank) and your account number (the unique number for your specific account). Both appear on the bottom left of a check. If you do not have a check, call your bank and ask for both numbers, or log into your online banking portal — most banks display them in the account settings or summary page.
Make sure the account is in your name or a joint name that includes you. The IRS will not deposit into an account belonging to someone else, even a spouse or family member, unless both names are on the account. If you are filing jointly with a spouse, the account can be in either name or both names, but not in a third person's name alone.
Double-check the routing and account numbers before you submit. A single digit wrong sends your refund to the wrong bank or account, and recovering it takes weeks of back-and-forth with the IRS and your bank.
Changing direct deposit in tax software
If you use software like TurboTax, H&R Block, TaxAct, or FreeTaxUSA, the direct deposit section appears during the filing process, usually near the end. You enter your routing number and account number in the fields provided. The software typically asks whether the account is checking or savings and may ask for the account holder's name.
Review this information carefully before you click submit or file. Once your return is transmitted to the IRS, you cannot change the direct deposit account through the software. If you spot an error after filing, you must contact the IRS directly.
If you are using free software through the IRS Free File program, the process is the same — the direct deposit fields are part of the standard return form, and you fill them in before submission.
Changing direct deposit when filing with a tax professional
If a CPA, tax preparer, or tax attorney is filing your return, provide them with your correct routing and account numbers before they submit. Tell them in writing or email so there is a record. Ask them to confirm the numbers back to you before they file.
Some preparers ask you to sign a form that lists your direct deposit details as part of the return package. Check this form carefully — it is your last chance to catch an error before the return goes to the IRS.
If the preparer files and you realize the account information is wrong, contact them immediately and ask them to file an amended return (Form 1040-X) with the correct details. This delays your refund but ensures it goes to the right place.
What to do if you filed with the wrong account information
If your return is already filed and you used the wrong account number, you cannot change it through the IRS website. You have two options: wait for the refund to arrive in the wrong account and transfer it yourself, or contact the IRS to request a trace and reissue.
To request a trace, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the refund amount ready. The IRS will investigate where the refund went. If it landed in a closed account or an account that is not yours, the IRS can issue a new check or arrange a new direct deposit to the correct account. This process typically takes four to six weeks.
If the refund went to an account that is still open but belongs to the wrong person, that person's bank may return it to the IRS automatically, or you may need to contact the bank and explain the error. Do not ask the account holder to transfer the money — the IRS needs to handle the correction officially.
Changing direct deposit for a refund you have not filed yet
If you have not filed your return yet, the simplest fix is to correct the information before you file. Log back into your tax software, navigate to the direct deposit section, update the routing and account numbers, and re-submit. The IRS will process the corrected return.
If you filed through a tax professional and have not yet received your refund, contact them immediately and ask them to file an amended return with the correct account information. The amended return (Form 1040-X) takes longer to process than an original return, but it ensures your refund goes to the right place.
If you filed electronically and your refund status shows "accepted" or "processing" on the IRS website, it is too late to change the direct deposit account — the return is already in the system. At that point, your only option is to wait for the refund or contact the IRS to request a trace.
How to track your refund after changing direct deposit
Once you have filed with the correct direct deposit information, use the IRS Where's My Refund tool at irs.gov to track your refund status. Enter your Social Security number, filing status, and the refund amount. The tool updates once per day and shows whether your return has been received, is being processed, or has been approved for direct deposit.
The tool does not show the specific account number where your refund will land, only that direct deposit has been selected. If you want to confirm the account details the IRS has on file, you can call 1-800-829-1040 and provide your information to an agent.
Most refunds are deposited within 21 days of the IRS accepting your return, though some take longer if the return requires review. If your refund does not arrive within the expected timeframe, use the Where's My Refund tool again or call the IRS.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my direct deposit account after I file but before my refund is deposited?
No. Once your return is filed, the IRS will deposit your refund into the account listed on that return. Changing your banking information afterward does not redirect the refund. You must either wait for it to arrive and transfer it yourself, or contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to request a trace and reissue to a different account, which takes several weeks.
What happens if I give the IRS the wrong account number?
If the account number belongs to a closed account or does not exist, the bank will reject the deposit and return it to the IRS. The IRS will then issue a check to your mailing address, which takes an additional two to three weeks. If the account number belongs to someone else's open account, contact the IRS immediately to request a trace and reissue.
Do I need to use the same bank account every year?
No. You can change your direct deposit account each year when you file. Just enter the new routing and account numbers in your tax software or provide them to your tax preparer before they file your return.
Can I split my refund between two bank accounts?
Yes. When you file, you can direct a portion of your refund to one account and the remainder to another. Your tax software will have fields for this option, usually labeled "split refund" or "multiple direct deposits." You need the routing and account number for each account.
What if my spouse and I file jointly but have separate bank accounts?
You can split the refund between both accounts. Enter your spouse's routing and account number in one direct deposit field and yours in another, along with the dollar amount or percentage each should receive. Both accounts must be in names that match the tax return.