You can change your direct deposit bank account after filing, but the window is narrow and the method depends on whether the IRS has already processed your return
If you filed your tax return and then realized you gave the wrong bank account number, or you want the refund to go to a different account, you have options — but speed matters. The IRS processes returns in the order they arrive, and once a refund enters the payment system, you cannot change the destination through the normal channels. Your best move depends on whether your return is still sitting in the queue or has already moved to payment processing.
The fastest way to know where your return stands is to check the IRS Where's My Refund tool on IRS.gov using your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount. That tool tells you whether the return is still being processed, approved, or already sent to the bank. The stage your return is in determines what you can actually do.
Key Takeaways
- If your return has not yet been approved by the IRS, you can file an amended return (Form 1040-X) with the correct bank account information, but this delays your refund by several weeks.
- Once the IRS approves your return and begins payment processing, you cannot change the bank account through any IRS system — the refund will go to the account you originally listed.
- If a refund lands in the wrong account, contact that bank immediately to report it as a misdirected deposit; most banks can reverse it within one to three business days.
- The Where's My Refund tool on IRS.gov shows you exactly what stage your return is in and whether you still have time to make changes.
- State tax refunds often have separate processing timelines, so check your state's tax authority website separately if you filed state taxes with the wrong account.
Changing your account before the IRS approves your return
If you check Where's My Refund and it says your return is still being processed — meaning the IRS has not yet approved it — you can file an amended return using Form 1040-X (Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return). This form lets you correct information on your original return, including your direct deposit bank account.
To file Form 1040-X, you need your original return information and the correct bank account details. You can file it online through tax software that supports amendments, by mail to the IRS address for your state, or through a tax professional. The catch is that amending adds time: the IRS typically takes four to six weeks to process an amended return, so your refund will arrive later than if you had filed correctly the first time.
Do not file Form 1040-X if your original return has already been approved. The IRS will reject it or process it as a separate claim, which creates confusion and delays. Always check Where's My Refund first to confirm your return is still in processing status.
What to do if the IRS has already approved your return
Once the IRS approves your return and begins payment processing, the refund is locked into the bank account you originally listed. There is no IRS form, phone number, or online tool that will change the destination at that point. The refund will be sent to that account whether it is correct or not.
If you realize the account is wrong after approval, your only option is to wait for the refund to arrive in the wrong account, then contact that bank to report it as a misdirected deposit. Most banks can reverse the deposit and return the funds to the IRS within one to three business days. Once the bank returns it, the IRS typically re-sends the refund to a corrected account — but this process can take an additional two to four weeks.
This is why checking Where's My Refund frequently in the first few days after filing matters. If you catch the error while your return is still in processing, amending is faster than waiting for a reversal.
Contacting the bank that received the wrong refund
If your refund lands in an account you no longer use, or an account that belongs to someone else, call the bank that holds that account as soon as you see the deposit. Tell them the deposit was sent to the wrong account and ask them to reverse it. Have your name, the account number, the deposit date, and the refund amount ready.
Most banks can reverse a direct deposit within one business day if you call before the end of the business day it arrived. Some banks require you to fill out a form or provide written authorization. Ask the bank what documentation they need and whether they will contact the IRS directly or if you need to follow up with the IRS after the reversal.
Once the bank reverses the deposit, the funds return to the IRS. At that point, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to provide your correct bank account information. The IRS will re-send the refund to the new account, which usually takes two to four weeks from the date of reversal.
Preventing this problem on your next return
Before you file any tax return, verify your bank account number and routing number with your bank or a recent check. The routing number is the nine-digit code at the bottom left of a check; the account number is to the right of it. Many people transpose digits or use an old account number by mistake.
If you use tax software, most programs let you enter your bank information and then display it back to you for review before you submit. Read it carefully. If you use a tax professional, ask them to read the account and routing numbers back to you before they file.
Keep a record of what you filed — the account number, routing number, and filing date. If something goes wrong, you will need to prove what you originally submitted to the IRS.
State tax refunds and separate direct deposit changes
If you filed a state tax return along with your federal return, the state has its own processing system and its own direct deposit rules. A wrong account on your state return does not affect your federal refund, and vice versa. You will need to handle each one separately.
Check your state's tax authority website (search "[your state] tax refund status") to see where your state return stands. Most states offer a similar tool to the IRS Where's My Refund. If your state return is still processing, you may be able to file an amended state return. If it has already been approved, follow the same process as the federal refund: wait for it to arrive in the wrong account, contact that bank to reverse it, then contact your state tax authority to provide the correct account information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I call the IRS and ask them to change my bank account after filing?
No. The IRS does not change direct deposit information over the phone after a return is filed. If your return is still processing, you must file an amended return (Form 1040-X). If it has already been approved, the refund will go to the account you listed, and your only recourse is to have that bank reverse the deposit.
How long does it take for a bank to reverse a misdirected tax refund?
Most banks can reverse a direct deposit within one business day if you report it immediately. After reversal, the funds return to the IRS, which then re-sends the refund to your correct account — a process that typically takes two to four weeks.
What if I filed with the wrong account number but the right routing number?
The refund will go to whatever account matches that routing number and account number combination. If that account does not exist or belongs to someone else, the bank will reject the deposit and return it to the IRS. The IRS will then send you a paper check, which takes several additional weeks. Contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to provide your correct account information so they can re-send it electronically.
Can I change my direct deposit account while my return is being processed?
Only by filing an amended return (Form 1040-X) with the correct account information. You cannot change it through any online IRS tool or by phone. Filing an amendment adds four to six weeks to your refund timeline.
Do I need to do anything different if I filed through a tax professional?
Contact your tax professional immediately if you notice the wrong account before they file. If they have already filed, follow the same steps: check Where's My Refund to see if your return is still processing, and either file an amendment or wait for the refund to arrive and have the bank reverse it.