Add your checking account through your online account portal or by mail
Most refund programs let you add a checking account directly through your online account dashboard. Log in, find the payment method or bank account section, and enter your routing number and account number. The system will usually verify the account by depositing two small test amounts (typically under $1 each) into your account within one to three business days. You then confirm those amounts in your account to prove you own the account.
If you do not have online access or prefer not to use it, you can add your account by mail. Request a form from the program or agency handling your refund, fill in your banking details, sign it, and mail it back. This route takes longer — usually five to ten business days for the account to be added, plus the verification deposits.
Some programs also accept account information over the phone with a representative, though this is less common. Call the refund program's customer service line and ask whether they can add your account that way.
Key Takeaways
- Online account portals are the fastest way to add a checking account, with verification deposits arriving within one to three business days.
- You will need your routing number (the nine-digit code at the bottom left of your checks) and your full account number to add your account.
- Verification typically requires you to confirm two small test deposits the program sends to your account.
- Mailing in a signed form takes five to ten business days longer than the online method.
Where to find your routing and account numbers
Your routing number appears at the bottom left of any check you have from that account. It is a nine-digit code. Your account number is the longer string of digits next to the routing number, also at the bottom of the check.
If you do not have checks, log into your bank's website or app and look for account details, account information, or settings. Most banks display both numbers there. You can also call your bank's customer service line and ask them to read you both numbers over the phone.
Make sure you are using the correct account number for the account you want refunds sent to. A single digit wrong will cause the deposit to fail or go to the wrong account.
How verification deposits work
After you enter your account information, the program sends two deposits of less than $1 each to your checking account. These arrive within one to three business days, depending on your bank's processing speed. You will see them as separate transactions in your account.
Once they arrive, log back into your account with the refund program and enter the exact amounts of both deposits. This confirms that you own the account and can receive money there. After you verify the amounts correctly, your account is active and ready to receive refunds.
If the deposits do not arrive after five business days, contact the refund program's customer service. The account information may have been entered incorrectly, or your bank may have blocked the deposits as suspicious activity.
What happens if you enter the wrong account number
If you make a mistake when entering your account number, the verification deposits will either fail to arrive or land in a different account. If they fail, the program will usually notify you and ask you to re-enter the correct number. If they go to the wrong account, you will not see them in your account and will not be able to verify them.
Contact the refund program immediately if this happens. Explain that you entered the wrong account number and provide the correct one. The program can cancel the failed verification and start a new one with the right account details. This adds a few extra days to the process, but it is straightforward to fix.
Removing or changing your checking account
Most programs let you remove a checking account or replace it with a different one through the same online portal where you added it. Find the payment method or bank account section, select the account you want to remove, and choose delete or remove. You can then add a new account using the same verification process.
If you have already received a refund to an account and want to change it for future refunds, make the change as soon as you can. Some programs process refunds in batches, so changing your account mid-cycle may not affect a refund that is already in progress.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to add a checking account?
Online entry takes a few minutes, but the verification deposits arrive within one to three business days. Once you confirm the deposit amounts, your account is active immediately. The entire process usually takes three to five business days from start to finish.
Can I add a savings account instead of a checking account?
Most programs accept both checking and savings accounts. When you enter your account information, the system will ask you to specify which type it is. Use the correct type or the deposit may fail.
What if my bank blocks the verification deposits?
Some banks flag small deposits from unfamiliar sources as suspicious. Contact your bank and let them know to expect deposits from the refund program. Ask them to allow the deposits through. You may also need to contact the refund program to request that they resend the verification deposits.
Can I add someone else's checking account to receive my refund?
No. The account must be in your name or a name on the refund. Most programs verify this by matching the account holder's name to the refund recipient. Using someone else's account without their name on it can delay or block your refund.
Do I need to add my account if I want a check mailed instead?
No. If you choose to receive your refund by check, you do not need to add a bank account. The program will mail a physical check to your address on file. This takes longer than direct deposit — usually two to four weeks depending on mail delivery.