Yes, you can change your bank account number, but the timing matters
You can change your bank account number at any time through your bank. The question for refund purposes is whether the change happens before or after you've already told the government or a company where to send your money. If you change your account number after you've submitted a refund request with your old account details, the money will go to the old account, and you'll need to contact your bank to redirect it. If you change it before submitting refund information, use the new account number instead.
The process of changing your account number itself is straightforward—call your bank, visit a branch, or use your bank's app or website. Your bank will close the old account or convert it to a new number and issue you a new debit card. The complication arises only when refunds are already in motion toward the old account.
Key Takeaways
- Contact your bank directly to change your account number; the process takes a few days to a week, and you'll receive a new debit card.
- If a refund has already been submitted to your old account number, contact your bank's customer service to request a trace and redirect the funds to your new account.
- For tax refunds, the IRS can redirect money sent to a closed or changed account, but you must contact them within a specific timeframe after the deposit fails.
- Always update your account information with the IRS, your state tax agency, or an employer before submitting a refund request if you've recently changed accounts.
- Some banks charge a fee to issue a new account number; confirm whether your bank does before requesting the change.
How to change your account number with your bank
Call your bank's customer service line or visit a branch in person. Have your current account number and ID ready. Tell them you want to change your account number. Some banks will close your old account and open a new one with a different number; others will simply issue you a new account number for the same account. Ask which process your bank uses, because it affects what happens to money sent to the old number.
Your bank will mail you a new debit card within 5 to 10 business days. In the meantime, you can still access your account online or by phone. If you need the new account number before the card arrives, ask the bank representative to provide it immediately—they can give it to you over the phone or in writing at the branch.
Some banks charge a fee for issuing a new account number, typically $10 to $25. Ask about this before you request the change. If your account was compromised or you're changing it for security reasons, many banks waive the fee.
What happens if a refund goes to your old account number
If you've already submitted refund information with your old account number and then changed it, the refund will deposit into the old account. This is not a disaster—your bank can help you move the money. Call your bank's customer service and explain that funds were deposited to a closed or old account that you no longer use. Ask them to trace the deposit and transfer it to your new account. This usually takes 3 to 5 business days.
If your old account was closed entirely, the bank may have a process to intercept the deposit before it posts. The sooner you contact them after changing your account, the better your chances of stopping the deposit before it lands. If the deposit has already posted to the closed account, the bank can still retrieve it and move it to your new account, but it takes longer—sometimes up to two weeks.
Redirecting tax refunds sent to the wrong account
If you filed your tax return with your old account number and then changed accounts before the IRS deposited your refund, contact the IRS immediately. Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and explain that you changed your account number after filing. Provide your new account details. The IRS can update your information in their system and redirect the refund to the new account before it's processed.
If the refund has already been deposited to your old account, contact your bank first to move the money to your new account using the trace process described above. You can also contact the IRS to report the deposit to the wrong account; they have a process to help recover misdirected refunds, but it's slower than asking your bank to move the money directly.
For state tax refunds, contact your state's tax agency directly. Most states have a phone line for refund issues. Have your Social Security number, filing status, and both account numbers ready. State agencies can usually update your account information and reroute the refund if it hasn't been processed yet.
Updating your account number before submitting refund requests
If you know you're changing your account number and you haven't yet submitted a refund request—whether for taxes, a stimulus payment, an insurance claim, or a business refund—wait until after the change is complete to provide your account information. This avoids the problem entirely.
For tax refunds, update your account number on your tax return before you file. If you file electronically, you can enter your new account number directly into the tax software. If you file by mail, write your new account number on the return itself. The IRS will use whatever number appears on the return you submit.
For other refunds—insurance claims, business refunds, government payments—contact the organization handling the refund and ask whether you can update your account information before they process the payment. Most will allow this if the refund hasn't been submitted to the bank yet.
Account number changes and direct deposit for ongoing payments
If you receive regular direct deposits—paychecks, Social Security, unemployment benefits—and you change your account number, you must update your account information with your employer or the government agency sending the payment. They will not automatically know about your new account number.
For Social Security or SSI, contact the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 and provide your new account number. For unemployment benefits, log into your state's unemployment portal or call the number on your benefit statement. For paychecks, contact your employer's payroll department. These updates usually take effect within one to two pay periods.
If a payment is sent to your old account number after you've changed it, follow the same process: contact your bank to trace and redirect the deposit, then contact the organization sending the payment to update your account information for future payments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my refund be lost if it goes to my old account number?
No. Your bank can trace the deposit and move it to your new account. This takes 3 to 5 business days if the deposit has already posted, or longer if the account was closed. Contact your bank immediately after you realize the mistake.
Can I change my account number multiple times?
Yes, but each change takes time and may involve a fee. If you're changing your account for security reasons, do it once and update all your refund information afterward. Frequent changes make it harder to track where money is being sent.
What if my bank closed my old account and won't accept the deposit?
The IRS and most government agencies have processes to handle deposits to closed accounts. Contact your bank first to see if they can intercept the deposit. If not, contact the organization sending the refund and report the closed account. They can reissue the payment to your new account.
Do I need to change my account number if I'm just getting a new debit card?
No. A new debit card usually has the same account number on the back. Your account number only changes if your bank issues you a new account or if you request a new account number specifically. Ask your bank whether your new card will have the same account number.
How long does it take to change my account number?
The change itself is immediate in your bank's system. Your new debit card arrives in 5 to 10 business days. You can use your new account number for refunds as soon as the bank confirms the change, even before the card arrives.