Where and when the IRS asks for your bank details

The IRS asks for your checking account information in three main situations: when you want your tax refund deposited directly to your bank instead of receiving a check, when you owe taxes and want to pay by electronic transfer, or when you set up a payment plan and choose bank withdrawal as your payment method. Direct deposit is the fastest way to receive a refund—typically 1 to 5 business days once the IRS processes your return, compared to 7 to 10 business days for a paper check.

You provide this information either on your tax return itself (Form 1040 or the equivalent for your filing type) or through the IRS website, phone, or mail if you are making a payment or setting up a plan after filing. The IRS does not ask for your account information unsolicited—if someone contacts you claiming to be the IRS and demanding bank details, it is a scam.

Key Takeaways

  • Direct deposit requires your routing number and account number, both found on the bottom left of your checks or available from your bank.
  • You enter bank information on your tax return (lines 33a and 33b on Form 1040) or through IRS.gov, the IRS phone line, or by mail if paying or setting up a plan.
  • The IRS verifies your account details before processing; if information is wrong, your refund goes to the IRS and you must contact them to correct it.
  • Never provide bank information to someone who calls or emails claiming to be the IRS; the agency initiates contact by mail only.

Finding your routing number and account number

Your routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies your specific bank or credit union. Your account number is unique to your checking account at that institution. Both appear on the bottom left of every check you receive: the routing number comes first (usually between two colons), followed by your account number.

If you do not have checks, call your bank's customer service line or log into your online banking portal—most banks display both numbers in the account details section. Some banks also print this information on statements. Make sure you are providing the routing number for the specific branch where your account is held, not a general bank number, though most banks use the same routing number nationwide.

For credit unions, the process is identical. Your credit union's routing number and your account number are on your checks or available by calling the credit union directly or checking your online account.

Entering bank information on your tax return

If you are filing Form 1040 (the standard individual income tax return), you will see lines 33a and 33b near the bottom of the form. Line 33a asks whether you want a refund by direct deposit (you check "yes") or by check (you check "no"). If you choose direct deposit, line 33b asks for your routing number, and the next line asks for your account number.

Write your nine-digit routing number in the boxes provided on line 33b. Write your account number in the boxes on the following line. Double-check both numbers before submitting—the IRS will not process a refund to an account with incorrect information, and you will have to contact them to fix it.

If you file electronically (through tax software or a tax preparer), the software will prompt you to enter these numbers in a similar format. If you file by mail, print the numbers clearly in the boxes on the paper form.

Providing bank details through IRS.gov or by phone

If you have already filed your return and want to change your refund delivery method to direct deposit, or if you are setting up a payment plan or making a tax payment, you can provide your bank information through the IRS website or by calling the IRS directly.

On IRS.gov, log into your account using your Social Security number, date of birth, and filing status. From your account dashboard, you can update your direct deposit information or enter bank details for a payment arrangement. The website will ask for your routing number and account number in the same format as the paper form.

To provide bank information by phone, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 (the main IRS customer service line). Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the tax year in question ready. An IRS representative will ask you to read your routing and account numbers aloud and will confirm them before recording the information. This method is slower than the website but works if you prefer speaking to a person or do not have internet access.

What happens after you submit your bank information

Once you submit your bank information to the IRS, the agency verifies that the routing number and account number are valid and match a real bank account. This verification usually takes a few days. If the information is correct, the IRS will deposit your refund directly into that account.

If you made a mistake—for example, you transposed two digits in your account number—the IRS will not deposit the refund to your account. Instead, the money stays with the IRS, and you will receive a notice in the mail explaining that the deposit failed. You will then need to contact the IRS to provide corrected information or request a refund check instead.

The IRS does not charge you for direct deposit, and your bank will not charge you to receive a direct deposit refund. Some banks may hold the deposit for one business day before making it available, depending on their policies, but the money is yours once it arrives.

Correcting or changing your bank information

If you realize you gave the IRS the wrong bank information before your refund is processed, contact the IRS as soon as possible. Call 1-800-829-1040 or use your IRS account on IRS.gov to update your information. The sooner you correct it, the better your chances of preventing the refund from being sent to the wrong account.

If your refund was already sent to the wrong account, you cannot retrieve it directly—the receiving bank will not release money that is not theirs. Instead, contact the IRS and explain the error. The IRS will investigate and may reissue your refund to the correct account or issue a check. This process can take several weeks.

If you want to change your bank information for a payment plan or recurring payment arrangement, log into your IRS account or call 1-800-829-1040 to update your details. Changes typically take effect within one to two business days.

Recognizing IRS scams involving bank information

Scammers frequently impersonate the IRS to steal bank information. The real IRS will never call, email, or text you asking for your bank details, Social Security number, or PIN. The IRS initiates contact only by mail, and only after you have already filed a return or owe taxes.

If someone claiming to be from the IRS calls you and asks for bank information, hang up immediately. Do not provide any information. If you are unsure whether the IRS has actually contacted you, hang up and call the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040 using the number on the IRS website or your tax return—do not use a number the caller provided.

Report suspected IRS scams to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) at tigta.gov or by calling 1-800-366-4484. Reporting helps the government track and stop these schemes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a savings account instead of a checking account for my refund?

Yes. The IRS accepts direct deposit to savings accounts, money market accounts, and other deposit accounts at banks and credit unions. You will need the routing number and account number for whichever account you choose. Some people use savings accounts to avoid spending the refund immediately.

What if I do not have a bank account?

You can request a paper check instead of direct deposit. On your tax return, select "check" instead of "direct deposit" on line 33a. Paper checks take 7 to 10 business days to arrive by mail. Some people without bank accounts use prepaid debit cards, which have routing and account numbers just like a checking account.

Do I have to give the IRS my bank information if I owe taxes?

No. You can pay by check, money order, credit card, debit card, or electronic transfer. If you set up a payment plan, you can choose to pay by check or mail instead of authorizing bank withdrawals. However, bank withdrawal is usually the simplest option for recurring payments.

How long does it take for a direct deposit refund to show up?

Once the IRS processes your return and approves the refund, direct deposit typically takes 1 to 5 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank—some banks make deposits available immediately, while others hold them for one business day. You can track your refund status on IRS.gov using the "Where's My Refund?" tool.

What if the IRS sends my refund to the wrong account and I cannot get it back?

Contact the IRS immediately at 1-800-829-1040 and explain the error. The IRS will investigate and work with the receiving bank to recover the funds if possible. If recovery fails, the IRS can reissue your refund as a check or to a corrected account. This process takes several weeks, so contact them as soon as you discover the mistake.