Yes, you can change your bank account in TurboTax at any point before you file

You can update your bank account information in TurboTax as long as you have not yet submitted your return to the IRS. Once you file, changing the account requires a separate amended return. The process takes about two minutes and works the same way whether you are setting up direct deposit for a refund or changing the account where the IRS will pull payment for taxes you owe.

The location of the bank account field depends on which version of TurboTax you use and whether you are receiving a refund or paying a balance. In most cases, you will find it in the "Review" or "Summary" section before you sign and file. If you have already filed and need to change the account, you will need to file Form 1040-X (Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return) with the IRS.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your bank account in TurboTax before filing, but not after the return reaches the IRS.
  • The bank account field is usually in the final review section, labeled "Refund" or "Payment" depending on whether you owe or are receiving money back.
  • TurboTax will ask for your routing number and account number; make sure both are correct before you file, because the IRS processes direct deposits automatically.
  • If you file and then realize the account is wrong, you must file an amended return (Form 1040-X) to change it.
  • The IRS will not send a refund or pull a payment from an account you did not authorize, so catching the error before filing saves weeks of delay.

Where to find the bank account field in TurboTax

In TurboTax Online, navigate to the "Review" tab at the top of the screen. Scroll down to the section labeled "Refund and Payment" or "How to Get Your Refund." If you are receiving a refund, you will see a field for "Direct Deposit." If you owe taxes, the field will be under "Payment Method" and will show "Bank Account" as an option.

In TurboTax Desktop (the downloadable version), the bank account information appears in the "Summary" section near the end of the interview. Look for "Refund Method" if you are getting money back, or "Payment Method" if you owe. Click the button to edit or add a bank account.

If you cannot find the field, check whether you have completed all required sections. TurboTax sometimes hides the refund or payment section until you have finished entering income, deductions, and credits. Go back through each section and make sure there are no warning flags or incomplete items.

What information TurboTax needs to change your account

TurboTax will ask for your routing number and account number. Your routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies your bank or credit union. Your account number is the unique identifier for your specific account at that institution.

You can find both numbers on the bottom left of a check from that account. The routing number comes first (nine digits), followed by your account number (usually 10 to 12 digits). If you do not have a check, call your bank or log into your online banking portal; most banks display both numbers in the account details section.

TurboTax will also ask whether the account is a checking or savings account. This matters because the IRS processes refunds and payments differently depending on the account type. Make sure you select the correct one.

Changing your account before you file

Open the bank account field and delete the old information completely. Enter the new routing number and account number, then select the account type. TurboTax will not validate these numbers in real time, so double-check them against your check or your bank's website before you move forward.

After you enter the new account, stay in the "Review" section and scroll through the rest of your return to make sure nothing else has changed. Then proceed to sign and file. The IRS will use the account information you submitted with your return.

If you change your mind after you have entered the new account but before you file, simply go back to the bank account field and enter the correct information. You can make as many changes as you want until you click "File Now" or "E-file."

What happens if you file with the wrong account

If you file with an incorrect bank account and realize the error after you have submitted your return, the IRS will attempt to process the refund or payment to the account you listed. If the routing number or account number is wrong, the transaction will fail and bounce back to the IRS after a few business days.

When a direct deposit fails, the IRS will mail you a check instead. This adds two to three weeks to the time you receive your money. You will not be charged a fee, and the IRS will not attempt to deposit to the account again.

To avoid the delay, file an amended return (Form 1040-X) with the correct bank account information as soon as you notice the error. You can file Form 1040-X online through TurboTax or another tax software, or you can print and mail it to the IRS. The amended return tells the IRS to use the new account for any refund or to pull payment from the correct account if you owe.

Changing your account if you owe taxes

If you owe the IRS, changing your bank account works the same way as changing it for a refund, but the stakes are slightly different. The IRS will attempt to pull the payment from the account you authorize on your return. If the account number or routing number is wrong, the payment will fail and the IRS will contact you about an alternative payment method.

You can change the account up until the moment you file. After you file, you will need to file an amended return or contact the IRS directly to authorize a different account. If you have already set up a payment plan or agreed to a payment date, changing the account may delay that payment.

Using a different bank after you file

If you have already filed and now want to use a different bank account, you have two options. The first is to file Form 1040-X (Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return) with the new account information. You can file this through TurboTax by selecting "Amend a Return" from the main menu, or you can download the form from IRS.gov and mail it.

The second option is to contact the IRS directly. If your refund has not yet been deposited, you can call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and ask them to update your account information before they process the deposit. This works only if you call before the IRS has already sent the money to the original account. If the refund has already been deposited to the wrong account, you will need to contact that bank to reverse the transaction and ask them to send it back to the IRS.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my bank account after I have filed but before the IRS processes my refund?

It depends on timing. If you file and immediately call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040, they may be able to update your account before they process the deposit. However, once the IRS has sent the money to the original account, you cannot change it. You will need to contact the bank that received the deposit and ask them to return it.

What if I enter the wrong routing number or account number by mistake?

If you catch the error before you file, simply go back and correct it. If you file with the wrong numbers, the IRS will attempt the deposit and it will fail. The IRS will then mail you a check instead, which takes two to three weeks longer. You can file an amended return to provide the correct account information.

Do I need to update my bank account if I am getting a refund and a payment plan at the same time?

No. If you are receiving a refund and also owe taxes that you are paying through a payment plan, TurboTax will show two separate bank account fields. You can use the same account for both, or you can use different accounts. Make sure you enter the correct account for each transaction.

Can I change my account to a savings account instead of checking?

Yes. When you enter your bank account information, TurboTax will ask you to select "Checking" or "Savings." The IRS can deposit to either type. Make sure you select the correct one, because some banks process deposits differently depending on the account type.

What if my bank does not have a routing number?

All banks and credit unions in the United States have a routing number. If you cannot find it, call your bank or credit union directly and ask for your ABA routing number. You can also search for it on the American Bankers Association website using your bank's name.