You can change your bank account with the IRS, but the method depends on why you're changing it and what the IRS needs to update

The IRS holds bank account information for two main reasons: to deposit refunds directly to your account, or to collect taxes you owe through electronic withdrawal. If you need to change the account on file, the path forward depends on which situation applies to you. For refunds, you can update your account on your next tax return or through the IRS website if you're changing it before a refund arrives. For payments or debts, the process is more limited and usually requires contacting the IRS directly.

The IRS does not have a single "update my bank account" form you can fill out online. Instead, you work through the tool or method that matches your specific need. Some changes happen automatically when you file your next return; others require a phone call or written request.

Key Takeaways

  • For future refunds, you can change your bank account by filing your next tax return with the new account number, or by updating it through IRS.gov before a refund is deposited.
  • If the IRS is collecting a debt from your account through electronic withdrawal, you must contact the IRS by phone or mail to change or stop the arrangement.
  • The IRS online account tool at IRS.gov (under "View Your Tax Account") lets you see what bank account is on file for refunds, but does not let you change it directly.
  • If you change banks and close your old account, tell the IRS before they attempt a deposit or withdrawal, or the transaction will fail and delay your refund or create collection problems.
  • Changes to refund bank accounts take effect only on future returns; they do not redirect a refund that is already in process.

Changing the bank account for a refund you're expecting

If the IRS is about to deposit a refund to an old account, you have a narrow window to change it. The fastest way is through the IRS website. Go to IRS.gov, sign in to your account under "View Your Tax Account," and look for the option to update your banking information. This tool is available only before the refund is actually deposited. Once the money leaves the IRS and enters the banking system, you cannot redirect it through the website.

If you miss the online window or prefer not to use the website, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount ready. The IRS can confirm your account information and attempt to change it, though they may not be able to stop a refund that is already in transit. Processing a phone request takes longer than the online method, so use the website if you can.

If the refund is deposited to the closed or wrong account, the bank will reject it and send it back to the IRS. The IRS will then mail you a check, which can take four to six weeks. To avoid this delay, update your account as soon as you know the refund is coming.

Changing the bank account for tax payments or debts

If you owe taxes and the IRS is collecting money from your bank account through an electronic withdrawal (called a levy), you cannot change the account online. You must contact the IRS directly by phone or mail. Call 1-800-829-1040 and explain that you want to change the account from which the IRS withdraws. Have your account number and routing number ready, along with your Social Security number.

The IRS may not change the account immediately, especially if a withdrawal is already scheduled. Ask the representative when the next withdrawal is planned and whether changing the account will delay it. If you want to stop the withdrawals altogether, you can request a release of levy, but that requires showing the IRS that the levy is causing financial hardship or that you have made other arrangements to pay.

If you are on a payment plan with the IRS (an installment agreement), you can change the bank account used for automatic payments. The IRS will send you a new form or allow you to update it by phone. Contact the IRS at the number on your payment plan notice.

Updating your account for future tax returns

The simplest way to change your bank account with the IRS is to use a different account on your next tax return. When you file, enter the new account number and routing number in the direct deposit section of the return. This change takes effect only for that return and any future refunds; it does not affect payments you owe or debts already in collection.

If you file electronically, the form will prompt you to enter banking information. If you file on paper, use the direct deposit lines on the form (usually near the bottom). Make sure the account is in your name or a joint account with your spouse if you are filing jointly. The IRS will reject direct deposits to accounts in someone else's name alone.

What happens if you close your bank account before the IRS deposits or withdraws

If you close the account that is on file with the IRS, tell them before they attempt a transaction. A deposit or withdrawal to a closed account will be rejected by the bank, and the IRS will have to start over. For refunds, this means a check will be mailed instead, adding four to six weeks to the process. For debts or payments, a failed withdrawal can trigger collection notices or delay your payment plan.

Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and provide your new account information. Have your new routing number and account number ready. If you are between banks and do not yet have a new account, ask the IRS to hold the transaction until you provide new information, or request that they mail a check instead.

Using IRS.gov to check what bank account is on file

You can see what bank account the IRS has on file by logging into your account at IRS.gov under "View Your Tax Account." This tool shows the last four digits of the account number and the routing number used for your most recent refund. It does not show accounts used for payments or debts, and it does not let you change the information directly from this screen.

If the account shown is wrong or outdated, use the method above that matches your situation: update it on your next return, use the online refund update tool if a refund is pending, or call the IRS if you need to change an account used for payments or collections.

When the IRS cannot change your account

The IRS cannot change a bank account if the refund has already been deposited or if a withdrawal has already been processed. Once money leaves the IRS system, it is in the banking system, and the IRS has no ability to redirect it. If a refund went to the wrong account, contact that bank to see if they can reverse it or identify where it went. If a withdrawal came from the wrong account, contact your bank and the IRS to report the error.

The IRS also cannot change an account if you do not provide correct information. Make sure you have the right routing number for your bank and the correct account number. A single digit wrong will cause the transaction to fail. If you are unsure of your routing number, ask your bank or find it on a check.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my bank account after I file my tax return?

Yes, if your refund has not been deposited yet. Use the IRS website tool at IRS.gov to update it, or call 1-800-829-1040. Once the refund is deposited, you cannot redirect it. For future refunds, simply use a different account on your next return.

What if I provide the wrong account number to the IRS?

The bank will reject the deposit or withdrawal, and it will be returned to the IRS. For refunds, the IRS will mail you a check instead, which takes four to six weeks. For payments, contact the IRS immediately to provide the correct account and ask them to retry the withdrawal.

Do I need to update my account if I switch banks but keep the same account number?

No, if the account number stays the same. However, if you close the old account and open a new one at a different bank, you must provide the new routing number. The routing number identifies which bank the account is at, so a change in banks requires a new routing number even if the account number is the same.

Can I change the account the IRS uses to collect taxes I owe?

Yes, but only by calling the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. You cannot change it online. Have your new account and routing number ready, and ask when the next withdrawal is scheduled so you know when the change takes effect.

How long does it take for the IRS to update my bank account?

If you update it online before a refund is deposited, it takes effect immediately. If you call or mail a request, allow five to seven business days. For payment plans or debt collections, changes can take longer, so call ahead to confirm the timing of the next transaction.