You can change your bank account on EFTPS by logging in, going to your account settings, and updating your banking information through the Manage Bank Accounts section

The Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) lets you change which bank account your tax payments come from at any time. You do this through your EFTPS online account, not by calling or mailing a form. The change takes effect immediately for future payments, but any payment you have already scheduled will still pull from your old account unless you cancel it first.

You will need your EFTPS PIN or password to log in, and your new bank's routing number and your account number. If you are adding a bank account for the first time or switching to a completely different bank, the process is the same. The system does not verify the account details in real time, so if you enter incorrect numbers, your payment will fail and you will owe a penalty on top of the tax itself.

Key Takeaways

  • Log into EFTPS.gov with your PIN or password, then select Manage Bank Accounts to add or change your payment account.
  • You need your new bank's nine-digit routing number and your full account number; both appear on a blank check or your bank's website.
  • Changes take effect immediately for new payments, but scheduled payments will still pull from your old account unless you cancel them first.
  • If you enter the wrong routing or account number, your payment will fail and the IRS will assess a failure-to-pay penalty on top of your tax debt.
  • EFTPS does not confirm that your account details are correct before you submit them, so verify the numbers twice before you schedule a payment.

Step-by-step process to update your bank account

Start by going to EFTPS.gov and logging in with your PIN or password. If you have not set up a PIN yet, you can create one during login or call the EFTPS helpline at 1-800-555-3453 to request one by mail. Once you are logged in, look for the Manage Bank Accounts link, usually in the left navigation menu or under Account Settings.

Click Manage Bank Accounts and select the option to add a new account or edit an existing one. If you are replacing your current account entirely, you can delete the old one after the new one is confirmed. Enter your new bank's routing number (nine digits) and your account number (usually 10 to 12 digits). Double-check both numbers against a blank check or your bank's website before you submit.

After you submit, the system will show your new account as pending or active. EFTPS does not send a confirmation email or letter, so take a screenshot or note the date you made the change. Your next scheduled payment will pull from this new account. If you have a payment already scheduled for the next few days, log back in and cancel it, then reschedule it with the new account information to make sure it pulls from the right place.

What happens if you enter the wrong bank details

If your routing number or account number is incorrect, your payment will fail. The IRS will not receive your tax payment, and you will owe both the original tax amount and a failure-to-pay penalty (usually 0.5% of the unpaid tax per month). You will also owe interest on the unpaid amount from the original due date.

EFTPS does not verify your account details before you submit them, so the system will accept incorrect numbers without warning. You will not know the payment failed until your bank rejects it, which can take one to three business days. By then, you may have already missed the tax deadline. Check your EFTPS account a few days after you schedule a payment to confirm it went through. If it failed, reschedule immediately with the correct information and contact the IRS to discuss the penalty.

Timing: when the change takes effect

A new bank account becomes active for EFTPS payments as soon as you submit it. Any payment you schedule after that point will pull from the new account. However, payments you scheduled before you made the change will still pull from your old account on their scheduled date.

If you want to move a payment that is already scheduled, you must cancel it in EFTPS and reschedule it with the new account. You can cancel a payment up to one business day before it is scheduled to process. After that, the payment will go through as scheduled, and you cannot stop it. If you cancel and reschedule, make sure the new payment date does not push you past the tax deadline, or you will owe a late penalty.

Removing an old bank account from EFTPS

You can delete a bank account from EFTPS at any time, as long as you have at least one other account on file. Go to Manage Bank Accounts, find the account you want to remove, and select Delete or Remove. The account will disappear from your EFTPS profile immediately. If you have a payment scheduled to pull from that account, it will fail when the payment date arrives.

Before you delete an old account, make sure no payments are scheduled to use it. Check your payment schedule in EFTPS and cancel any payments tied to the account you are removing. Then reschedule those payments with your new account. If you delete an account without rescheduling, your payment will fail and you will owe a penalty.

If you cannot log into EFTPS to make the change

If you forgot your PIN or password, you can reset it on the EFTPS login page. Select Forgot PIN or Forgot Password and follow the prompts. You will need to answer security questions or verify your identity with information from your tax return. The reset is usually instant, and you can log back in right away.

If you cannot reset your PIN or password online, call the EFTPS helpline at 1-800-555-3453. They are open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern time. Have your Social Security Number or Employer Identification Number, your date of birth, and your address ready. The helpline can reset your PIN over the phone or mail you a new one, though a mailed PIN takes 5 to 7 business days to arrive. If your payment is due soon, ask for a phone reset so you can access your account immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my bank account the same day I want to make a payment?

Yes. You can update your bank account and schedule a payment on the same day. Log in, update your account information in Manage Bank Accounts, then schedule your payment. The payment will pull from your new account. However, if you are close to a tax deadline, do not wait until the last day—EFTPS payments must be scheduled by 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on the due date to count as on-time.

What if my bank merged or changed its routing number?

You need to update your routing number in EFTPS even if it is the same bank. Log into Manage Bank Accounts and edit the account to enter the new routing number. Your account number usually stays the same. If you are unsure of your new routing number, call your bank or check your latest statement.

Do I need to notify the IRS separately when I change my bank account?

No. Changing your account in EFTPS is all you need to do. The IRS does not need a separate notification. Your new account information is stored in EFTPS and used only for payments you schedule through that system.

Can I use a savings account instead of a checking account for EFTPS?

Yes, as long as your bank allows ACH transfers from that account. Most banks allow ACH debits from savings accounts, but some restrict them. Call your bank and ask if they allow ACH payments from your savings account. If they do, enter the routing number and account number for the savings account in EFTPS, and it will work the same way as a checking account.

What if I scheduled a payment but changed my mind about the amount?

You cannot edit a payment amount in EFTPS once it is scheduled. You must cancel the original payment and schedule a new one with the correct amount. You can cancel up to one business day before the payment is scheduled to process. After that, the original payment will go through, and you will need to make an additional payment for any remaining balance.