You can change your EFTPS bank account online, by phone, or by mail — the fastest route is the EFTPS website if you have your PIN

EFTPS (Electronic Federal Tax Payment System) lets you change the bank account linked to your tax payments without calling the IRS. If you've switched banks, closed an account, or want to pay from a different account, you have three routes: update it yourself on eftps.gov using your PIN, call the EFTPS customer service line at 1-800-555-3453, or submit a signed form by mail. The online method is fastest — changes take effect within one business day — but you need your EFTPS PIN to log in. If you don't have your PIN or prefer not to use the website, the phone line can walk you through the change in about 10 minutes.

Before you start, gather your new bank account number, routing number, and account type (checking or savings). Have your old account information handy too, in case EFTPS asks you to confirm it. If you have a tax payment scheduled in the next few days, check whether it's set to come from your old account — you may need to move it to your new account before the change takes effect.

Key Takeaways

  • You can update your bank account on eftps.gov if you have your EFTPS PIN, and the change takes effect the next business day.
  • If you don't have your PIN, call EFTPS customer service at 1-800-555-3453 to verify your identity and change your account over the phone.
  • You can also mail a signed request to the EFTPS address, but this method takes 7 to 10 business days to process.
  • Have your new bank account number, routing number, and account type (checking or savings) ready before you start the change.
  • If you have a scheduled payment coming from your old account, contact EFTPS before the payment date to move it to your new account.

Changing your account online with your PIN

Log into eftps.gov with your username and password. Once you're in your account, look for "Manage EFTPS Enrollment" or "Account Maintenance" — the exact label varies slightly depending on when your account was created. Click into that section and select "Change Bank Account Information" or "Update Banking Details."

You'll be asked to enter your EFTPS PIN as a security step. This is a four-digit code the IRS issued when you first enrolled in EFTPS; if you don't remember it, you'll need to use the phone or mail method instead. After you enter your PIN correctly, the system will prompt you to enter your new bank account number, routing number, and account type (checking or savings). Double-check these details — a wrong routing number or account number will cause your payment to fail or go to the wrong place. The system will show you a summary of the change before you submit it; review this carefully to make sure everything is correct.

Once you submit the change, you'll see a confirmation on screen. The new account becomes active the next business day. If you have a tax payment scheduled for today or tomorrow, it will still come from your old account unless you cancel it and reschedule it to your new account. Log back into EFTPS after the change takes effect to confirm that your new account information is now showing in your profile.

Changing your account by phone

Call EFTPS customer service at 1-800-555-3453. The line is open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern time. Have your Social Security number or Employer Identification Number (EIN), your current bank account information, and your new bank account information ready before you call. This will speed up the process and reduce the chance of errors.

The representative will verify your identity by asking for your SSN or EIN and may ask security questions based on your tax history. Once verified, tell them you want to change your bank account. Provide your new account number, routing number, and account type. The representative will read back the information to confirm it's correct before processing the change. The update takes effect the next business day. Ask the representative to send you a confirmation email or letter with the new account details so you have a record of the change.

Before you hang up, ask the representative whether you have any scheduled payments coming from your old account. If you do, ask them to move the payment to your new account or cancel it so you can reschedule it yourself. This prevents a payment from failing because it's trying to pull from an account that's no longer linked to EFTPS.

Changing your account by mail

If you prefer to submit a written request, you can mail a signed letter to the EFTPS address. The letter must include your name, SSN or EIN, your current bank account information, your new bank account information, and your signature. Keep the letter simple and clear — EFTPS does not require a specific form, just a signed statement with the information above. Mail it to:

EFTPS Customer Service P.O. Box 145250 Cincinnati, OH 45250

Processing by mail takes 7 to 10 business days. Because of this delay, use the mail method only if you don't have an urgent payment coming up. If you do have a scheduled payment in the next two weeks, call EFTPS instead to change your account faster or to cancel and reschedule the payment. Consider sending your letter by certified mail so you have proof of delivery; EFTPS will not ask for this, but it gives you a record in case there's a dispute about when the change was received.

What to do if you have a payment scheduled from your old account

Before you change your bank account, check whether you have any tax payments scheduled. Log into eftps.gov and look at your "Payment History" or "Scheduled Payments" section. If a payment is set to come from your old account within the next few days, you have two options: cancel the payment and reschedule it from your new account, or change your bank account first and then contact EFTPS to move the payment.

The safest approach is to change your account first, then call EFTPS at 1-800-555-3453 to confirm that any upcoming payments have been moved to your new account. This prevents the payment from failing or bouncing back because the old account is closed or no longer linked to EFTPS. If you're closing your old bank account, wait until after your EFTPS account change takes effect and any pending payments have cleared before you close it.

What happens if a payment fails after you change your account

If EFTPS tries to pull a payment from your new account and the payment fails — usually because the account number was entered wrong, the account is closed, or the account type doesn't match what you entered — you'll receive a notice from the IRS. The notice will tell you the payment failed and give you a deadline to resubmit it. You can resubmit through EFTPS, by check, or by other means the IRS accepts.

A failed payment does not automatically trigger penalties or interest, but if you miss the IRS deadline to resubmit, penalties and interest will accrue on the unpaid amount. If your payment failed because you entered the wrong account number, log back into EFTPS, correct the account information, and resubmit the payment right away. Contact EFTPS customer service if you're unsure whether the failure was caused by an error on your end or a problem with your bank.

Recovering your EFTPS PIN if you don't have it

If you've forgotten your EFTPS PIN and need to change your bank account online, you can request a new PIN from the EFTPS website. On the login page, look for "Forgot PIN?" or "Reset PIN." You'll be asked to enter your username and answer security questions based on your tax history. If you can't answer the security questions or don't remember your username, call EFTPS customer service at 1-800-555-3453 and they can reset your PIN over the phone after verifying your identity.

A new PIN is issued immediately by phone or within one business day if you request it online. Once you have your new PIN, you can log in and change your bank account yourself. Write down your new PIN in a safe place so you don't lose it again. EFTPS will not ask you to share your PIN with anyone, including IRS staff, so never give it out over the phone or email.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for a bank account change to take effect?

Changes made online or by phone take effect the next business day. Changes submitted by mail take 7 to 10 business days. If you have a payment scheduled before the change takes effect, contact EFTPS to move it to your new account or cancel and reschedule it.

Can I change my bank account if I have a payment scheduled for today?

Yes, but the payment scheduled for today will still come from your old account. Change your account now, and if you need to reschedule the payment to your new account, call EFTPS at 1-800-555-3453 before the payment processes.

What if I enter the wrong routing number when I change my account?

Contact EFTPS immediately at 1-800-555-3453 or log back into eftps.gov to correct it. If a payment has already been submitted to the wrong account, the IRS will send you a notice and give you time to resubmit the payment to the correct account.

Do I need to notify my bank when I change my account on EFTPS?

No. EFTPS communicates directly with your bank using the routing and account numbers you provide. Your bank does not need advance notice, but if you're closing your old account, make sure to do that after your EFTPS account change takes effect and any pending payments have cleared.

Can I change my bank account if my old account is already closed?

Yes. You can change to a new account at any time, whether or not your old account is still open. If your old account is closed and EFTPS tries to pull a payment from it, the payment will fail and the IRS will notify you to resubmit it from your new account.