Change your account number with the IRS before your refund processes
If you filed your tax return with a bank account number that is no longer valid—because you closed the account, switched banks, or made a typo—you need to contact the IRS directly to update it. The IRS does not accept account number changes through your tax software, your tax preparer, or by mail after you have filed. The sooner you catch the error, the better your chances of stopping the refund before it gets rejected and sent back.
The method you use depends on whether you have already filed or are still preparing your return, and how much time remains before the IRS processes your refund.
Key Takeaways
- Contact the IRS by phone at 1-800-829-1040 as soon as you realize the account number is wrong; this is the fastest way to update it before processing.
- Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the correct bank routing and account numbers ready when you call.
- If the refund has already been rejected and returned to the IRS, you will receive a notice in the mail explaining what happened and how to resubmit with the correct account information.
- If you filed through a tax preparer or software, ask them to file an amended return only if the IRS has not yet processed your original return.
- State tax refunds may have separate account number requirements; check your state tax agency website for its own correction process.
Call the IRS immediately if you have not yet filed
If you caught the error before submitting your return to the IRS, do not file yet. Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. your local time). Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the correct bank account information ready. The IRS representative can note the correction in their system, though this does not may provide the update will reach the processing center in time.
Your safer option is to correct the account number in your tax software or with your preparer before you file. Most tax software allows you to edit bank account details up until the moment you submit. If you used a tax preparer, call them immediately and ask them to hold your return and make the correction before filing.
Report the error to the IRS if you have already filed
Once your return has been submitted to the IRS, calling 1-800-829-1040 is still your first step. Explain that you filed with an incorrect account number and provide the correct routing and account numbers. The IRS representative will flag your account for manual review, which may delay processing by a few days but can prevent the refund from being sent to the wrong account.
The IRS processes returns in batches, so there is a window of time—usually a few days to a week after filing—when a correction can still be made before the refund is electronically transferred. After that window closes, the refund will be sent to the account number on file, and if that account is closed or does not belong to you, the bank will reject it.
What happens when the bank rejects your refund
If the IRS sends your refund to a closed account or an incorrect account number, the bank will reject the transfer and return it to the IRS. This process takes 10 to 14 business days. The IRS will then mail you a notice explaining that the refund was rejected and providing instructions on how to resubmit your banking information.
The notice will include a form or a phone number to call to provide corrected account details. You can also visit IRS.gov and use the "Get My Payment" tool (designed for stimulus payments but sometimes updated for refund corrections) or call 1-800-829-1040 again with your corrected information. Once the IRS receives the correction, it typically takes another 3 to 5 weeks for the refund to be reissued and deposited.
This means a rejected refund can add 4 to 6 weeks to your wait time. That is why catching the error before filing, or calling immediately after, is worth the effort.
Correcting the account number on an amended return
If you filed through a tax preparer or software and want to file an amended return to correct the account number, ask your preparer or software provider whether the IRS has already processed your original return. If it has not been processed yet, filing an amended return (Form 1040-X) with the correct account number may be faster than calling the IRS, because the amended return will replace the original one in the system.
However, amended returns are processed more slowly than original returns—typically 8 to 12 weeks instead of 3 to 5 weeks. If you have time before the IRS processes your original return, calling is usually faster. If the original return has already been processed or is about to be, an amended return with corrected banking information will be treated as a new refund request and may take longer overall.
State tax refunds and separate account corrections
Your state tax refund may be deposited to a different account than your federal refund, or your state may have filed the return separately. If you need to correct the account number for a state refund, contact your state tax agency directly—do not assume the IRS correction will apply to your state return.
Most state tax agencies have their own phone lines and websites. Search "[your state] tax refund status" or "[your state] department of revenue" to find the correct contact. Some states allow you to update account information online through their tax portal; others require a phone call. The sooner you contact them, the better your chances of catching the error before processing.
What information you will need to provide
| Information | Why the IRS needs it |
|---|---|
| Your Social Security number or ITIN | To locate your tax return in the system |
| Your filing status (single, married filing jointly, etc.) | To confirm you are the correct taxpayer |
| The year of the return being corrected | To pull up the right tax year |
| Correct bank routing number | To identify the correct financial institution |
| Correct account number | To deposit the refund to the right account |
| Account type (checking or savings) | To ensure the transfer is processed correctly |
You can find your bank's routing number on the bottom left of your checks, on your bank's website, or by calling your bank directly. Have all of this information ready before you call the IRS, because representatives move through calls quickly and you will not have time to look things up while on the line.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my account number through my tax software after I have filed?
No. Tax software only allows edits before you submit your return to the IRS. Once filed, you must contact the IRS directly by phone at 1-800-829-1040 or wait for a rejection notice if the account is invalid. Changing the information in your software will not update the IRS system.
How long does it take the IRS to process an account number correction?
If you call before the IRS processes your return, a correction can be made within a few days. If the refund has already been rejected and returned, expect 3 to 5 weeks after you provide the corrected account number. If you file an amended return, allow 8 to 12 weeks for processing.
What if I do not have a bank account and want the refund as a check instead?
Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and request that your refund be issued as a paper check instead of a direct deposit. This can be done before or after filing, though doing it before filing is faster. Paper checks are mailed and typically arrive within 3 to 4 weeks after the IRS processes your return.
Will correcting my account number delay my refund?
Calling the IRS before filing may add a few days to processing time for manual review. If the refund is rejected and returned, you will lose 4 to 6 weeks total. Correcting the account number before filing is the fastest option.
Do I need to correct my account number for both federal and state refunds?
Yes, if you filed both federal and state returns. Contact the IRS for your federal refund and your state tax agency separately for your state refund. They maintain separate systems and do not share account number corrections.