Direct deposit is the fastest way to receive your tax refund
The IRS deposits refunds directly into your bank account when you file electronically and provide your routing and account numbers on your return. Direct deposit typically arrives within 21 days of the IRS accepting your return, though many refunds land in 5 to 10 business days. You do not need to do anything after filing — the money moves automatically once the IRS processes your return.
If you file a paper return instead, you cannot use direct deposit. The IRS will mail a check to the address on your return, which takes 3 to 4 weeks or longer depending on mail volume and processing delays. Paper returns also take longer for the IRS to process overall, so the total wait is usually 6 to 8 weeks from the date you mail it.
Key Takeaways
- Direct deposit requires you to provide your bank's routing number and your account number when you file your return electronically.
- The IRS accepts direct deposit to checking accounts, savings accounts, and some money market accounts, but not to prepaid cards or investment accounts.
- You can check the status of your refund using the IRS Where's My Refund tool on IRS.gov, which updates once per day.
- If your bank rejects the deposit, the IRS will mail a check to you instead, which adds 2 to 3 weeks to your wait time.
- You can split your refund among up to three different bank accounts if you want to divide the money between savings, checking, and another account.
What information you need to provide to the IRS
You will need your bank's routing number and your own account number. The routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies your specific bank or credit union. You can find both numbers on the bottom left of any check you have from that account — the routing number comes first, then your account number. If you do not have a check, call your bank or log into your online banking portal to find these numbers.
Make sure the account is in your name or jointly in your name and your spouse's name if you are filing jointly. The IRS will reject a deposit to an account that belongs only to someone else, even if that person is your spouse or family member. If you are filing jointly and want the refund in a joint account, both names must appear on the account.
Double-check the numbers before you submit your return. A single digit wrong in either number will cause the bank to reject the deposit. When that happens, the IRS prints a check and mails it instead, adding weeks to the process.
Which types of bank accounts work with direct deposit
Direct deposit works with checking accounts and savings accounts at banks, credit unions, and online banks. It also works with some money market accounts and certain types of savings vehicles. The account must be a U.S. account at a U.S. financial institution — the IRS cannot deposit to foreign accounts.
Direct deposit does not work with prepaid debit cards, even if they have routing and account numbers. The IRS will reject the deposit and mail a check instead. Investment accounts, brokerage accounts, and retirement accounts like IRAs and 401(k)s also cannot receive direct deposits of tax refunds.
If you do not have a bank account, you can open one at most banks or credit unions in a few days. Some banks offer accounts with no minimum balance and no monthly fee, which makes them a low-cost option if you only need one for your refund.
How to file electronically and choose direct deposit
When you file your tax return using tax software or a tax preparer, you will reach a section asking how you want to receive your refund. Select "direct deposit" and enter your routing number and account number in the fields provided. The software will ask you to confirm these numbers before you submit the return.
If you use a tax preparer or CPA to file your return, they will ask you for this information during your appointment or when you send them your documents. Provide it in writing or verbally, and they will enter it into the IRS system when they file your return electronically.
If you file through the IRS Free File program (available to people earning under a certain income threshold, which varies by year), the participating software will walk you through the direct deposit step. You can also file using VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance), a free IRS program that uses trained volunteers to prepare returns at community centers, libraries, and nonprofits.
Tracking your refund from filing to deposit
The IRS updates refund status once per day, usually overnight. You can check your status using the Where's My Refund tool on IRS.gov. Enter your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount shown on your return. The tool will tell you whether the IRS has received your return, is processing it, has approved it, or has sent it to your bank.
The status typically moves through these stages: "Return Received" (the IRS has your return but has not started processing), "Return Approved" (the IRS has processed and approved your return), and "Refund Sent" (the money has been sent to your bank). Once it shows "Refund Sent," your bank usually receives the deposit within 1 to 5 business days, though it can take up to 21 days in rare cases.
You can also download the IRS2Go mobile app, which shows the same information and sends you notifications when your status changes. The app is free and works on iPhone and Android.
What to do if your refund does not arrive on time
If the Where's My Refund tool shows "Refund Sent" but the money has not appeared in your account after 5 business days, contact your bank first. Ask them whether the deposit was received and rejected. If your bank rejected it, they will tell you why — usually because the routing or account number was incorrect, or because the account was closed.
If your bank says they never received the deposit, wait a few more days and check again. If more than 21 days have passed since the IRS showed "Refund Sent" and your bank has not received anything, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the refund amount ready. The IRS can investigate whether the money was sent to the wrong account or lost in transit.
If the IRS sent your refund to the wrong account because you provided incorrect numbers, the IRS cannot recover the money directly. You will need to contact the bank that received it and ask them to return it. This process can take weeks. Once the money is returned to the IRS, they will issue a new refund, usually by check.
Splitting your refund among multiple accounts
You can direct the IRS to split your refund and deposit portions into up to three different bank accounts. This is useful if you want to put part of your refund into savings and part into checking, or divide it among accounts at different banks.
To split your refund, you will need the routing number and account number for each account you want to use. When you file electronically, the tax software will ask whether you want to split your refund. Select yes, then enter the amount for each account and the corresponding routing and account numbers. The amounts must add up to your total refund.
Make sure each account is in your name or jointly in your name and your spouse's name. The IRS will reject any portion sent to an account that does not meet this requirement and will mail a check for that portion instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my bank account information after I file my return?
No. Once you submit your return to the IRS, you cannot change the direct deposit information. If you need to use a different account, you must file an amended return using Form 1040-X, which takes additional time to process. It is better to verify your routing and account numbers before you file.
What happens if my bank account is closed before the refund arrives?
The bank will reject the deposit and return it to the IRS. The IRS will then mail a check to the address on your return. This adds 2 to 3 weeks to your wait time. If you closed the account and opened a new one, contact the IRS before your refund is sent if possible, though this requires filing an amended return.
Can I have my refund deposited to a joint account if only my name is on the return?
Yes, as long as your name appears on the account. The account can be joint with your spouse, family member, or anyone else, but your name must be listed as an account holder. The IRS will not deposit to an account where you are not listed.
How long does direct deposit actually take compared to a check?
Direct deposit typically takes 5 to 21 days from the date the IRS accepts your return. A mailed check takes 3 to 4 weeks for the IRS to mail, plus 3 to 4 weeks for mail delivery, so 6 to 8 weeks total. Direct deposit is almost always faster, sometimes by a month or more.
What if the IRS deposited my refund but I never received it?
Check your bank account carefully — the deposit may have posted under a different name or date than you expected. If it is not there, contact your bank and ask whether the deposit was received and rejected. If your bank has no record of it, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 with your Social Security number and filing information so they can investigate.