Direct deposit is the fastest way to receive your tax refund

The IRS will deposit your federal tax refund directly into your bank account if you provide your routing number and account number on your tax return. This method takes 1 to 3 business days once the IRS processes your return, compared to 7 to 10 business days for a paper check. You can set up direct deposit when you file your return, or you can change your delivery method after you've already filed.

Direct deposit works with checking accounts, savings accounts, and money market accounts at any U.S. bank, credit union, or financial institution that accepts ACH transfers. You do not need to be the account owner — you can have your refund sent to a spouse's account, a family member's account, or a joint account, as long as you provide the correct routing and account numbers.

Key Takeaways

  • Direct deposit sends your refund to your bank account in 1 to 3 business days, which is faster than waiting for a paper check.
  • You need your bank's routing number and your account number, both of which appear on a blank check or are available from your bank's website or customer service line.
  • If you already filed without direct deposit, you can change to direct deposit through the IRS website, by phone, or by filing an amended return.
  • The IRS will not send your refund to a prepaid card, PayPal account, or any service that is not a traditional bank account.

Finding your routing number and account number

Your bank's routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies your financial institution. Your account number is unique to your specific account. Both appear 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's customer service line or log into your online banking portal. Most banks display both numbers under account information or account details. Some banks also print these numbers on your debit card or in your account statements. Write down both numbers exactly as they appear, because a single digit wrong will send your refund to the wrong account.

Entering direct deposit information when you file

If you are filing your return on paper using Form 1040, fill in lines 33a and 33b with your routing number and account number. The form will ask you to specify whether the account is a checking or savings account — mark the correct box.

If you are using tax software (TurboTax, H&R Block, TaxAct, or another provider), the software will prompt you to enter your routing and account numbers during the filing process. The software will verify the numbers before you submit, so you will catch most errors before they happen. If you are having a tax professional prepare your return, give them your routing and account numbers directly and ask them to confirm the numbers before filing.

Changing to direct deposit after you have already filed

If you filed your return without direct deposit and want to change the delivery method, you have two main options. The first is to use the IRS's Where's My Refund tool on IRS.gov. Once your return is processed, you can log in with your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount shown on your return. The tool will show you a button to update your direct deposit information — this works only if your return has been accepted but not yet sent out.

The second option is to call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and speak to a representative. Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the refund amount ready. The representative can update your direct deposit information over the phone, though this takes longer than using the online tool. You can also file an amended return (Form 1040-X) with the correct direct deposit information, but this delays your refund by several weeks because the amended return goes through the full processing cycle again.

What happens after you submit your direct deposit information

Once the IRS processes your return, it will send your refund to the bank using the ACH (Automated Clearing House) network. The bank then deposits the money into your account. This entire process usually takes 1 to 3 business days from the date the IRS releases the refund. Weekends and federal holidays do not count as business days, so a refund released on Friday may not appear in your account until Tuesday.

You can track your refund status using the IRS's Where's My Refund tool. The tool will tell you whether the IRS has accepted your return, is processing it, has approved your refund, or has sent it to your bank. Once the status shows "sent to your bank," the money should arrive within 1 to 3 business days. If it does not arrive within that window, contact your bank to confirm the routing and account numbers were correct.

Fixing a direct deposit error

If you provided the wrong routing number or account number, your refund will go to the wrong account. The IRS cannot recall the money once it has been sent to the bank. Instead, you will need to contact the bank that received the deposit and ask them to return it. This process can take 30 days or longer, and the bank may require documentation from the IRS showing that the deposit was sent in error.

To prevent this, verify your routing and account numbers with your bank before you file. If you discover an error after filing, contact the IRS immediately using the Where's My Refund tool or by calling 1-800-829-1040. The IRS can sometimes intercept the refund before it reaches the wrong bank, but only if you catch the error very quickly — within a day or two of filing.

State tax refunds and direct deposit

Most states offer direct deposit for state tax refunds using the same process as the federal IRS. You enter your routing and account numbers on your state return, and the state deposits the refund into your account. State refunds typically take 1 to 2 weeks to arrive after the state processes your return, though some states are faster.

Each state has its own processing timeline and its own Where's My Refund tool. Check your state's tax department website to find the tracking tool and to confirm that direct deposit is available in your state. A few states still mail refunds by check only, though this is becoming less common.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have my federal and state refunds sent to different bank accounts?

Yes. You can enter one bank account on your federal return and a different bank account on your state return. The IRS and your state tax department process refunds separately, so you can direct each one to wherever you want.

What if I close my bank account before my refund arrives?

If your account is closed, the bank will reject the deposit and return it to the IRS. The IRS will then mail you a paper check, which can take several weeks. Contact your bank and the IRS as soon as you realize this has happened.

Can I split my refund between two bank accounts?

The IRS allows you to split your federal refund into up to three separate accounts. You can send part to a checking account, part to a savings account, and part to another account. You enter the amounts and routing and account numbers for each account on your tax return.

Does direct deposit cost anything?

No. Direct deposit is free through the IRS. Your bank may charge you a fee if you have a special account type, but the IRS itself does not charge for this service.

How do I know if my direct deposit went through?

Check your bank account online or by calling your bank's customer service line. The deposit should appear within 1 to 3 business days of the IRS releasing your refund. You can also use the IRS's Where's My Refund tool to confirm the IRS has sent the money to your bank.