Use your checking or savings account routing number, not your employer's
The routing number you provide to the IRS is the nine-digit code for the bank or credit union where you want your refund deposited, not your employer, not the IRS, and not any third party. If you set up direct deposit on your tax return, you are telling the IRS which financial institution to send money to — and the routing number is how the IRS identifies that institution.
You find your routing number on the bottom left of any check from that account, or by calling your bank or credit union and asking for it. If you use a checking account at one bank and a savings account at another, each has its own routing number. The routing number must match the account number you provide, or the deposit will fail and your refund will be delayed while the IRS sorts it out.
If you are unsure which account you listed on your return, or if you think you made a mistake, you can check your status using the IRS Where's My Refund tool at irs.gov. That tool shows the account type and last four digits of the account number the IRS has on file — it does not show the routing number itself, but it confirms whether the IRS received your direct deposit information.
Key Takeaways
- Your routing number identifies your bank or credit union, and the IRS uses it to deposit your refund into the correct account.
- The routing number must match the account number you provided on your return, or the deposit will fail.
- You can find your routing number on a check, by calling your bank, or by searching your bank's website for "routing number".
- If you think you gave the IRS the wrong routing number, contact your bank first to see if the deposit arrived under a different status, then contact the IRS if it did not.
- The IRS Where's My Refund tool shows the account type and last four digits on file, which helps you confirm you entered the information correctly.
Where to find your routing number
The easiest place to find your routing number is the bottom left corner of any check from that account. The routing number is the first set of nine digits, followed by your account number, then the check number on the right.
If you do not have a check, call your bank or credit union's customer service line — the number is usually on the back of your debit card or on your bank's website. Tell them you need your routing number for direct deposit. They will give it to you in seconds. You can also log into your online banking portal; many banks display the routing number in the account details section, though you may have to look under "account information" or "direct deposit setup".
Some banks and credit unions post routing numbers on their websites. Search "[your bank name] routing number" to find it quickly. Make sure you are on the official bank website, not a third-party site, because routing numbers can vary by branch or region for large banks.
What happens if you give the IRS the wrong routing number
If the routing number does not match a real bank, or if it belongs to a different bank than the account number you provided, the IRS will attempt the deposit and it will fail. When that happens, the IRS stops the direct deposit and issues your refund by check instead. You will receive a paper check in the mail, which takes an additional one to two weeks after the failed deposit attempt.
The IRS does not contact you to tell you the deposit failed — you find out when the check arrives or when you check your account and see no deposit. To avoid this, double-check that your routing number and account number match before you file. If you filed already and think you made a mistake, use the IRS Where's My Refund tool to see the account information on file. If it looks wrong, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to report the error before your refund processes.
If your refund has already been issued as a check because of a routing number error, you cannot change it. The check will arrive at your mailing address on file with the IRS. If you move before it arrives, you can file a change of address with the U.S. Postal Service, or contact the IRS to update your address.
Routing numbers for different account types
A checking account and a savings account at the same bank usually have the same routing number, but the account number itself is different. When you provide your information to the IRS, you give both the routing number and the account number, and you specify whether it is a checking or savings account. The IRS uses all three pieces of information to route your deposit correctly.
If you have accounts at multiple banks, each bank has its own routing number. Make sure you are using the routing number for the bank where you want the refund to land. If you want your refund in a savings account at Bank A but accidentally provide the routing number for Bank B, the deposit will fail.
Credit unions also have routing numbers, and they work the same way as bank routing numbers. If you are a credit union member, ask your credit union for your routing number — do not assume it is the same as another member's, because some large credit unions have multiple routing numbers depending on the branch or region.
How to verify your routing number before filing
Before you file your tax return, write down your routing number, account number, and account type (checking or savings) and double-check all three against a recent check or your online banking portal. A small mistake in any of these three pieces of information can cause your direct deposit to fail.
If you are filing on paper, make sure the routing number is legible and in the correct box on the form. If you are filing electronically through tax software or a tax preparer, the software usually asks you to enter the information twice to catch typos. Take your time and verify each digit.
If you are unsure about anything, call your bank before you file. It takes five minutes and saves you weeks of waiting for a check if something goes wrong.
What to do if your refund was deposited to the wrong account
If your refund was deposited to an account that is not yours — because you gave the IRS the wrong routing number, or because someone else filed a fraudulent return using your information — contact your bank immediately. Tell them the deposit was made in error and ask them to reverse it. Your bank can often reverse the deposit within a few business days if the money has not been withdrawn.
At the same time, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to report the error. Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the amount of the refund ready. The IRS can issue a replacement check or attempt a new direct deposit to the correct account, but this process takes time — usually four to six weeks from the date you report the error.
If you suspect fraud — that is, someone else filed a return using your Social Security number and received your refund — report it to the IRS Identity Theft Hotline at 1-800-908-4490. The IRS has a specific process for fraud cases and can freeze your account while they investigate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my routing number after I file my return?
If your return has not been processed yet, you can file an amended return with the correct routing number. If your return has already been processed and your refund is on the way, you cannot change it. You will receive a check instead if the original deposit fails, or the money will go to the wrong account if the routing number was valid but belonged to someone else's account.
What if my bank has multiple routing numbers?
Large banks sometimes have different routing numbers for different regions or branches. Call your bank and tell them the branch where your account is held, then ask for the routing number specific to that branch. Use the routing number for your branch, not a general number for the bank.
Do I need to provide a routing number if I want my refund by check?
No. If you do not set up direct deposit on your return, the IRS will mail you a check. You do not need to provide a routing number or account number. The check will be mailed to the address on file with the IRS, and it usually arrives within three to four weeks of when your return is processed.
Is my routing number the same as my bank's main number?
No. Your bank's customer service phone number is different from your routing number. The routing number is a nine-digit code used only for electronic transfers and direct deposits. Do not confuse the two — if you give the IRS your bank's phone number instead of your routing number, the deposit will fail.
What if I do not know which account I listed on my return?
Use the IRS Where's My Refund tool at irs.gov to check. It shows the account type (checking or savings) and the last four digits of the account number on file. This helps you confirm whether you entered the right account. If the information is wrong, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 before your refund processes.