Yes, you can receive your tax refund directly to Chime

The IRS will deposit your federal tax refund directly into your Chime checking account if you provide your Chime account and routing numbers on your tax return. Chime is treated like any other bank for direct deposit purposes — the IRS has no restrictions on which financial institutions can receive refunds. The deposit typically arrives within 21 days of the IRS accepting your return, though many refunds arrive faster.

You need to use your actual Chime checking account number and routing number (not a savings account or spending account if you have multiple). Chime's routing number is 065400137. You can find your account number in the Chime app under Account Details, or on any debit card statement or check you may have ordered.

State tax refunds work the same way — you can direct-deposit state returns to Chime as well, though each state processes refunds on its own timeline. Some states take 2 to 3 weeks; others take 4 to 6 weeks or longer.

Key Takeaways

  • Provide your Chime checking account number and routing number 065400137 on your federal tax return to receive your refund by direct deposit.
  • Federal refunds typically arrive within 21 days of the IRS accepting your return, though many arrive in 5 to 10 days.
  • You can track your refund status using the IRS Where's My Refund tool at irs.gov, which updates every 24 hours.
  • State tax refunds can also be direct-deposited to Chime, but each state has its own processing timeline and you must file through that state's tax authority.
  • If your refund does not arrive within the expected timeframe, contact the IRS or your state tax authority — Chime cannot speed up or retrieve a refund that has not been sent.

How to enter your Chime information on your tax return

When you file your return — whether through a tax software, a tax preparer, or by paper form — you will see a section asking for direct deposit information. This is where you enter your Chime account details. The form asks for your routing number, account number, and account type (checking).

If you are filing electronically through software like TurboTax, H&R Block, or FreeTaxUSA, the software will have a field for routing and account number. Enter Chime's routing number (065400137) and your Chime checking account number exactly as it appears in your app. Double-check both numbers before submitting — a typo in either one can send your refund to the wrong account.

If you are filing by paper (Form 1040), write your routing and account number in the boxes labeled "Routing number" and "Account number" in the direct deposit section. Make sure the boxes are filled in clearly and legibly.

Tracking your refund after you file

Once you have filed your return, you can track its status using the IRS Where's My Refund tool at irs.gov. This tool updates every 24 hours and shows whether the IRS has received your return, is processing it, or has approved your refund for deposit. You will need your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount to use the tool.

The tool typically shows one of three statuses: "Return Received" (the IRS has your return but has not finished processing), "Approved" (your refund has been approved and is being prepared for deposit), or "Deposited" (your refund has been sent to your bank). Once the status shows "Deposited," your refund should arrive in your Chime account within one to two business days, though it sometimes arrives the same day.

You can also check your Chime app for incoming deposits. Chime often notifies you when a deposit is on the way, and you may see a pending deposit before the money is fully available.

What to do if your refund does not arrive on time

If the IRS Where's My Refund tool shows your refund as "Deposited" but the money has not appeared in your Chime account after two business days, contact Chime customer support. Provide them with the date the IRS says the deposit was sent. Chime can check whether the deposit arrived at their bank and where it went if there was a routing or account number error.

If Chime confirms the deposit never arrived, or if the IRS tool still shows "Approved" after 21 days, contact the IRS directly. Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 (Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. your local time). Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount ready. The IRS can investigate whether the refund was sent and to which account.

A common cause of delayed refunds is a mismatch between the name on your tax return and the name on your Chime account. If your Chime account is registered under a different name than your return, the IRS may hold the deposit. Update your Chime account name to match your tax return, then contact the IRS to resubmit the deposit.

Refund timing for different filing methods

Refunds arrive faster when you file electronically with direct deposit than through any other method. The IRS typically processes e-filed returns within 21 days, and many arrive within 5 to 10 days. Paper returns take longer — the IRS can take 4 to 6 weeks to process a paper return, and refunds are slower to arrive.

Filing early in the tax season (January or early February) can also speed things up, because the IRS processes returns in the order they are received. Filing in April, when millions of returns arrive at once, may add processing time.

If you claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Additional Child Tax Credit, the IRS is required to hold your refund until at least February 15, even if your return is processed earlier. This is a federal rule and applies regardless of how you file or which bank receives your refund.

State tax refunds to Chime

Most states allow you to direct-deposit your state refund to Chime using the same routing number and account number. When you file your state return through your state's tax authority website or through tax software, look for the direct deposit section and enter your Chime information there.

State refund timelines vary widely. Some states (like California and New York) process refunds within 2 to 3 weeks if you file electronically. Others take 4 to 6 weeks or longer. A few states still mail paper checks by default, though most now offer direct deposit as an option.

Check your state's tax authority website for the current processing timeline and to track your state refund status. Most states have their own "Where's My Refund" tool similar to the IRS version.

What happens if you close your Chime account before your refund arrives

If you close your Chime checking account after filing but before your refund is deposited, the refund will be rejected and returned to the IRS. The IRS will then issue you a paper check, which takes an additional 2 to 4 weeks to arrive by mail. To avoid this, keep your Chime account open until you confirm your refund has been deposited.

If you have already closed your account and your refund was rejected, you can check the status using Where's My Refund. Once the tool shows the refund was returned, the IRS will mail a check to the address on your return. There is no way to speed up this process or redirect the check to a different account.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Chime's routing number for tax refunds?

Chime's routing number is 065400137. Use this number for both federal and state tax refunds. Make sure you enter it exactly as shown — even one digit wrong will send your refund to the wrong place.

How long does it take for a tax refund to show up in Chime after the IRS deposits it?

Once the IRS sends your refund to Chime, it typically appears in your account within one to two business days. Some deposits arrive the same day. Check the IRS Where's My Refund tool to confirm the IRS has sent the deposit before expecting it in Chime.

Can I use my Chime savings account or spending account for my tax refund?

No, you must use your Chime checking account. If you provide a savings account or spending account number, the IRS will reject the deposit and mail you a paper check instead, which takes much longer.

What if I made a mistake entering my Chime account number on my return?

If you entered the wrong account number before filing, you cannot change it after the return is submitted to the IRS. The refund will be deposited to the wrong account or rejected. Contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to report the error. They can investigate and may be able to recover the refund, though this process takes several weeks.

Do I need to do anything special with Chime to receive a tax refund?

No. Chime does not require you to set up direct deposit or activate any feature to receive a tax refund. Simply provide your Chime routing and account number on your tax return, and the IRS will deposit the refund like any other direct deposit.