Change your direct deposit details in TurboTax before you file your return

You can change your direct deposit information in TurboTax at any point before you file and submit your return to the IRS. Once you have filed, you cannot change the bank account through TurboTax — you will need to contact the IRS directly or file an amended return. The steps differ slightly depending on whether you are using TurboTax Online or the desktop version, but both let you edit your banking details in the refund section of your return.

Direct deposit is the fastest way to receive a federal tax refund. The IRS deposits money into your account in five to seven business days after accepting your return, compared to two to three weeks for a paper check. If you entered the wrong account number, routing number, or account type, fixing it before filing takes just a few minutes.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your direct deposit information in TurboTax up until the moment you file and submit your return to the IRS.
  • In TurboTax Online, navigate to the Refund section, select Direct Deposit, and update your bank routing number, account number, and account type.
  • In TurboTax Desktop, the direct deposit fields appear in the Federal Taxes section under the Refund area, and you edit them the same way.
  • Once the IRS accepts your return, you cannot change direct deposit through TurboTax and must contact the IRS or file an amended return instead.
  • Double-check your routing number and account number against a blank check or your bank's website before filing to avoid delays.

How to change direct deposit in TurboTax Online

Open your TurboTax account and sign in. Navigate to your return and find the section labeled "Refund" or "Where's My Refund." This section appears after you have entered your income and deduction information. Click on the "Direct Deposit" option within the Refund section.

You will see three fields: routing number, account number, and account type. The account type is usually either Checking or Savings. Update any field that contains incorrect information. Your routing number is a nine-digit code specific to your bank and branch; your account number is the unique identifier for your specific account at that bank. If you are unsure of either number, check a blank check from your checkbook — the routing number appears at the bottom left, and the account number appears next to it. Alternatively, log into your bank's website or mobile app and look for account details or settings.

After you have entered the correct information, TurboTax will display a summary of your refund method. Review it carefully to make sure the account type, routing number, and account number all match your bank records. Then proceed to the next section of your return. You can change these details again at any time before you file.

How to change direct deposit in TurboTax Desktop

Open TurboTax Desktop and load your return. Go to the Federal Taxes section and look for the Refund area. This is usually found after you have completed your income and deduction entries. Click on the Direct Deposit option.

The same three fields appear: routing number, account number, and account type. Enter or correct the information as needed. TurboTax Desktop will validate the routing number format as you type — if the number does not match a known bank, it may flag it, but this does not always mean the number is wrong. Check your bank records to confirm. Once all three fields are filled in correctly, move forward in your return.

Like the online version, you can return to this section and make changes as many times as you need before you file. The changes take effect only when you submit your return to the IRS.

What happens if you change direct deposit after filing

If you have already filed your return and the IRS has accepted it, TurboTax will not let you change your direct deposit information through the software. At this point, you have two options: contact the IRS directly, or file an amended return.

Contacting the IRS is faster if you catch the error quickly — ideally within a few days of filing. Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and explain that you filed with the wrong bank account. Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the correct account information ready. The IRS can sometimes update your direct deposit details before processing your refund, but this is not may provide and depends on how far along your return is in the system.

If the IRS has already processed your refund to the wrong account, you will need to contact that bank to see if the deposit can be reversed or recalled. This process varies by bank and is not always successful. Filing an amended return (Form 1040-X) with the correct direct deposit information is a backup option, but it adds weeks to your refund timeline.

Verifying your bank details before you file

The most reliable way to confirm your routing and account numbers is to look at a blank check from your checkbook. At the bottom of the check, you will see three groups of numbers separated by vertical lines. The first group is your routing number (nine digits), the second is your account number, and the third is the check number. Write these down exactly as they appear.

If you do not have checks, log into your bank's website or mobile app. Most banks display your routing number and account number in the account details or settings section. Some banks label these as "bank routing number" and "account number," while others may call them "ABA number" and "account ID." If you cannot find them online, call your bank's customer service line — they can read both numbers to you over the phone.

Before you file, compare the numbers you entered in TurboTax to your bank records one more time. A single digit wrong in either number will send your refund to the wrong account, and recovering it can take weeks.

Account type: checking versus savings

TurboTax asks you to specify whether your refund should go to a Checking or Savings account. This must match the actual account type at your bank. If you have a checking account but select Savings, or vice versa, the IRS may reject the direct deposit and issue a paper check instead, delaying your refund by weeks.

If you are unsure which type of account you have, check your bank statements or log into your online banking. The account type is usually listed at the top of the account summary or in the account details section. Some banks use different names — for example, "Money Market" or "Money Market Savings" — but these are still savings accounts for tax purposes. When in doubt, call your bank and ask them to confirm whether your account is checking or savings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my direct deposit if I filed my return yesterday?

If the IRS has not yet accepted your return, you can still change it in TurboTax. Log back in, navigate to the Refund section, update your direct deposit details, and file again. If the IRS has already accepted your return, you cannot change it through TurboTax and must contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to request a change before your refund is processed.

What if I entered the wrong account type but the routing and account numbers are correct?

The IRS may reject the direct deposit if the account type does not match your bank's records. This usually results in a paper check being mailed instead, which takes two to three weeks. If you have not yet filed, go back and correct the account type before submitting. If you have already filed, contact the IRS immediately to request a correction.

How do I know if my direct deposit information was accepted by the IRS?

After the IRS accepts your return, you can track your refund status using the IRS "Where's My Refund" tool on irs.gov. This tool shows whether your refund was approved for direct deposit and when it will be deposited. If it shows a mailing address instead, your direct deposit was rejected and a check is being sent.

Can I split my refund between two bank accounts in TurboTax?

TurboTax allows you to split your refund among up to three different accounts — checking, savings, and a third account. You specify the amount for each account in the Refund section. This feature is useful if you want to deposit part of your refund into savings and part into checking, for example.

What if my bank's routing number is not recognized by TurboTax?

TurboTax validates routing numbers against a database of known banks. If your routing number is flagged as invalid, double-check it against your check or your bank's website. If the number is correct but TurboTax still rejects it, contact your bank to confirm the routing number, then try entering it again. Some smaller banks or credit unions may not be in TurboTax's database, but the IRS will still accept the deposit if the number is correct.