How to Change My Direct Deposit Account for a Refund from the IRS

The Internal Revenue Service will deposit your refund directly into your checking or savings account if you provide the required information on your tax return. If your account changed since you filed the previous year's return, you simply enter the new information on your next tax return. However, you can't change the direct deposit account number on a return once it's been accepted by the IRS. If the account number you entered is incorrect or belongs to another individual, the IRS will mail you your refund.

A close-up of a U.S. tax form and bank notes.

Step

Enter the bank account number and routing number in the refund section of Form 1040. The IRS uses the account information on the current return only, so you can change the account number every time you file.

Step

Call the IRS at 800-829-1040 if you discover you entered incorrect account information on your tax return. The IRS will issue you a refund check instead.

Step

Fill out Form 8888, Allocation of Refund, if you want to split your direct deposit refund among two or three different bank accounts. Attach the form to your income tax return. You can't change the information on Form 8888 once you've filed your return, but you can call the IRS to request refund checks instead.