Yes, you can change your direct deposit account after filing, but the window to do it is narrow and depends on how far the IRS has processed your return.

If you filed your return and then realized you gave the wrong bank account number, routing number, or account type, you have options — but they work differently depending on whether the IRS has already sent your refund. The sooner you catch the mistake, the more control you have. If the IRS hasn't processed your return yet, you can file an amended return with the correct banking information. If they've already processed it and sent the money to the wrong account, you'll need to contact that bank and work with the IRS to redirect the funds.

The critical factor is timing. The IRS processes returns in the order they're received, and refunds typically move within 21 days of acceptance for most filers. Once the money leaves the IRS and lands in an account — even the wrong one — getting it back requires coordination between you, the receiving bank, and sometimes the IRS itself.

Key Takeaways

  • If your return hasn't been processed yet, you can file an amended return (Form 1040-X) with corrected banking details before the IRS sends the refund.
  • If the IRS has already sent your refund to the wrong account, contact that bank when ready to report it as a misdirected deposit and request a reversal.
  • You can check your refund status on IRS.gov using the "Where's My Refund?" tool, which tells you whether the money has been sent.
  • If a bank won't reverse a misdirected deposit, you may need to file a claim with the IRS and provide documentation of the error.
  • Changing your direct deposit information on your original return after filing does not update the IRS records — you must file an amended return or contact the IRS directly.

How to catch the mistake before the IRS processes your return

The fastest fix is to stop the IRS before they send the money. Check the status of your return using the IRS "Where's My Refund?" tool at IRS.gov. This tool shows you three stages: return received, return approved, and refund sent. If your return is still in the "received" or "approved" stage, you have time to act.

If you're in that window, file an amended return using Form 1040-X with the correct bank account and routing number. Mail it or file it electronically through your tax software, depending on what the software allows. Include a note explaining that you're correcting banking information due to an error on your original return. The IRS will process the amended return and use the new banking details when they send your refund.

This approach works only if you file the amendment before the original return is fully processed and the refund is sent. Once the refund status shows "refund sent," the money is already in motion, and an amended return won't stop it.

What to do if the refund has already been sent to the wrong account

If "Where's My Refund?" shows your refund has been sent, the money has left the IRS. Your next step is to contact the bank where the money landed — the one you listed on your original return. Call the bank's customer service line and explain that you received a direct deposit to your account in error. Provide the deposit date, amount, and the fact that it came from the IRS.

Banks can reverse misdirected deposits, but they're not required to do so when ready. The bank will investigate whether the account holder (the person whose account received the money) authorized the deposit. If the account is in someone else's name entirely, the bank is more likely to reverse it quickly. If the account is in your name but with incorrect details, the bank may treat it as a valid deposit to your own account and refuse to reverse it.

If the bank refuses to reverse the deposit, document that refusal in writing. Then contact the IRS directly. You can call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 or file a claim using Form 3115 (process for Change in Accounting Method) if the issue involves a systemic error, though for a single misdirected deposit, a phone call and written documentation of the bank's refusal is usually the starting point.

Using the IRS phone line or mail to report the error

If you prefer not to wait for the bank's response, or if the bank has already refused to help, contact the IRS directly. Call 1-800-829-1040 during business hours. Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the refund amount ready. Explain that you provided incorrect banking information and that the refund was sent to the wrong account.

The IRS can issue a replacement refund to the correct account, but only after they've confirmed that the original refund went to the wrong place. This process can take several weeks. You'll need to provide the correct banking information at that time, and the IRS will verify it before sending the replacement.

If you prefer to handle this by mail, write a letter to the IRS explaining the error, include a copy of your tax return showing the incorrect banking information, and mail it to the IRS address for your state (found on IRS.gov). Include your correct banking information and request that a replacement refund be sent there.

The difference between account number errors and routing number errors

A wrong account number and a wrong routing number create different outcomes. If you gave the correct routing number but a wrong account number, the money may land in another customer's account at the correct bank. That customer's bank will likely flag it as a misdirected deposit and either hold it or return it to the IRS automatically, depending on the bank's procedures.

If you gave the wrong routing number entirely, the money may go to a completely different bank or financial institution. That institution will attempt to match the account number to one of their customers. If no match exists, they'll return the deposit to the IRS, which will then issue a replacement refund to you — but this takes longer, often 4 to 8 weeks.

In both cases, the key is to report the error as soon as you discover it. The sooner the IRS or the receiving bank knows about the mistake, the sooner they can correct it.

Timing: how long the correction process actually takes

If you file an amended return before the original refund is sent, expect the corrected refund to arrive within 21 days of the amended return's acceptance, following the same timeline as a normal refund.

If the refund has already been sent and you're working with a bank to reverse it, the reversal typically takes 5 to 10 business days once the bank approves it. After the reversal, the IRS will need to reissue the refund to your correct account, which adds another 21 days.

If you're working directly with the IRS to issue a replacement refund, the timeline is longer — usually 4 to 8 weeks from the date you contact them, depending on how busy the IRS is and how quickly they can verify the error.

Preventing this mistake on future returns

Double-check your banking information before you file. Write down your account number and routing number separately, then verify each digit against a recent bank statement or your bank's website. Many tax software programs will ask you to enter the information twice; use this as a verification step, not a shortcut.

If you use a tax preparer or software, print out the return before you submit it and review the banking section line by line. This is your final note to catch the error before it goes to the IRS.

Keep a record of what you filed — the account number, routing number, and account type (checking or savings) — so that if a problem arises, you can quickly tell the IRS or your bank what you originally submitted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I call the IRS and change my direct deposit before they send the refund?

The IRS does not change banking information over the phone. You must file an amended return (Form 1040-X) with the correct information. However, you can call to confirm whether your refund has been sent yet using "Where's My Refund?" or by speaking to an IRS representative.

What happens if my refund goes to a closed account?

If the account is closed, the receiving bank will typically return the deposit to the IRS automatically. The IRS will then hold the refund and attempt to contact you. You'll need to provide correct banking information so they can reissue it. This process takes 4 to 8 weeks.

If someone else received my refund, can I get it back?

Yes, but it requires the receiving bank to reverse the deposit. Contact the bank when ready and report it as a misdirected deposit. If the account holder refuses to return it or the bank won't reverse it, contact the IRS with documentation of the error and the bank's refusal. The IRS can issue a replacement refund to your correct account.

Does filing an amended return delay my refund?

An amended return is processed separately from your original return and may take longer — up to 16 weeks in some cases. However, if your original return hasn't been processed yet, filing an amended return with correct banking information is faster than waiting for the wrong refund to arrive and then trying to recover it.

Can I update my direct deposit information in my tax software after filing?

No. Once you've submitted your return to the IRS, changes made in your tax software account do not update the IRS's records. You must file an amended return or contact the IRS directly to change your banking information.