The most common fixes happen before you file
If your direct deposit information is wrong on file with the IRS, you have three options: correct it before you file your return, correct it while filing, or wait for a check instead. The easiest route is fixing it before you start, because the IRS will use whatever bank details appear on your actual filed return. If you file with wrong information, the IRS sends your refund to that account anyway — and getting it back takes weeks of phone calls.
Start by checking what the IRS has on record. Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and ask them to read back the bank account and routing number they have for you. Write down exactly what they say. Then check your own records: look at last year's filed return, your bank statements, or your employer's payroll system. If they match and you still didn't receive a refund, the problem is usually at your bank's end, not the IRS's.
If the IRS information is wrong, you have time to fix it only if you haven't filed yet this year. Once you file, that return locks in whatever account number you put on it.
Key Takeaways
- The IRS uses the bank details on your actual filed return, so correcting them before you file is faster than trying to redirect a refund after the fact.
- Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to confirm what account information they currently have on record for you.
- If you file with wrong bank details, your refund goes to that account and you will need to contact the IRS to recover it, a process that takes several weeks.
- If your bank rejected the deposit, contact your bank first to confirm the account is active and the routing number is correct.
- A paper check arrives in 2 to 4 weeks; a corrected direct deposit takes 1 to 3 weeks after the IRS processes your amended return.
Fixing it before you file your return
If you have not yet filed your 2024 return, update your direct deposit information in your own records right now, before you start the filing process. The account number and routing number you enter on your return are what matter — not what the IRS had from last year.
Get your correct information from your bank. Log into your online banking, call your bank's customer service line, or visit a branch and ask for your account number and routing number. Write both down exactly as your bank gives them to you. The routing number is a nine-digit code; the account number is usually 10 to 12 digits. Do not guess or use a number from an old check — banks change routing numbers and you may have opened a new account.
When you file your return — whether on paper or through tax software — enter this information in the direct deposit section. Double-check it before you submit. If you use a tax preparer or software, they will ask you to confirm the account type (checking or savings) and the routing and account numbers. Verify each digit.
Fixing it after you have already filed
If you filed with the wrong bank information and have not yet received your refund, you need to file an amended return using Form 1040-X. This tells the IRS to redirect the refund to the correct account. You can file Form 1040-X on paper by mail or through some tax software that supports amended returns.
The process takes longer than getting it right the first time. After you file the amended return, the IRS typically takes 8 to 12 weeks to process it and issue a new refund. During that time, your original refund may have already been sent to the wrong account. If it was, you will need to contact that bank and ask them to return the funds, which can take another 2 to 4 weeks.
Before you file Form 1040-X, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and ask whether your original refund has already been issued. If it has not, an amended return is your fastest option. If it has already been sent to the wrong account, ask the IRS whether they can intercept it — they sometimes can, but it depends on timing.
When your bank rejected the deposit
Sometimes the IRS has the correct account information but your bank rejects the deposit anyway. This happens when an account is closed, frozen, or flagged for fraud. The IRS will then mail you a check instead, which takes an additional 2 to 4 weeks.
Contact your bank and ask why the deposit was rejected. Ask them to confirm that your account is active, in good standing, and able to receive deposits. If the account was closed, you will need to provide the IRS with a new account number — file Form 1040-X with the correct information. If the account is frozen or flagged, your bank can usually unfreeze it once you verify your identity in person or by phone.
Once your bank confirms the account is ready, call the IRS again at 1-800-829-1040 and explain the situation. Ask them to reissue the refund to the same account now that it is active. The IRS can sometimes do this without requiring a full amended return, though it depends on how long ago the original deposit was rejected.
What to do if you cannot reach your bank or the IRS
If your bank's customer service is unavailable or you cannot get through to the IRS, you have two backup options: wait for a paper check, or file Form 1040-X by mail with your corrected information.
A paper check takes 2 to 4 weeks to arrive after the IRS issues it. If you filed your return weeks ago and still have not received anything — not a check, not a deposit, not a notice — file Form 1040-X with the correct direct deposit information. Mail it to the IRS address listed in the Form 1040-X instructions for your state. Include a note explaining that your original direct deposit failed and you are providing corrected account information.
Keep a copy of everything you mail. The IRS will send you a notice once they receive and process the amended return. This notice will tell you when to expect your refund.
Preventing this problem next year
Before you file next year's return, verify your direct deposit information one more time. Do not assume it is the same as last year — banks close accounts, people change jobs and open new accounts, and routing numbers occasionally change. Call your bank or log into your account and confirm the account number and routing number are still correct.
If you use the same tax software year to year, check that the software did not auto-fill old information. Delete it and re-enter the current details. If you use a tax preparer, bring a recent bank statement or a note from your bank showing your current account and routing numbers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get my refund after I fix the direct deposit information?
If you correct it before you file, your refund arrives in the normal timeframe — usually 1 to 3 weeks after the IRS receives your return. If you file an amended return after already filing with wrong information, add another 8 to 12 weeks for the IRS to process the amendment. A paper check takes 2 to 4 weeks after the IRS issues it.
Can the IRS send my refund to a different account than the one I filed with?
Only if you file an amended return with the new account information. The IRS will not change your direct deposit details based on a phone call or email. You must file Form 1040-X with the corrected account number and routing number.
What if I do not have a bank account?
You can request a paper check instead. Leave the direct deposit section blank on your return, or if you already filed, file Form 1040-X requesting a check. The check will arrive in 2 to 4 weeks.
Do I need to contact my employer if my direct deposit is wrong?
No. Your employer's payroll system is separate from your tax refund. Your refund goes to whatever account you list on your tax return, not to your payroll account. However, if you want to fix your paycheck direct deposit, you will need to contact your employer's payroll or HR department.
What if the IRS says they cannot find my return?
This usually means the return has not been processed yet. Call back in a few days. If you filed by mail, allow 2 to 3 weeks before calling. If you filed electronically, the IRS should have received it within 24 hours. If they still cannot find it after that time, ask them to check whether it was rejected and why.