Direct deposit sends your IRS payment straight to your bank account without waiting for a check
Direct deposit is the fastest way to receive money from the IRS. Instead of mailing a paper check, the IRS transfers funds electronically to a bank account you specify. The money typically arrives within one to two business days after the IRS processes your request, compared to five to ten business days for a mailed check.
You can set up direct deposit when you file your tax return, or you can provide your banking information to the IRS after you've already filed. The IRS accepts direct deposit for tax refunds, economic impact payments, and other payments they issue. You'll need your routing number and account number from your bank, and you must own the account — the IRS will not deposit money into an account held by someone else.
Key Takeaways
- Direct deposit requires your bank's routing number and your account number, which you can find on a check or by calling your bank.
- You can add direct deposit information when you file your return, or update it afterward through IRS.gov or by mail.
- The account must be in your name; the IRS will not deposit into a joint account or an account belonging to another person.
- Direct deposit payments arrive within one to two business days, while mailed checks take five to ten business days.
- If you file by paper, you must include your direct deposit information on the form itself — the IRS cannot add it later.
Setting up direct deposit when you file your return
If you file electronically, you can enter your direct deposit information directly into the tax software or form you're using. The IRS accepts direct deposit on Form 1040 (the main individual income tax return) and most other forms that result in a refund or payment. You'll enter your routing number and account number in the spaces provided, and you'll also specify whether the account is a checking or savings account.
If you file by paper, you must write your routing number and account number on the form itself. There is no way to add direct deposit information after you submit a paper return — if you don't include it on the form, the IRS will mail a check instead. Double-check the numbers before you mail the form, because an incorrect routing or account number will cause the payment to be rejected and delayed.
Adding or changing direct deposit after you've filed
If you already filed your return without direct deposit information, or if you need to change the account where your payment should go, you can update this through IRS.gov. Log into your IRS account at IRS.gov/account, select the tax year, and look for the option to add or change your banking information. You can make this change as long as the IRS has not yet processed your payment — once the money has been sent, you cannot redirect it.
If you don't have an IRS.gov account, you can create one using your Social Security number, date of birth, filing status, and either a prior-year tax return or a driver's license or state ID. The account setup takes about ten minutes. Once you're logged in, you can view your payment status and add direct deposit details.
You can also update your direct deposit information by mail. Send Form 8453-OL (U.S. Individual Income Tax Declaration for an IRS e-file Return) or a written statement with your name, Social Security number, routing number, account number, and account type to the IRS address for your state. Mail takes longer than updating online, so use this method only if you cannot access IRS.gov.
What information you need from your bank
Your bank's routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies your specific bank or credit union. You can find it on the bottom left of any check you have from that account, or you can call your bank and ask for the routing number. Some banks have different routing numbers for different regions or account types, so make sure you're getting the routing number for the specific branch or account you're using.
Your account number is the number printed on your checks, usually at the bottom center. It's typically between eight and twelve digits. If you don't have a check, log into your online banking portal or call your bank to ask for your account number. Write down both numbers carefully — a single digit wrong will cause the deposit to fail.
You'll also need to specify whether the account is checking or savings. This matters because the IRS uses this information to route the payment correctly within the banking system.
Accounts the IRS will and will not accept
The IRS will deposit into a checking or savings account at a bank, credit union, or other financial institution that participates in the Automated Clearing House (ACH) network. Most U.S. banks and credit unions participate, but some smaller or specialized institutions do not. If you're unsure whether your bank participates, call them and ask whether they accept ACH deposits.
The IRS will not deposit into an account that is not in your name. This includes joint accounts, accounts held by a spouse, accounts held by a parent or guardian, or accounts held by a representative payee. If you need someone else to receive the money on your behalf — for example, if you're a minor or if a court has appointed a representative — you'll need to work with the IRS directly to arrange this, and it will not be done through direct deposit.
The IRS also will not deposit into a prepaid debit card, a gift card, or a money transfer service account, even if those services have routing and account numbers. Stick to a traditional bank or credit union account.
What happens if direct deposit fails
If the IRS attempts to deposit your payment but the deposit is rejected — usually because the routing or account number is wrong, or because the account has been closed — the IRS will mail a check to your address instead. This adds five to ten business days to the time it takes you to receive your money. The IRS will send you a notice explaining why the deposit failed.
If you receive this notice, do not ignore it. Contact your bank to confirm your routing and account numbers are correct, then log into IRS.gov and update your information with the correct numbers. If the IRS has not yet mailed the check, you may be able to stop it and have the payment deposited instead. If the check has already been mailed, you'll need to deposit it yourself when it arrives.
Direct deposit for economic impact payments and other IRS payments
Direct deposit works the same way for economic impact payments (sometimes called stimulus payments or recovery rebate payments) as it does for tax refunds. When you file your return, you can include direct deposit information, and the IRS will use that account for any payments you're owed. If you don't file a return but you're owed a payment, you can provide your banking information through the IRS website or by phone.
The IRS also uses direct deposit for other payments, including certain tax credits and advance payments. The process is the same: you provide your routing and account numbers, and the money is deposited electronically. If you've set up direct deposit for a tax refund, the IRS will use the same account for other payments unless you change it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a joint account for my IRS direct deposit?
No. The IRS requires that the account be in your name only. If the account is held jointly with a spouse or another person, the IRS will reject the deposit and mail a check instead. If you need to deposit money into a joint account, you'll have to receive the check and deposit it yourself.
How do I know if my direct deposit went through?
Log into IRS.gov and check your account. You can view your payment status, including the date the IRS sent the payment and the account it was sent to. You can also check your bank account to see if the deposit has arrived. Direct deposits typically show up within one to two business days.
What if I gave the IRS the wrong account number?
Contact your bank when ready to ask if they received a deposit to that account. If they did not, log into IRS.gov and update your information with the correct account number. The IRS may be able to stop the payment and redirect it if you catch the error quickly. If the payment has already been rejected, the IRS will mail a check instead.
Can I change my direct deposit information after I file?
Yes, as long as the IRS has not yet processed your payment. Log into IRS.gov, select your tax year, and update your banking information. You can also call the IRS or mail a written request. Once the payment has been sent, you cannot change where it goes.
Do I need to set up direct deposit every year?
No. Once you provide your direct deposit information to the IRS, they keep it on file. When you file your next return, you can use the same information, or you can change it if your bank account has changed. If you don't update it, the IRS will use the account you provided in your previous return.