Where Your Tax Refund Goes and How To Change It

Your refund goes to the bank account or address you listed on your tax return

The IRS sends your refund to whichever bank account or mailing address you provided when you filed. If you filed electronically, you chose direct deposit to a specific account. If you mailed a paper return, the IRS mails a check to the address on that return. The refund does not go to your employer, your tax preparer, or anywhere else unless you explicitly directed it there.

Once the IRS processes your return and approves the refund, you cannot change where it goes. The money is already in motion to that account or address. If you need the refund to go somewhere different — because you closed that bank account, moved, or made a mistake on your return — you will need to handle it after the money arrives, not before.

Key Takeaways

Your refund goes to the bank account or address you listed on your return, and you cannot change this destination after filing.
If your bank account is closed or you moved, the refund may be returned to the IRS, which will then mail you a check to your current address on file.
If you filed with a tax preparer or used a refund anticipation loan, read the fine print on your return — some preparers route refunds through their own accounts first.
Updating your address with the IRS through Form 8822 does not redirect a refund already in process, but it ensures future mail reaches you.
If your refund was deposited to the wrong account, contact that bank when ready; the bank can reverse the deposit and return it to the IRS.

What happens if you closed the bank account listed on your return

If you provided a bank account number on your return but closed that account before the refund arrived, the bank will reject the deposit. The IRS will then receive the rejected deposit back and mail you a paper check instead, usually to the address on your return. This process adds two to four weeks to your refund timeline because the IRS has to reprocess the rejected deposit and print and mail the check.

You do not need to contact the IRS to report a closed account. The bank handles the rejection automatically. However, you should make sure the address on your return is current. If you moved and did not update your address with the IRS, the check may go to an old address and you will not receive it. In that case, you can file Form 8822 with the IRS to update your address, though this will not speed up a check already in the mail.

If you moved and the refund went to an old address

If your refund was mailed to an address where you no longer live, the new resident or the postal service may return it to the IRS marked "address unknown" or "return to sender." The IRS will then hold the check and you will need to contact them to claim it. Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and have your Social Security number, filing status, and the refund amount ready. The IRS can reissue the check to your current address.

To prevent this with future refunds or tax documents, file Form 8822 with the IRS as soon as you move. Mail it to the address listed on the form itself — it varies by state. The form takes about four weeks to process. You can also update your address online through your IRS account at IRS.gov if you have one set up.

Refunds sent through a tax preparer or refund anticipation loan

If you used a tax preparer or took out a refund anticipation loan (also called a RAL or refund advance), read the paperwork you signed carefully. Some preparers route your refund through their own bank account first to deduct their fees, then send the remainder to you. Others may hold the refund temporarily or explore it to next year's fees. This is legal if you agreed to it in writing, but it delays when you receive your money.

Refund anticipation loans are short-term loans against your expected refund. The lender deposits the loan amount into your account quickly, then takes the refund directly from the IRS when it arrives. You pay interest and fees for this speed. If your refund is smaller than expected, you may owe the difference. Always ask your preparer or lender exactly when you will receive your money and what fees explore.

If your refund was deposited to the wrong account

If the IRS deposited your refund to a bank account that is not yours — because you gave the wrong account number, someone else filed a fraudulent return in your name, or there was a data breach — contact the bank that received the deposit when ready. The bank can reverse the deposit and return the money to the IRS. This is called a reversal or clawback, and most banks can do it within one to three business days if you report it quickly.

After the bank reverses the deposit, the IRS will receive the money back and reissue your refund. You can then request direct deposit to the correct account or ask for a check. Contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to report the error and request a corrected refund. If you suspect identity theft or fraud, also file a report with the Federal Trade Commission at IdentityTheft.gov and consider placing a fraud alert on your credit report.

Splitting your refund between multiple accounts

If you want your refund split between two or three bank accounts — for example, some to checking and some to savings — you can do this only when you file your return. Use Form 8888, Allocation of Estimated Tax Payments to Estimated Tax, or straightforward provide multiple account numbers on your tax software if it offers that option. Most major tax software platforms allow you to split a refund at no extra cost.

You must set up the split before you file. Once your return is submitted, the IRS will send the refund portions to the accounts you listed. You cannot change the split after filing. If you did not split your refund when you filed and want to move money between accounts now, you will need to wait for the full refund to arrive in the account you listed, then transfer it yourself.

How to update your bank account information for next year

If you want to change where your refund goes for next year's return, straightforward provide the new bank account number when you file next year. You do not need to contact the IRS in advance. When you prepare your 2024 return in early 2025, enter the correct account number in the direct deposit section of your tax software or paper form, and the IRS will send next year's refund there.

Make sure the account number, routing number, and account type (checking or savings) are correct before you file. A single wrong digit will cause the deposit to be rejected. If you are unsure of your routing number, ask your bank or look it up on your bank's website — do not guess. The IRS cannot redirect a refund once it has been processed, so accuracy matters.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have my refund sent to someone else's bank account?

No. The IRS will only deposit a refund to an account in your name or a joint account if you are a joint filer. If you want someone else to have access to the money, you can have it deposited to your account and then transfer it to them after it arrives, or you can authorize them to manage your account through a power of attorney.

What if I gave the IRS the wrong routing number?

The bank will reject the deposit and the IRS will mail you a check instead. This adds two to four weeks. To avoid this next year, verify your routing number with your bank before you file. You can find it on a check, on your bank's website, or by calling customer service.

How long does it take for a refund to show up after the IRS approves it?

Direct deposits typically arrive within one to three business days after the IRS releases the refund. Paper checks take seven to ten business days from the date the IRS mails them. Weekends and holidays do not count as business days.

Can I change my refund destination if I'm in the middle of a dispute with the IRS?

No. If the IRS is holding your refund due to an offset (to pay back taxes, child support, or student loans), the refund will go to that debt first, regardless of where you directed it. You cannot change this by updating your bank account. Contact the IRS or the agency collecting the debt to discuss your options.

What if I filed my return but haven't received my refund yet and I want to change the account?

You cannot change the account once you have filed. The refund will go to the account you listed on your return. If that account is closed or incorrect, the bank will reject it and the IRS will mail you a check instead. Plan to update your account information when you file next year.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.