What Happens if I Put the Wrong Bank Information on My Taxes?
Direct deposit is the fastest way to get your tax refund, but not if your information is wrong. If you incorrectly enter your bank account or routing numbers, your mistake can cause a world of stress and a delayed refund. Generally, if the IRS is unable to deposit your tax refund, they will send a check to the mailing address listed on your tax return.
What about if you owed the IRS? If you scheduled a direct debit with incorrect bank information, you would need to cancel the payment and choose another payment method.
How do I correct my bank account number on my tax return?
Once you submit your tax return, you will need to wait for IRS acknowledgment which can take up to 48 hours.
If your tax return gets rejected, you will have another opportunity to change your routing number or account number before refiling your return.
If your tax return has been accepted, your banking information cannot be changed in our program. Typically, when the direct deposit fails, the bank will return the refund to the IRS and the IRS will issue a paper check to the address on your return.
It is recommended that you call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to see if they can assist in correcting your direct deposit information.
What happens if I put the wrong number for direct deposit?
If the IRS notices that you missed a digit in the bank account or routing number, they’ll skip the direct deposit and go straight to sending you a refund check. Similarly, if you entered a valid (but incorrect) account number, some banks will reject the deposit because of the mismatched names. Once the refund is returned to the IRS, they will issue a refund check to the mailing address on your tax return.
If the account number you entered belongs to someone else and the direct deposit goes through, you’ll need to work with your bank to get your money back.
What happens if a refund is sent to a closed account?
If your refund is sent to a closed account, your bank will reject the refund and the IRS will mail you a paper check.
What if my refund was deposited into someone else's account?
If your refund was deposited into someone else's account, you will need to work with your bank to recover your refund. If the bank refuses to return the funds, there’s nothing the IRS can do to convince them otherwise. You may have to take your bank and/or the owner of the account to civil court.
How can I ensure that my refund gets deposited into my account?
Always double check your account and routing numbers to make sure they are correct. If you have a paper check, the first set of numbers in the bottom left is your routing number. It should be 9-digits. The second set of numbers is your account number.
Your tax refund can only be direct deposited into accounts in your name, your spouse’s name or both if it’s a joint account. Finally, make sure you file an error-free return. Certain mistakes can increase or decrease the amount of your refund.
How do I change my payment method with the IRS?
If you have an amount due to the IRS or State, once your return is accepted, your account information cannot be changed. Your only option is to cancel the payment and select another payment method. The IRS suggests waiting 7 to 10 days, then giving them a call at 888-353-4537 to cancel your payment. Requests must be made at least two business days before the scheduled payment date. Here’s a link for more information about IRS payments: https://www.irs.gov/payments
