Receiving your tax refund efficiently is something we all look forward to. For many, direct deposit is the fastest and most convenient way to get that money into your hands. But what if your bank account details have changed, or you realized you entered something incorrectly on your TurboTax return? It's a common concern, and thankfully, in some situations, you can make changes. Let's dive into a comprehensive guide on how to navigate changing your direct deposit information on TurboTax.
Changing Your Direct Deposit on TurboTax: A Step-by-Step Guide
It's crucial to understand that when you can change your direct deposit information largely depends on whether you have already filed your tax return and, if so, whether it has been accepted by the IRS.
Step 1: Assess Your Filing Status – Have You Filed Yet?
Before you do anything, take a moment to confirm the current status of your tax return. This is the most critical first step, as it dictates what actions you can take.
Scenario A: You Haven't Filed Your Return Yet.
Great news! This is the ideal scenario. If you haven't clicked that "File" button and your return is still in progress, you have full control over your direct deposit information. This is the easiest situation to fix any errors or update to a new account.
Scenario B: You Have Filed, but Your Return is Rejected.
Good news! If your e-filed return was rejected by the IRS (or state), you'll have the opportunity to make corrections, including your direct deposit information, before resubmitting.
Scenario C: You Have Filed, and Your Return is Accepted (or Mailed).
Unfortunately, this is the most challenging scenario. Once your return has been accepted by the IRS (or if you mailed a paper return), it is generally too late to change your direct deposit information through TurboTax or directly with the IRS. The IRS typically does not allow changes to banking information after a return has been accepted.
Step 2: (If Applicable) Changing Direct Deposit Before Filing
If your return is still in progress and not yet filed, follow these steps within TurboTax to update your direct deposit details:
2.1 Navigating to the Refund/Payment Section
Open or continue your return in TurboTax. Log in to your TurboTax account and select the tax year you're working on.
Look for the "File" section or tab. This is usually located in the left-hand navigation menu or at the top of the screen.
Within the "File" section, you'll likely see a step related to "Your refund/payment info" or similar. Click "Start" or "Revisit" or "Continue" next to this option.
2.2 Updating Your Bank Account Details
You should now be on a screen that shows your refund amount and various options for how you'd like to receive it. Look for an option like "See all options" on the "Get your refund up to 5 days early" screen (if applicable) or simply the direct deposit selection.
Choose "Direct deposit" as your refund method.
You will then be prompted to enter your bank account information. This is where you'll input the correct or new details. You'll typically need:
Bank Name: The full legal name of your financial institution.
Routing Number: This is a nine-digit number that identifies your bank. You can usually find it on your checks or through your online banking portal. Double-check this carefully!
Account Number: Your specific checking or savings account number. Also, double-check this for accuracy.
Account Type: Specify whether it's a checking or savings account.
Carefully review the entered information. One tiny digit wrong can send your refund to the wrong place or delay it significantly. It's a good idea to have a voided check or access to your online banking to ensure accuracy.
Follow any on-screen instructions to confirm and save your changes.
Once you've updated your banking information, you can proceed with filing your tax return as usual. The refund will now go to the updated account.
Step 3: (If Applicable) Changing Direct Deposit if Your Return is Rejected
If you've already filed and received a rejection from the IRS or state, consider yourself lucky! This provides a window of opportunity to correct your direct deposit information.
3.1 Accessing Your Rejected Return
Log in to your TurboTax account. You should see a notification about your rejected return.
Follow the prompts to correct your return. TurboTax will typically guide you through the errors that caused the rejection.
3.2 Revisiting the E-file Section
As you go through the correction process, you will eventually return to the "File" section of your return.
Look for the "Sign & File" portion of the e-file process. This is where the direct deposit information is typically entered.
You should see an "Edit" button next to your banking information. Click this button to make changes.
3.3 Entering Corrected Bank Details
Enter the correct bank name, routing number, and account number.
Verify, verify, verify! Make sure every digit is accurate.
Save your changes and then re-submit your return to the IRS (or state). The corrected direct deposit information will now be included in your re-submission.
Step 4: (If Applicable) What to Do if Your Return is Accepted
This is where it gets tricky. As mentioned, once your return has been accepted by the IRS (or mailed), you cannot change your direct deposit information through TurboTax or the IRS. The system is designed this way to prevent fraud.
4.1 Understanding the Process
If you entered incorrect banking information, the IRS will attempt to deposit the refund into the account you provided.
Scenario 1: Incorrect Account (Doesn't Exist / Name Mismatch). If the account number is invalid or the name on the account doesn't match the tax filer, the bank will typically reject the deposit and return the funds to the IRS. In this case, the IRS will then mail you a paper check to the address on file for your tax return. This will cause a significant delay in receiving your refund (expect several weeks).
Scenario 2: Incorrect Account (Belongs to Someone Else / Valid). If you accidentally entered a valid account number belonging to someone else and the bank accepts the deposit, this becomes a civil matter between you and the recipient of the funds. The IRS cannot compel the bank to recover the funds for you in this situation. You would need to contact the bank directly and try to work with them to recover the money. This is a rare but unfortunate situation.
4.2 Actions You Can Take (Limited)
Monitor "Where's My Refund?": Keep a close eye on the IRS "Where's My Refund?" tool (irs.gov/refunds). If the direct deposit fails, the status will likely update, and it will eventually indicate that a paper check will be mailed.
Contact Your Bank (If an Invalid Account): If you suspect a typo and the bank might receive it, you can try contacting your bank to see if they've received an inbound deposit for your tax refund that they are rejecting.
Contact the IRS (Limited Circumstances): In very rare and specific situations, if your return hasn't posted to the IRS system yet, you might be able to call them to request a stop to the direct deposit. However, this window is extremely small, and often by the time you realize the error, it's too late. The general IRS number for refund inquiries is 1-800-829-1040 (M-F, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time). Be prepared for long wait times.
File Form 3911 (Taxpayer Statement Regarding Refund): If a substantial amount of time has passed (e.g., two weeks) and you believe the bank should have rejected the deposit but hasn't, or if you need the IRS to trace the refund, you can file IRS Form 3911. This form allows the IRS to contact the bank on your behalf to attempt recovery of your funds. However, banks are allowed up to 90 days to respond to these requests, so this is a lengthy process.
Important Considerations and Best Practices
Accuracy is Key: The easiest way to avoid direct deposit issues is to always triple-check your routing and account numbers before filing. Have your bank details readily available, ideally from a voided check or your online banking portal.
Account Ownership: The bank account for direct deposit must be in your name. If it's a joint refund, it should be in the name of at least one of the filers. Deposits to accounts not matching the taxpayer's name can be rejected.
Prepaid Debit Cards: Many reloadable prepaid cards have associated routing and account numbers. If you're using one, confirm with the card provider that it accepts tax refund direct deposits and ensure you have the correct routing and account numbers for this purpose (they might be different from the card number itself).
Splitting Your Refund: TurboTax and the IRS allow you to split your refund into up to three different bank accounts by using IRS Form 8888, Allocation of Refund. This can be useful for saving or allocating funds to different purposes. You can specify the amount for each account. If you choose this, be extra careful with each set of banking details.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to check my direct deposit information on TurboTax before filing?
You can check your direct deposit information by navigating to the "File" section in your TurboTax return and selecting the "Your refund/payment info" step. Your entered bank details will be displayed there, allowing you to review them before submission.
How to change direct deposit if my TurboTax return is rejected?
If your TurboTax return is rejected, log back into your TurboTax account, go through the prompts to correct the errors, and when you reach the "File" section, you'll find an "Edit" option next to your direct deposit information. Click "Edit" to update the details and then re-submit your return.
How to get a paper check if direct deposit fails for my TurboTax refund?
If your direct deposit fails (due to incorrect account info, account closure, or name mismatch), the bank will return the funds to the IRS. The IRS will then automatically issue a paper check and mail it to the mailing address listed on your tax return. This process can take several weeks.
How to contact the IRS about a direct deposit issue after filing?
You can call the IRS toll-free at 1-800-829-1040 (Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time). Be aware that they generally cannot change direct deposit information once a return has been accepted, but they can provide information on the status of your refund.
How to track my tax refund status after changing direct deposit on TurboTax?
You can track your refund status using the IRS "Where's My Refund?" tool on the IRS website (irs.gov/refunds). You'll need your Social Security Number, filing status, and the exact refund amount. This tool will update you on whether your refund has been sent, deposited, or if a check is being mailed.
How to find my bank's routing and account number for TurboTax direct deposit?
You can typically find your bank's routing and account numbers on a personal check (the routing number is the first nine digits at the bottom left, and your account number follows). Alternatively, you can log into your online banking account or contact your bank directly.
How to split my direct deposit refund into multiple accounts using TurboTax?
To split your refund into multiple accounts, you'll need to use IRS Form 8888, "Allocation of Refund." TurboTax usually integrates this option during the "File" section when you choose direct deposit. You'll specify the amounts and bank details for each account.
How to confirm if my direct deposit was successful after filing with TurboTax?
The best way to confirm a successful direct deposit is to check your bank account directly. You can also use the IRS "Where's My Refund?" tool, which will indicate when your refund has been sent or deposited.
How to prevent direct deposit errors on TurboTax for future filings?
Always double-check and triple-check your routing and account numbers before filing. Have a voided check or your online banking information readily available to ensure complete accuracy when entering these details into TurboTax.
How to get help from TurboTax support for direct deposit issues?
For assistance with direct deposit specific to the TurboTax software, you can visit the TurboTax Help & Support website (