How to change bank account with IRS

Changing bank account information with the Internal Revenue Service is easier than ever. Whether you’re changing your bank account with the IRS for receiving another stimulus check although it’s not for certain yet, or your next tax refund, it doesn’t take much of a hassle. The Internal Revenue Service will send your payment to the bank account in their database. 

There are several ways to change your bank account information with the IRS. If you’re changing your bank account due to a change in accounts to receive your upcoming tax refund, know that filing a federal income tax return with the new bank account information on it is enough. However, you still can change your bank account with the IRS after filing your tax refund. For that, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. The IRS representatives are available between 7 AM and 7 PM, Monday through Friday. You’ll need to verify your identity when speaking to an IRS representative and calling using the registered phone number is a good step to start this. 

IRS Bank Account Information Update Tool

When the first and second stimulus checks were rolling out, the IRS had the non-filers tool where taxpayers could update their bank account information. Although this was a tool that was mostly designed for nonfilers to give their bank account information to the Internal Revenue Service, it was also used by those that needed to update it with the agency. 

Since we’re not expecting another stimulus check as the COVID-19 pandemic is slowly ending, the tool isn’t there anymore. As a nonfiler that wants to update bank account information with the IRS, what you need to do is file a federal income tax return. This is the only way you can update your payment information with the IRS, even if you’re not required to file a tax return.

How long does it take to update bank account with the IRS?

After submitting your new bank account information, the new bank account will be on the IRS database immediately. However, if your refund was sent to the previous account, you’ll receive it in that account. But, if the account is closed, the funds will be returned back to the IRS, and that’s when you may need to contact the agency to ask them to forward back the funds to the updated bank account. 

Because receiving your refund or other funds can take time, we highly suggest updating your bank account information with the IRS prior to filing your federal income tax return. If sudden events make you change your bank account after filing your federal income tax return, contact the IRS via phone and it will be sorted out even if the refund is already sent.