The IRS requires your bank account information, routing number, and account type on Form 4983 to deposit refunds directly to your bank

Form 4983 is the IRS worksheet you use to set up direct deposit for tax refunds. The form itself does not go to the IRS — it stays with your tax preparer or in your records — but it tells the IRS where to send your money. You need a U.S. bank account, credit union account, or brokerage account in your name or jointly with a spouse. The IRS will not deposit to accounts held in someone else's name only, and they will not use savings bonds, prepaid cards, or foreign accounts.

The actual requirement is straightforward: you provide your routing number (a nine-digit code that identifies your bank) and your account number (usually 10 to 12 digits). You also tell the IRS whether it is a checking or savings account. That is the complete list. If any of this information is wrong, the IRS will reject the deposit and mail you a check instead, which takes longer.

Key Takeaways

  • Form 4983 requires your routing number, account number, and account type — checking or savings — all of which you can find on a blank check or your bank's website.
  • The account must be in your name alone or jointly with your spouse; the IRS will not deposit to an account held only in someone else's name.
  • If your routing or account number is incorrect, the IRS will mail a check instead of depositing the refund, adding weeks to the process.
  • You can use a bank account, credit union account, or brokerage account, but not prepaid cards, savings bonds, or accounts outside the United States.

Where to find your routing and account numbers

Your routing number appears on the bottom left of any check from your account — it is the first set of nine digits. If you do not have checks, log into your bank's website or mobile app and look for account details or account information. Most banks display the routing number there. You can also call your bank's customer service line and ask for your routing number; they will give it to you in seconds.

Your account number is on the bottom of your checks as well, printed after the routing number. It is usually 10 to 12 digits long. If you do not have checks, your bank's website or app will show it under account details. Write both numbers down carefully — a single digit wrong means the deposit fails.

Account type: checking versus savings

Form 4983 asks you to mark whether the account is checking or savings. This matters because the IRS uses different processing codes for each type, and if you mark the wrong box, the deposit may be rejected. Most people use checking accounts for direct deposit because they access the money right away, but savings accounts work too.

If you have both types of accounts at the same bank, make sure you are using the routing number and account number for the account you actually want the refund in. A common mistake is writing down the routing number correctly but the account number from a different account — the deposit then goes to the wrong place.

Joint accounts and accounts with a spouse

You can use a joint account if your name and your spouse's name are both on it. The IRS accepts this because both of you have legal claim to the money. However, if the account is in your spouse's name only, the IRS will not deposit to it. The rule exists because the IRS needs to know the account owner has the right to receive the refund.

If you are married and file jointly, you can direct your combined refund to either spouse's individual account or to a joint account. If you file separately, each of you must use an account in your own name or a joint account you both own.

What happens if your direct deposit information is wrong

If you submit Form 4983 with an incorrect routing number or account number, the IRS will attempt the deposit. When the bank rejects it (usually within one to three business days), the IRS stops and mails you a paper check instead. This adds 7 to 10 business days to the time you receive your refund. You will not be notified that the deposit failed — you will simply notice the check arriving in the mail.

If this happens, you cannot ask the IRS to try the deposit again. You have to wait for the check. To avoid this, double-check both numbers against a recent bank statement or your bank's website before you submit your tax return.

Prepaid cards and other account types the IRS will not accept

The IRS will not deposit refunds to prepaid debit cards, even if they have routing and account numbers. They also will not use savings bonds, money market accounts at non-bank institutions, or any account outside the United States. If you try to submit Form 4983 with a prepaid card number, the deposit will fail and you will receive a check instead.

If you do not have a traditional bank or credit union account, you have two options: open one before you file your return, or request a paper check. Many banks and credit unions offer free checking accounts with no minimum balance, and you can open one online in minutes.

Updating your direct deposit information if you change banks

If you change banks between tax years, you need to update your routing and account numbers on your next tax return. The IRS does not carry over direct deposit information from year to year — each return is treated separately. When you file next year, use your new bank's routing and account numbers on Form 4983.

If you change banks after you have already filed but before your refund is deposited, contact the IRS as soon as possible. Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and tell them your refund has not been deposited yet. They may be able to stop the deposit and redirect it, but this only works if they have not already sent it to your old account. If the deposit went to a closed account, your old bank will return it to the IRS, and they will mail you a check.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use someone else's bank account to receive my refund?

No. The IRS requires the account to be in your name or jointly with your spouse. If you try to use someone else's account, the deposit will be rejected and you will receive a check instead. If you need help with banking, many credit unions and community banks offer accounts with no fees.

What if I do not know my routing number?

Check a blank check from your account — the routing number is the first nine digits on the bottom left. You can also log into your bank's website, call customer service, or visit your bank in person. They will give you the number in seconds.

Does Form 4983 go to the IRS or to my tax preparer?

Form 4983 stays with your tax preparer or in your records — you do not mail it to the IRS. Your preparer uses the information from the form to fill in the direct deposit details on your actual tax return (Form 1040), which is what goes to the IRS.

What if my refund was rejected and I got a check instead?

You cannot ask the IRS to try the deposit again. You have to cash or deposit the check. For next year's refund, make sure your routing and account numbers are correct before you file.

Can I split my refund between two accounts using Form 4983?

No. Form 4983 allows you to direct your entire refund to one account only. If you want to split a refund between accounts, you would need to deposit the full refund to one account and then transfer money to the other yourself.