What if I entered the wrong bank account for my direct deposit?

Once you submit your return, you won’t be able to edit account or routing information for your direct deposit. If you discover that you’ve made an error, you’ll want to contact the IRS before your refund is processed by calling them at 800-829-1040 between 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM, Monday through Friday.

It’s best to call them as soon as you notice an error. If you’re unable to do so, a few things might happen: 

• If the information you’ve entered can’t be validated by the IRS, you’ll receive a paper check in the mail.
  
• If the information you’ve entered is validated, but the bank or financial institution rejects the deposit, the funds will be returned to the IRS, and they’ll in turn issue you a paper check in the mail.
  
• If the information you’ve entered is validated, and the account belongs to someone else, it’s possible that the bank or financial institution will accept the deposit. In this situation, you may need to work with the financial institution or account owner yourself. 

If your refund has been accepted by another bank, and you’re unable to resolve the situation, you can file a Form 3911, Taxpayer Statement Regarding Refund which will allow the IRS to attempt recovery of your refund. 

Keep in mind that the IRS can’t compel the return of your refund, so it may be up to you to determine next steps with regards to pursuing action against the bank or account owner.