I had prepared tax returns and I had put in for direct deposit into a checking account which belongs to my uncle and I thought I was on it but had returned the funds

[MichaelMc · Accepted solution]

As you have now learned, that cannot be done, as you do not have legal control over the account and could be prevented from accessing your funds.

The name on the tax return must match the name on the bank account into which a refund is to be direct deposited. An individual's refund can be deposited into a joint account if the taxpayer's name is one of the owners of the joint account.

Rejected direct deposits generally result in the IRS issuing the refund as a paper check and mailing it to the taxpayer at the address provided on the tax return. If you have moved since filing, your should file a IRS Form 8822 Change of Address at once.