I was part of a water protector gathering against The Dakota access pipeline and without thing twice I closed my wells Fargo account. How can I change my direct deposit?

[jerrmie]

How can I change to a live check refund?

[GeoffreyG · Accepted solution]

Unfortunately, once you've filed, there is no way to change any information on your original tax return, including the banking account you selected to receive your income tax refund (e.g.., savings or checking).  All you could do is "amend" your original return by filing a second (amended) tax return; but that wouldn't change the refund method selected on the original.

Please keep in mind this is not a TurboTax limitation or a technological flaw of some kind.  It simply cannot be done, and is just the tax filing process working as designed.

In fact, it is as much a feature of the government / industry security procedures surrounding the e-file process as anything else.  The analogy to be made here is very much like dropping a sealed letter into a locked mailbox.  Once the document goes it, it cannot come back out, and you cannot change anything that is printed on it.

That said, the IRS (and your state department of revenue, if applicable) will attempt to direct deposit your refund(s) electronically, as you originally requested.  But, since you've closed your bank account, what will happen is that the electronic funds transfer will come right back to the IRS (or your state dept. of revenue) as a "failed" transaction.  When this happens, the IRS (and state) will automatically default to mailing the taxpayer (you) a paper refund check at the home address you indicated on your tax return, as filed.

This process should all happen automatically, and so you really don't need to do anything at the moment except wait.  You may, though, want to monitor the IRS's website "Where's My Refund" to see where your federal tax return is at in the processing system (your state, if applicable, probably has a similar website).

https://www.irs.gov/refunds

When that government website indicates that your tax return has been fully processed, and your refund released, you'll want to see your check(s) arrive in the mail.  If you don't receive your paper check(s) by mail within probably (2) weeks or so after your tax return has finished processing, then you probably will want to call the IRS and either confirm or discuss your circumstances with them.  If they have to cancel one form of attempted payment and pay your refund by another method, they will.

Thank you for asking this timely question.