If you put the wrong routing number and the bank rejects the transaction they will send it back to the IRS. At that time, the IRS will send you a paper check instead. The entire process can take six to eight weeks. Please see the following IRS solutions to when you enter the incorrect banking information:
- If the return hasn't already posted to our system, you can ask us to stop the direct deposit. You may call us toll-free at 800-829-1040, M - F, 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.
- Generally, if the financial institution recovers the funds and returns them to the IRS, the IRS will send a paper refund check to your last known address on file with the IRS.
- If you have contacted the financial institution and two weeks have passed with no results, you will need to file Form 3911, Taxpayer Statement Regarding Refund, to initiate a trace. This allows the IRS to contact the bank on your behalf to attempt recovery of your refund. Banks are allowed up to 90 days from the date of the initial trace input to respond to our request for information.
- If funds aren't available or the bank refuses to return the funds, the IRS cannot compel the bank to do so. The case may then become a civil matter between you and the financial institution and/or the owner of the account into which the funds were deposited.
For additional information please click on this link: https://www.irs.gov/faqs/irs-procedures/refund-inquiries/refund-inquiries-18
