topic Is there a way to enter bank routing info on a return if you have no tax liability (no refund/no tax due)? in Get your taxes done using TurboTax

Is there a way to enter bank routing info on a return if you have no tax liability (no refund/no tax due)?

jwbMA — Tue, 05 Jan 2021 17:15:33 GMT

Is there a way to enter bank account routing info on a return even if you have no tax liability (no payments, no refunds)? The intent would be to inform the IRS of the bank info for future stimulus payments to be direct deposited. (Note, for the two stimulus payments so far, the IRS has issued the checks so quickly that there has been no chance to enter the bank info using the "Get My Payment" tool before the check is issued.)

Re: Is there a way to enter bank routing info on a return if you have no tax liability (no refund/no tax due)?

NCperson — Tue, 05 Jan 2021 17:22:46 GMT

by law, the IRS can only pick up the banking information if you have a refund coming... if you owe or have no liability, they aren't supposed to be maintaining it.

Re: Is there a way to enter bank routing info on a return if you have no tax liability (no refund/no tax due)?

Opus 17 — Tue, 05 Jan 2021 17:24:11 GMT

Not that I know of. The IRS had a web site for uploading your banking information for the first EIP, that closed in October some time. The second EIP can only be paid until January 15; after that the IRS stops issuing payments and you have to claim the rebate on your 2020 tax return. Any third payment is hypothetical and there is no way of knowing how the IRS will handle it.

Re: Is there a way to enter bank routing info on a return if you have no tax liability (no refund/no tax due)?

jwbMA — Tue, 05 Jan 2021 17:28:17 GMT

Thanks for your reply and that makes sense.

Re: Is there a way to enter bank routing info on a return if you have no tax liability (no refund/no tax due)?

jwbMA — Tue, 05 Jan 2021 17:35:38 GMT

In the situation I am referring to, there has been no opportunity to enter the bank info on the IRS Get My Payment site. As soon as the Get My Payment tool has become available, the check is already scheduled to be issued, and therefore there is no window to enter the bank info. Thanks for your replies.

Re: Is there a way to enter bank routing info on a return if you have no tax liability (no refund/no tax due)?

NCperson — Tue, 05 Jan 2021 17:54:38 GMT

@jwbMA - IRS is not permitting changes to banking information due to the risk of fraud; here is their FAQ:

Where did the IRS get my bank information, and what if I need to change it? (updated December 30, 2020)

Get My Payment will reflect the account information provided on your 2019 tax return, Non-Filer Registration, entered on Get My Payment before Dec. 22, 2020, or provided by a Federal Agency who issued benefits to you (Social Security Administration, Veteran Affairs, or Railroad Retirement Board).

Your payment information cannot be changed. If you don’t get a payment and you are eligible to receive one, it may be claimed on your 2020 tax return as the Recovery Rebate Credit.

My bank account information has changed or was incorrect. Can I update it using the tool? (updated December 30, 2020)

Your payment information cannot be changed. If you don’t get a payment and you are eligible to receive one, it may be claimed on your 2020 tax return as the Recovery Rebate Credit.