Changing bank account details on tax return

[TahaMert]

The bank account I provided while filing my tax return through TurboTax has been closed because it had a zero balance. Can I update my bank account information to receive my refund?

[MinhT1]

No. If you have already filed your tax return, you cannot change your bank information for your tax refund. 

If the account is closed, the bank will reject the payment and the IRS will then send a paper check to the address on your tax return.

[mesquitebean]

New this year:

If the bank rejects the payment and sends it back to the IRS, then be aware of a new IRS feature that started this year.   Because of a recent Executive Order, the IRS is trying to avoid issuing paper checks and phasing them out whenever possible.

Starting this year, if a bank sends the refund back to the IRS, a paper check may not automatically be sent.   Instead, it's possible that the refund would be frozen up to 30 days, and the IRS may give you a chance to correct it within that 30 days by using your Online IRS account (or establishing one) to update the deposit information.   The IRS may send you a letter called a CP53E notice.  It may take a couple of weeks to arrive after the initial deposit was returned to the IRS.

IRS:  Understanding your CP53E notice

https://www.irs.gov/individuals/understanding-your-cp53e-notice

If the update in the Online IRS Account is unsuccessful, or if you don't respond to the CP53E notice to update it, the IRS says it will ultimately issue the paper check after 6 weeks have gone by.   There are FAQs about the process on that IRS page I linked above.

[deerjohn72]

I am sure I clicked paper check on my return but received a Notice CP53E and I have never given my bank account number 

[mesquitebean]

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@ deerjohn72 wrote:

I am sure I clicked paper check on my return but received a Notice CP53E and I have never given my bank account number 

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That CP53E letter is a new one this year.  People also need to be sure it is legitimate since I imagine scams will be designed around it at some point.   If you decide to do so, don't provide any bank numbers except at inside your IRS online account.   You can also phone the IRS about your notice.  

As for your situation of expecting a check, perhaps they sent the CP53E due to the IRS starting to phase out paper checks as mandated.   Maybe they are trying to avoid paper checks whenever they can and giving you a second chance to still use direct deposit if you want to before they resort to having to issue a paper check.  If a bank account is not provided in response to the CP53E letter, the FAQ at the IRS website that they will ultimately send a check after 6 weeks.   Is there a special phone number shown on your CP53E?   If so, you can phone the IRS and ask them any questions about it.  

Or IRS customer support:  IRS: 800-829-1040 (7AM-7 PM local time) Monday-Friday

If you want to verify what you actually chose for your refund method, we can tell you how to get a copy of your return and look at the Tax Return Summary page and the Filing Instructions page.  Did you prepare your return in Online TurboTax or desktop software?