IRS Notice CP53 Minor Child

[Michael16]

I received an IRS Notice CP53E (unable to direct deposit their 2025 Form 1040 refund) for my minor child. I wasn't expecting a refund from the IRS (when I submitted my child's taxes, they owed taxes which were debited by the IRS earlier this month).

According to the IRS, you can only add/update/change bank account information online through an Individual IRS account and they no longer send check/paper refunds. Because my child is a minor, however, I am unable to create an individual IRS account to add or update bank account information. I tried calling the number on the letter 866-325-4066, but there's no option to speak to a representative about the matter.

I need to understand why my child is receiving a refund and how to add/amend bank account information without an individual IRS online account. Any suggestions?

[MonikaK1]

IRS Notice CP53E is typically being sent to taxpayers who are expecting a refund, though it also gives taxpayers an opportunity to update their bank information. Contact the IRS directly with any concerns about the letter with regard to your minor child.

When you receive an IRS CP53E notice, you have 30 days to update or add a new bank account. 

Steps to complete:

1. Access or establish your online account by visiting your account to add or update your bank account information.
2. Upon successfully completing the process, allow 2-5 days for your refund information to update online, use the Where’s My Refund tool to check your refund status.
3. If you encounter any systemic issues that prevent you from updating your bank account information, read the message carefully and try again later.

Executive Order 14247 (signed March 25, 2026) led to changes in the direct deposit options you now have available. The U.S. Department of the Treasury, in coordination with the Internal Revenue Service and other federal agencies, is advancing the transition to fully electronic federal payments. 

This policy shift includes phase out of paper tax refund checks beginning Sept. 30, 2025, to the extent permitted by law.  The new direct deposit change will allow individual taxpayers to provide us with a new or updated bank account to receive their tax refund via direct deposit if certain conditions are met. 

[Michael16]

The issue I'm having is two-fold:

1) I am unable to establish an online account for my minor child (you must be 18 or older to create an individual online account per the IRS here: https://www.irs.gov/help/creating-an-account-for-irsgov)

2) I was not expecting a refund so I don't know how to check on the status of the refund using the Refund Tracker tool as I do not know the refund amount

I also tried calling the number provided on the IRS notice [phone number removed]) but it gives me only the option of creating an online account to update bank account information (see item #1 above). I don't see another workaround to getting this refund processed for my child.

[mesquitebean · Accepted solution]

This is strictly a guess, of course, but maybe when the IRS processed the return, they determined the original tax due was overpaid, so they adjusted it, resulting in some refund.   You won't be able to use the IRS "Where's My Refund" tool since it normally uses the Line 35a amount.  However, if you want to try something, since the return had originally an amount due, try entering $1 in the tool.  The tool does recognize my own tax-due return when I enter $1.

With those CP53E letters, the IRS places a freeze on the refund until the filer has a chance to respond.  A FAQ on the IRS website says that if no response in 30 days, then after 6 weeks the IRS will ultimately mail a check to the address on the return.   

      Did the letter tell you the amount of the refund?   I'd hate to go through all that and then it turn out to be some small figure like $12 or whatever.   I guess one option would be just to wait 6 weeks or so for a check.  You can phone the IRS by another method for assistance and to find out why this happened in the first place..

If you can't get a live person at the IRS using the phone number in the letter, here's the main customer service number at the IRS.  If a robot tries to triage, keep saying something like "speak to an agent about my account."

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

[Michael16]

I was able to finally get a hold of an agent by a roundabout phone tree. The notice is system generated and the agent said to disregard if I was not expecting a refund. Furthermore, if a refund was actually owed and bank account information was not provided in 30 days, a paper check would be mailed (again I don't believe my child is owed a refund).

The $1 workaround for the refund tracker is a good tip. Thanks.

[mesquitebean]

You're welcome.  I'm glad you were able to get some information from the IRS.  Good luck.