Gave IRS wrong routing number for tax refund - how to fix this mess?
I'm freaking out right now. I just filed both my state and federal tax returns a couple weeks ago and everything seemed to be going fine. My tax refund was approved pretty quickly, but I realized I screwed up big time. My bank has two different routing numbers - one for paper/electronic transfers and another for wire transfers. Like an idiot, I entered the wire transfer routing number on my tax forms instead of the regular electronic one. I checked the Tax Refund website by IRS and it shows they've already sent the money to my bank. When I called my bank in a panic, they told me they haven't received anything and can't do anything on their end since I used the wrong routing number. Apparently I was supposed to use the paper/electronic routing number. I'm seriously worried I've lost my refund. It's over $1,300 and I desperately need that money for some medical bills coming up. I've tried finding a customer service number for the IRS but their phone system is a nightmare and I can't seem to get through to an actual human. Has anyone dealt with this before? Any advice on how to fix this routing number mistake? I'm getting really desperate here.
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Emma Davis
This happens more often than you'd think! Don't panic just yet. When the IRS sends a direct deposit to an incorrect routing number, the bank will reject the deposit and send it back to the IRS automatically. Once this happens, the IRS will typically issue you a paper check instead, which will be mailed to the address on your tax return. The process usually takes 2-3 weeks after the initial deposit attempt fails. You can keep checking the "Where's My Refund" tool on the IRS website, as it should update when this happens. If it's been more than 3 weeks since the IRS says they sent the deposit, you should try contacting them. Getting through to the IRS can be challenging, but try calling early in the morning (right when they open) or later in the afternoon. The general IRS customer service number is 800-829-1040. Be prepared to wait, but it's worth getting this resolved.
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Javier Torres
•Thank you so much for this info! I've been checking the Where's My Refund tool daily and it still says deposited, but it's only been about 10 days. So there's hope that it'll get returned and they'll just mail me a check instead? That would be amazing. Do you have any idea how long it typically takes for the status to change from "deposited" to whatever it changes to when they decide to mail a check? I just don't want to miss anything important.
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Emma Davis
•The status typically changes from "deposited" to "check mailed" within 10-14 days after the failed deposit attempt. Since you're at about 10 days now, you might see that update very soon. If you don't see a status change by the 3-week mark, that's when I'd definitely recommend calling. Sometimes the system takes a bit longer to update during busy filing periods, so don't lose hope if it takes a bit longer than expected.
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CosmicCaptain
I went through almost exactly this same situation last year and nearly lost my mind with stress! After spending hours trying to get through to someone at the IRS, I found this service called taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) that helped me figure out my options and documents needed to correct my routing number mistake. The tool analyzed my situation and gave me a personalized guide on exactly what forms to file and how to approach the IRS about the incorrect routing number. It even had a template letter I could use to explain my situation. Saved me tons of research time and frustration. They have a really helpful feature that lets you upload your tax documents and it tells you exactly what steps to take next.
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Malik Johnson
•Wait, this sounds interesting. Can it actually help track my refund status too? I'm in a similar situation but with a closed bank account (my fault for not updating). Did you have to provide your full tax return to the service?
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Isabella Ferreira
•I'm skeptical of these tax services. How does it actually work with sorting out banking info that's already been submitted? Do they have some special connection with the IRS that the rest of us don't have?
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CosmicCaptain
•It can definitely help track refund status - it integrates with the IRS Where's My Refund system but makes it easier to understand what's happening and what to do next. You don't need to provide your full return, just enough info for it to understand your specific issue. The service doesn't have special connections to the IRS, but what makes it valuable is that it interprets the convoluted IRS rules and procedures into plain English. It basically gives you a personalized roadmap of forms, deadlines and specific actions for your situation. In my case, it saved me from filing an unnecessary amended return when there was a simpler solution.
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Isabella Ferreira
I was super skeptical about using any kind of tax service after my routing number disaster (just like OP's situation but with Wells Fargo). After struggling for weeks, I finally tried taxr.ai that someone mentioned earlier. I honestly expected it to be useless, but it actually guided me through the exact process I needed to follow. The best part was that it told me exactly which IRS form to fill out for my specific situation AND created a cover letter explaining the routing number mistake. Within 3 weeks of submitting the paperwork they recommended, I got a paper check in the mail. Way faster than I expected after all the horror stories I'd heard. Before finding this tool I was ready to give up on ever seeing my $2400 refund. Just wanted to share since I was in the exact same boat as you a couple months ago!
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Ravi Sharma
After dealing with the same wrong routing number nightmare last year, I discovered a service called Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) that saved me weeks of frustration. Instead of calling the IRS and waiting on hold for hours, Claimyr holds your place in line and calls you when an actual IRS agent is on the line ready to talk. I was super skeptical at first but checked out their video demo (https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c) and decided to try it. I was shocked when I got a call back with an actual IRS representative on the line who helped me sort out my routing number issue. The IRS agent confirmed my refund had been rejected by the bank and was able to update my information right on the call.
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Freya Thomsen
•How does this actually work? Does it just auto-dial the IRS for you? I'm confused how they can get you to the front of the line when the IRS phones are always jammed.
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Omar Zaki
•Yeah right. Nothing gets through to the IRS. I've been trying for MONTHS to fix my routing number issue. Either this is fake or they're doing something shady. There's no way to "skip the line" with government agencies.
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Ravi Sharma
•It doesn't auto-dial - they use a system that continuously redials and navigates the IRS phone tree until it connects with a human agent. Once they have an agent on the line, they call you and connect you. It's basically like having someone else do the calling and waiting for you. They don't actually "skip" the line - they just handle the frustrating part of sitting on hold forever. The service follows all the normal IRS procedures, they just automate the waiting process so you don't have to be the one listening to that terrible hold music for hours. I was really skeptical too until I got that call back with an actual IRS person ready to help.
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Omar Zaki
Well, I need to eat my words. After posting that skeptical comment earlier, I was desperate enough to try Claimyr since nothing else was working. I was 100% convinced it was a scam or wouldn't work for my routing number issue. Shockingly, I got a call back in about 1.5 hours with an actual IRS agent on the line. The agent confirmed that my refund had been rejected by the bank due to the incorrect routing number and was being processed for a paper check. They also updated my banking information in their system for future refunds. I've been trying to get this information for literally 2 months with no luck. Would have saved myself a ton of stress if I'd known about this sooner. Just wanted to update since I was wrong about this service.
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AstroAce
Have you tried visiting your local IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center in person? I had a similar issue last year and finally got it resolved by making an appointment and bringing all my documentation. You can schedule an appointment by calling 844-545-5640. Just make sure to bring your ID, social security card, and any tax documents you have. The in-person help was actually really good compared to the phone nightmare.
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Javier Torres
•I hadn't even considered going in person - that's a great idea! Is it hard to get an appointment? And do you think they'd be able to just update my routing info right there, or would they still have to process it and send a check?
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AstroAce
•Getting an appointment isn't too difficult - I called and got one for the following week. When you call that appointment number, it's usually much easier to get through than the regular IRS line. At the appointment, they likely won't be able to update your routing info immediately since the deposit was already sent, but they can verify whether it was rejected and is being processed for a paper check. In my case, they were able to give me an expected timeline and make notes in my file. It was helpful just to get confirmation about what was happening instead of wondering and stressing about it.
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Chloe Martin
Quick question - does anyone know if you can update your direct deposit info on the Where's My Refund tool? I'm thinking about filing my taxes this weekend and want to avoid this same problem.
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Diego Rojas
•Unfortunately no, you can't update your direct deposit info through the Where's My Refund tool. Once your return is filed, the banking info is locked in. Double-check your routing and account numbers super carefully before submitting! I always make it a habit to look at my check or online banking details right when I'm entering this info.
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Zainab Ibrahim
I went through this exact same situation two years ago with Chase Bank - used their wire routing number instead of the ACH routing number for my tax refund. The good news is that your money isn't lost! Here's what happened in my case: The bank rejected the deposit after about 5-7 business days, and the IRS automatically reissued it as a paper check. The whole process took about 3 weeks from when the IRS first attempted the deposit. The "Where's My Refund" tool eventually updated to show "Your refund will be mailed as a check" instead of showing it as deposited. One tip that helped me was checking with my bank every few days to see if they had received and rejected anything - sometimes they can see attempted deposits in their system even before they officially bounce back to the IRS. Also, make sure your mailing address is current with the IRS since they'll be sending that paper check! Try not to stress too much - this is actually a pretty common mistake and the IRS has systems in place to handle it. Your $1,300 will find its way to you, it's just going to take a bit longer than expected.
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Jabari-Jo
•This is really reassuring to hear from someone who went through the exact same thing! I'm dealing with Chase too and made the same wire vs ACH routing number mistake. It's been about 12 days since the IRS said they deposited it, so I'm hoping to see that status change soon. Did Chase give you any kind of confirmation or reference number when they rejected the deposit? I've called them a couple times and they keep saying they don't see anything, but maybe I need to be more specific about what to ask for. Really appreciate you sharing your timeline - it helps calm my nerves knowing there's light at the end of this tunnel!
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