Got DDD for April 10 but my bank account is closed - how will I get my refund?

When your direct deposit is rejected by the bank, the IRS will automatically issue a paper check to the address on your tax return. But have you considered how long this process actually takes? The bank will reject the deposit within 1-2 business days, then the IRS has to process that rejection, print a check, and mail it to you. This typically adds 2-4 weeks to your wait time. Is there any chance you could call your old bank and see if they can temporarily reactivate your account? Some banks will do this as a courtesy, especially if you explain the situation.

I'm wondering if you might have received any notices from the IRS about this situation yet? Sometimes they'll send an email or letter indicating the deposit was rejected... I don't want to assume anything, but have you checked your mail carefully the past few days?

No, I haven't gotten any notices yet. Last time I had a problem with my taxes, it took forever to get any kind of notification. Back in 2022 when they had to fix an error on my return, I didn't get a letter until weeks after they made the change. I've been checking my mailbox obsessively though, just in case.

On March 15th last year, I had this exact same issue with my closed account. Called the IRS for three days straight starting on March 17th but couldn't get through. Finally used Claimyr (https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c) on March 20th and got connected to an agent in about 15 minutes. The agent confirmed my refund had been rejected by the bank and was being processed for a paper check. They were also able to verify my current address was correct in their system. Having that confirmation gave me peace of mind during the wait. The check arrived on April 5th - exactly when the agent predicted.

Have you verified that your current mailing address is correct on your tax return? According to the IRS.gov website, if your direct deposit is rejected, they automatically mail a paper check to the address listed on your most recent return. If you've moved since filing, you should submit Form 8822 (Change of Address) immediately.

FYI - the rejected DD process is pretty standard. Bank rejects the $ within 24-48 hrs, then it goes back to IRS. They'll auto-convert to paper check w/o you needing to do anything. BUT it does add time. My roommate dealt w/ this in Feb and it took ~3 wks from DDD to getting the check. Pro tip: sign up for informed delivery from USPS so you can see when the check is coming in your daily mail preview emails!

I successfully navigated this exact situation last month! My DDD was March 8th, bank rejected it on March 9th (closed account), and I received my paper check on March 29th. Unlike dealing with amended returns which can take 16+ weeks, this process is actually pretty efficient in comparison. Just make sure your address is current with the IRS. I was worried too, but the system worked exactly as designed.