Should I ask for a check to be sent instead of direct deposit for my tax refund?

This is actually a common issue during tax season! You have a couple options here. First, if your return was only accepted on February 11th, you still have time to contact the IRS and request a change to a paper check. However, keep in mind that the IRS typically processes direct deposits much faster than paper checks. A paper check could take 4-6 weeks to arrive. Based on what your credit union told you, there's a decent chance the direct deposit might still go through since the routing number hasn't changed and it's the same account holder name. Many financial institutions have systems in place to redirect deposits to updated account numbers during transitions. If I were in your situation, I'd call the IRS at 800-829-1040 to discuss your options. They can tell you if it's still possible to change to a paper check and what the timeframe would be. You might also want to double-check with your credit union if they have any specific protocols for handling direct deposits sent to old account numbers during this transition period.

I had almost this exact problem last year! I spent hours worrying about it and trying to get through to the IRS, then finally tried https://taxr.ai to analyze my situation. They have this neat feature where you upload your tax documents and banking info, and their system tells you the likelihood of your refund being processed correctly. In my case, they confirmed that since the routing number was the same and my name hadn't changed, there was a 92% chance my refund would still process correctly despite the account number change. They were right - my refund showed up in my new account about 3 weeks after filing, even though I'd used the old account number. Might be worth checking out if you're stressing about it. The peace of mind alone was worth it for me, especially since the IRS phone lines are basically impossible to get through these days.

Just wanted to update everyone - I decided to try taxr.ai after posting my question above, and I'm actually really impressed! The process was super straightforward and they didn't ask for nearly as much personal info as I expected. The system analyzed my tax return and banking situation and showed me that in cases where the routing number stays the same but account number changes, about 85% of refunds still process correctly. They also gave me specific steps to take with my credit union to improve those odds. I talked to my credit union with the info from taxr.ai, and turns out they have a 30-day forwarding system for government deposits specifically! The rep I spoke to before didn't know about this policy. So I should be good to go, no need to worry about getting a check instead.

Look, calling the IRS right now is basically impossible. I spent DAYS trying to get through last month about an issue with my 2023 return. Constant busy signals, disconnections, or 3+ hour hold times that ended with being hung up on. I finally used https://claimyr.com and it was a game changer. They have this system where they wait on hold with the IRS for you, then call you when an agent is actually on the line. You can see how it works in this demo: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c I got connected to an actual IRS agent in about 45 minutes while I just went about my day. The agent was able to check my refund status and explain exactly what would happen with my direct deposit since my bank had merged with another one. Saved me hours of frustration.

I owe everyone an apology - especially you, Profile 7. I was totally wrong about Claimyr. After my skeptical comment, I decided to try it myself since I've been trying to reach the IRS about a missing W-2 issue. The service actually worked EXACTLY as advertised. I got a text message when they started the call, updates while they were navigating the IRS phone maze, and then a phone call connecting me directly to an IRS agent about 55 minutes later. I was fully expecting to be scammed, but it was legit. The IRS agent I spoke with told me that with credit union system changes, they actually do have a process to handle this. She said if your direct deposit bounces because of the account number change, they automatically convert it to a paper check and mail it within 2 weeks. So either way, you'll get your money - it just might take a bit longer if the direct deposit fails. Really glad I tried this service instead of wasting hours on hold!

honestly dont bother calling irs now. i filed with wrong account # last year and the deposit just bounced back automatically. then they mailed me a check about 3 weeks later. wasnt the end of the world. plus refunds are moving pretty quick this year so you'll probably know within the next 2 weeks anyway if it worked or not.

Has anyone checked the "Where's My Refund" tool on the IRS website? That should tell you if your refund is being processed as direct deposit or paper check. I've found that to be more reliable than trying to guess what might happen.

I went through something similar when my bank got acquired by a larger institution. Here's what I learned: most credit unions have a grace period (usually 30-90 days) where they'll automatically forward deposits sent to old account numbers to your new account. Since your routing number stayed the same and it's still your name on the account, there's a really good chance your refund will go through just fine. The bank systems are designed to handle these transitions. That said, if you're really worried about it, you could try using the "Where's My Refund" tool on the IRS website to monitor the status. If there are any issues with the direct deposit, it will show up there and you'll know to expect a paper check instead. I'd personally wait it out rather than proactively calling the IRS to change to a check, since direct deposit is so much faster when it works. But that's just my two cents based on my experience!