Question:   What will happen if I enter an incorrect routing or account number?

Answer:   The IRS assumes no responsibility for tax preparer or taxpayer error.  Please, verify your account and routing numbers with your financial institution and double check the accuracy of the numbers you enter on your return prior to signing and submitting your return.

Be very careful; entering your account and routing numbers. The IRS will handle account or routing number errors on split refunds the same as for regular direct deposits.

For example, if:

• You omit a digit in the account or routing number of an account and the number does not pass the IRS's validation check, the IRS will send you a paper check for the entire refund;
• You incorrectly enter an account or routing number and your designated financial institution rejects and returns the deposit to the IRS, the IRS will issue a paper check for that portion of your refund; or
• You incorrectly enter an account or routing number that belongs to someone else and your designated financial institution accepts the deposit, you must work directly with the respective financial institution to recover your funds.

Solution

• Generally once the financial institution recovers the funds and returns them to the IRS, the IRS will send a paper check for that refund out to the address where the return was filed.
• After two weeks have passed with no results, file Form 3911, Taxpayer Statement Regarding Refund.