get your refund your way

You have several ways to receive your federal income tax refund. You can:

Direct deposit your refund into a single checking account
Split your direct deposit between two or three accounts
Receive your refund in a paper check
Buy up to $5,000 in U.S. Series I Savings Bonds

Direct Deposit Your Refund to a Single Checking or Savings Account

If you want to deposit your refund to just one account, put the information directly on your tax return. You don't need an extra form. It's safe, fast and convenient.

Split Your Direct Deposit Between Two or Three Accounts

Split your direct deposit refund into two or three accounts with up to three different U.S. financial institutions. You can put some into your checking account, some in your savings account, or some in other accounts, such as an individual retirement arrangement or IRA. Use the Form 8888, Allocation of Refund (Including Savings Bond Purchase) to split your refund. See Frequently Asked Questions about Splitting Federal Income Tax Returns for more information.

There are Limits on the Number of Direct Deposits to the Same Account

To fight fraud and identity theft, new IRS procedures effective January 2015 limit the number of refunds electronically deposited into a single financial account or pre-paid debit card to three. Direct deposits must be made to an account with your name on it. This new limitation protects you from preparers who collect tax preparation fees by depositing your refund into their own accounts. Also, preparers can't use the Form 8888 to deposit any part of your refund into their own account or a joint account with you.

The fourth and subsequent refunds will convert automatically to a paper refund check and be mailed. Read more about Direct Deposit Limits here.

Receive Your Refund in a Paper Check

You can still choose to have a paper refund check mailed to you.

Buy up to $5,000 in U.S. Series I Savings Bonds

You can use part or all your refund to buy U.S. Series I Savings Bonds and you can choose to direct deposit or receive a check in the mail for any unused portion of your refund.
Use the Form 8888 to tell the IRS you want to buy U.S. savings bonds. See Using Your Income Tax Refund to Save by Buying U.S. Savings Bonds for more information.

Include the EITC Logo on Your Fact Sheet

Add the EITC logo with the "Life's Easier with EITC" tag line to your fact sheet. See our EITC Logo Guidelines to ensure you are using the logo properly and for directions on including.

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