To set up direct deposit, you need three core pieces of information: your bank routing number, your account number, and the type of account (checking or savings). Most employers or payers will also ask you to fill out an authorization form and provide some way to verify your account details, like a voided check or a bank letter. Here’s everything you need to gather before you start.
Bank Account Information
Every direct deposit setup requires the same basic data, whether you’re enrolling through an employer, setting up a government payment, or receiving funds from a freelance client.
- Routing number: A nine-digit number that identifies your bank or credit union. It’s sometimes called a “bank transit routing number.” If you enter this incorrectly, your deposit will be returned.
- Account number: The number tied to your specific checking or savings account. This is different from your debit card number.
- Account type: You’ll need to specify whether the deposit should go to a checking account or a savings account.
- Bank name and address: Some forms ask for the full name of your financial institution and its branch address, though not all do.
If you’re splitting your paycheck between multiple accounts (retirement savings and everyday spending, for example), you’ll need routing and account numbers for each one, along with the dollar amount or percentage you want directed to each.
How to Find Your Routing and Account Numbers
The most traditional method is a voided check. Your routing number is the first set of digits on the bottom left, your account number is the next set, and the check number is the short sequence on the far right. You write “VOID” across the face of the check so it can’t be cashed, then hand it to your employer or attach it to the form.
If you don’t have a checkbook, you have several alternatives. Most banks and credit unions display your routing and account numbers when you log in to online or mobile banking. Some financial institutions even let you generate a prefilled direct deposit form directly from their app or website, which saves a step. You can also call your bank, and a representative will give you both numbers after verifying your identity.
A few other options that employers commonly accept:
- Direct deposit verification letter: Your bank can print or email a letter confirming your name, account number, and routing number. This is sometimes called a “bank letter” or “account verification letter.”
- Bank statement header: The top of a recent statement typically shows your account number and the institution’s routing number, though not every employer will accept this as verification.
The Authorization Form
Your employer or payer will provide a direct deposit authorization form. This is a simple document where you fill in your banking details and give written permission for deposits to be made into your account. Some companies handle this through an online payroll portal where you enter the information yourself. Others use a paper form you fill out and return to HR or payroll.
The form typically asks for your full name, Social Security number or employee ID, bank name, routing number, account number, account type, and your signature. If you’re splitting deposits across accounts, there will be fields for each one along with the allocation amounts.
Keep a copy of whatever you submit. If a deposit goes to the wrong place because of a typo, having your original paperwork makes it easier to trace and correct the problem.
Direct Deposit for Tax Refunds
If you’re setting up direct deposit for an IRS tax refund rather than a paycheck, the process is slightly different. You provide your banking information directly on your tax return (or through your tax software) when you file. The IRS asks for your routing number, account number, and account type. There’s no separate authorization form.
The IRS allows you to split a refund across up to three accounts by filing Form 8888 with your return. Double-check your bank details before submitting, because the IRS won’t correct a misrouted refund caused by incorrect account information. Providing accurate, current bank or prepaid debit card details is the single most important step for getting your refund deposited smoothly.
Prepaid Cards and Non-Bank Options
You don’t need a traditional bank account to use direct deposit. Many prepaid debit cards come with a routing number and account number that work for direct deposit. If you use one of these cards, the issuer will provide the numbers through their app or website, and you enter them on the authorization form the same way you would for a bank account.
Some digital payment platforms and online-only banks also support direct deposit. The setup process is identical: find the routing number and account number in your app, then provide them to your employer or payer.
How Long Setup Takes
Once you submit your information, most employers need one to two pay cycles to activate direct deposit. During that transition period, you may still receive a paper check. Some companies run a small test deposit (often a few cents) to verify the account before sending your full paycheck. Government payments like tax refunds are typically deposited within 21 days of the IRS accepting your return, assuming you filed electronically.
If your deposit is ever returned because of a closed account or invalid routing number, your employer or the government agency will usually reissue the payment as a paper check. Update your banking information with payroll as soon as you change banks to avoid delays.