You have several options for receiving your federal income tax refund. You can: Split your refund with direct deposits into two or three checking or savings accounts Direct deposit your refund into one checking or savings account Receive your refund as a paper check in the mail Buy up to $5,000 in U.S. Series I Savings Bonds with your refund Splitting your refund is easy. Use IRS’ Form 8888, Allocation of Refund (Including Savings Bond Purchases). Just follow the instructions on the form. If you want IRS to deposit your refund into just one account, use the direct deposit line on your tax form. With split refunds, you have a convenient option for managing your money — sending some of your refund to an account for immediate use and some for future savings — teamed with the speed and safety of direct deposit. Whether you file electronically or on paper, direct deposit gives you access to your refund faster than a paper check. Direct deposit also avoids the possibility that your check could be lost or stolen or returned to IRS as undeliverable. Speed, safety and choice — with direct deposit you can have it all.
