IRS Notice CP35E: What It Means and What to Do Next
Notice CP35E is issued when the IRS has a refund to distribute, but it cannot send it by direct deposit. This typically occurs when no bank account information is on file or the information provided is incorrect. The notice requests that you update your direct deposit information so the IRS can issue your refund.
The IRS’s automated system appears to have issued some of these notices in error. If you owed the IRS money for 2025 and received this notice, it may have been sent to you by mistake. If you believe the notice was issued in error, you can disregard it; however, you should still retain a copy for your records.
Why You Received CP53E
CP53E is issued when the IRS cannot complete a direct deposit of a refund. This can be due to:
- Direct-deposit information was not provided
- Bank account or routing information was invalid
- The bank rejected the deposit
- The IRS issued a correction that resulted in a refund, and the refund delivery details need to be updated
What To Do When You Receive CP53E
When you receive this notice, you need to respond within about 30 days from the notice date.
The IRS typically expects you to resolve this issue through your IRS Online Account.
Updating your information using your IRS Online Account
To respond through your account:
- Click here and sign into your IRS Online Account
- Go to “Notices and Letters” and find the CP53E related notification
- Add or update your banking information for direct deposit
If You Do Not Have an IRS Online Account
If you do not have an account but you would like to set one up, click here.
If you are unable to create an Online Account (or prefer not to), you may take no action. In this case, the IRS will issue you a refund by paper check, but this will delay your refund.
Security and Scam Awareness
Since CP53E involves refund delivery, it can be a common target for scams. To be safe, keep these points in mind:
- The IRS will never ask you to provide them with bank information by phone, email, or text in response to this notice
- The phone number on the notice for CP53E is typically recorded information only and does not collect bank details
- Always sign into your Online Account from irs.gov, not from a link or QR code you don’t trust
FAQs
Does CP53E mean I’m in trouble?
Usually, no. CP53E most often means the IRS needs valid information to deliver a refund (or it needs you to choose a refund-delivery option).
How long will it take to get paid if I update my bank information?
Timing can vary. Updating your information promptly through your IRS Online Account is usually the fastest way to resolve the direct-deposit issue, but the IRS does not usually provide an exact timeline in the notice.
How long will it take if I do nothing and wait for a check?
If you take no action, the IRS generally indicates it will issue a paper check after about 6 weeks, assuming no other issues delay the refund.
For more information, click here to access the IRS’s page about Notice CP53E.
