# Form 8888

URL: https://pdf.net/pdf-forms/tax-forms/form-8888
Category: Tax Forms
Attributes: Trusted by lawyers

Form 8888 is used to split a direct deposit of your tax refund across multiple accounts, either at a bank or a different financial institution.

## Versions

- 2025 — [download PDF](https://cdn.sanity.io/files/i16te7yp/production/049e0220207bde5e3a42221febde1ca17a286ea3.pdf)

## How to Fill Out a Form 8888

Step 1: Open Form 8888 in our PDF editor.

Step 2: Enter your name and social security number.

Step 3: Add the amounts to be deposited in each account, along with the account number and routing number, according to the Form 8888 instructions.

Step 4: Sum up the amounts allocated to each account. The final number must match the amount on your income tax return.

Step 5: Attach the document to Form 1040.

Step 6: Submit the package to the IRS.

## Facts

### What Is IRS Form 8888 Used For?

IRS Form 8888 is used to request a direct deposit of your tax refund to two or three accounts at a bank or a different financial institution (mutual fund, credit union, or brokerage firm). This is done for added convenience and to save tax dollars.

### Who Should Use Form 8888?

Individuals who wish to split their federal tax refund across two or three accounts should use Form 8888. Essentially, anyone receiving a tax refund can do it, but there are some limitations; namely, you can’t file this form if you’ve already filed Form 8379, the Injured Spouse Allocation, and the accounts must be in your name.

### When Is the Form 8888 Due?

Form 8888 is submitted along with Form 1040, the U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, so it must be filed by 15th April. This isn’t a recurring form, though; you complete it only for the tax years when you want to split your tax refund across multiple accounts.

### Are There Penalties for Not Filing Form 8888?

There are no penalties for not filing Form 8888; it’s entirely up to you if you want to split your tax refund across multiple accounts. If you don’t file it, you’ll still receive the refund, but it will be sent either to one account or as a paper check.

### How and Where Do I File Form 8888?

You should file Form 8888 with the IRS by attaching it to Form 1040 and submitting the package either by mail or electronically. You’ll find both the paper submission addresses and the online portal on the official IRS website.

## Related forms

- [1040 Form](https://pdf.net/pdf-forms/tax-forms/1040-form)
- [Form 1040-SR](https://pdf.net/pdf-forms/tax-forms/form-1040-sr)
- [Form 1040-X](https://pdf.net/pdf-forms/tax-forms/form-1040-x)
- [Form 3911](https://pdf.net/pdf-forms/tax-forms/form-3911)
- [Form 4868](https://pdf.net/pdf-forms/tax-forms/form-4868)