What this line means
The dollar amount you want deposited into a second bank account. Lines 2a and 2b capture the routing number and account number for this second account, and line 2c specifies how much of your refund goes there. This account can be at a completely different bank from the first account. Many filers use this to direct part of their refund into a savings account while the rest goes to checking.
Does this apply to you?
- You want part of your refund deposited into a second bank account separate from the first
- You are building an emergency fund and want to automatically route a portion of your refund into savings
- You share finances with someone and want part of the refund deposited into their account
Easy to overlook
You can deposit into an IRA or HSA The second account does not have to be a standard checking or savings account. You can direct-deposit part of your refund into an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) or Health Savings Account (HSA) at a financial institution, as long as that institution accepts direct deposits and you have not exceeded contribution limits for the year. 1 IRS Form 8888 instructions — Lines 2a through 2c
Automatic savings without the willpower Behavioral research shows that people who split refunds into separate accounts save more than those who receive a lump sum. Directing even a small fixed amount — $200 or $500 — into a savings account means the money is set aside before you have a chance to spend it. Form 8888 makes this automatic. 2 General filing pattern — using refund splits for savings goals
Watch out for this
Entering the same routing and account number on lines 2a-2b as you used on lines 1a-1b. The IRS does not combine duplicate account entries — it processes two separate deposits to the same account, which can cause processing delays or errors at your bank. If you want the full amount in one account, put the total on line 1c and leave lines 2a-2c blank.
Footnotes
-
IRS Form 8888 Instructions, Lines 2a-2c. https://www.irs.gov/instructions/i8888 ↩
-
IRS Publication 17, Your Federal Income Tax, Refunds. https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p17.pdf ↩