Fill out Form 8888 (Allocation of Refund Including Savings Bond Purchases) online
Form 8888 allows taxpayers to split their federal tax refund into two or three different accounts, such as checking, savings, or retirement accounts. It can also be used to purchase U.S. Series I savings bonds directly with part or all of the refund.
How to fill out Form 8888 (Allocation of Refund Including Savings Bond Purchases)
Determine how to split your refund
Decide how much of your refund to allocate to each account or savings bond purchase. You can split it into up to three destinations. The total of all allocations must equal your total refund amount.
Enter the first account information
On line 1, enter the routing number, account number, account type (checking or savings), and the dollar amount to deposit into the first account.
Enter additional accounts or bond purchases
On lines 2 and 3, enter the details for up to two additional accounts. If purchasing U.S. Series I savings bonds, enter the amount on the designated line and provide the bond registration name(s).
Verify totals and attach to your return
Confirm that the total of all allocations matches your refund amount from Form 1040. Attach Form 8888 to your return and do not enter direct deposit information on Form 1040, line 35b.
About Form 8888 (Allocation of Refund Including Savings Bond Purchases)
Who needs this form
Taxpayers who want to deposit their refund into more than one bank account or purchase U.S. Series I savings bonds with their refund. It is commonly used by people who want to direct a portion of their refund to savings automatically.
Where to submit
Attach Form 8888 to your Form 1040 or 1040-SR. If you use this form, do not enter direct deposit information on Form 1040, line 35b; the routing and account numbers go on Form 8888 instead.
Source and content freshness
- Reviewed: 2026-02-24
- Filing deadlines may shift for weekends and holidays. Verify due dates with official instructions.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Entering incorrect routing or account numbers, which can delay or misdirect the refund
- Trying to split a refund into more than three accounts (the maximum is three)
- Filling in both Form 8888 and the direct deposit lines on Form 1040 (use one or the other)
- Not verifying the account type (checking vs. savings) for each allocation
Frequently asked questions
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Can I use Form 8888 to buy savings bonds with my refund?
Yes. You can use Form 8888 to purchase U.S. Series I savings bonds in multiples of $50, up to $5,000 per return. The bonds are issued in your name (and a co-owner or beneficiary if you choose) and mailed to the address on your tax return. This is in addition to the $10,000 annual purchase limit for I bonds bought through TreasuryDirect.
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