Why your refund needs another step
CP53E can arrive when refund bank details are missing, invalid, or rejected, or when an IRS adjustment creates a refund. It does not by itself mean the refund was denied.
Use the official online account
Within 30 days of the notice date, use the bank-account notification in your IRS Individual Online Account to add eligible account details or select an applicable paper-check exception. IRS telephone staff cannot enter your banking details for you.
The IRS allows one opportunity to add or update the account, so verify the routing number, account number, and ownership before submitting. Current guidance says a paper check will be issued after six weeks if you do not respond.
Protect your banking information
Navigate to IRS.gov yourself. Do not send bank details to this website, a search advertisement, or an unsolicited caller. Save the confirmation and use the IRS refund-status service for subsequent updates.