Can i cash my irs check at any bank

If you’d like a fast, safe and easy way to cash your latest tax refund check, stop by your local Money Services.

If you’ve received a tax refund from the Government, you’ll be looking for somewhere to cash it. Stop by your nearest Money Services and we’ll take care of it. We’ll cash your tax refund check quickly and easily – there’s no enrollment so you can get on with the rest of your day in no time. We’re open evenings and weekends, so visit us at a time that suits you.

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Can i cash my irs check at any bank

How to cash your

Cashing your tax refund check at your local Money Services is a straightforward process which works the same way as cashing any check. Here’s what you need to do:

  • Find us – Search for your local Money Services using our store locator tool.

  • Bring your check – Take your check to your local Money Services – the fee will be deducted from the cash you get back.

  • Bring your details – Make sure you bring the valid ID, and know your Social Security or Taxpayer Identification Number.

  • Cash your check – Our friendly in-store team will give you your money right away.

What you need to

To cash a check at your local Money Services, you need to bring your check, know your Social Security or Taxpayer Identification Number, and bring a current, valid ID. The types of ID accepted are:

  • Driver’s License (US Only)
  • State‐issued ID
  • Military ID
  • Resident Alien ID
  • Matricula Consular ID
  • US-issued passport
  • Tribal Nation ID or Reservation ID

Can i cash my irs check at any bank

Where can you

Money Services are located across the US. With so many to choose from, you won’t have to go far to find one that’s within easy reach. Check out the store locator to find your nearest Money Services.

Find a check cashing store

Visit a local store to cash your checks—search by state, city or ZIP code to find your nearest Money Services.

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Understanding your

Your tax refund check will be made out to you by the United States Treasury if you’re owed money. Take note of its issue date, because your check will only be valid for a certain period of time – usually one year.

Fees*

  • Check cashing fees* start at $3 with Shopper’s Card for checks up to $2,000.
  • Fees* for checks between $2,000.01 and $5,000 start at $5.50 with Shopper’s Card.

*Fees & limits vary by state. Check your local Money Services store for exact fees and limits in your area.

last reviewed: AUG 19, 2020

No, a bank or credit union is not obligated to cash the check. If you go to a bank or credit union where neither you nor the person writing the check has an account, the bank or credit union will often refuse to cash the check.

However, many banks or credit unions will cash a check if: 

  • It is written by one of their account holders,
  • There is money in the account to cover the check,
  • The check is not more than 6 months old, 
  • You are the payee shown on the face of the check, and
  • You show proper ID. 

The bank or credit union might charge a fee if you don’t have an account with them.

The bank or credit union where you have your checking account may allow you to cash a check from another bank or credit union. However, it might require you to first deposit the check into your own account. If you deposit the check in your checking account, the funds will usually be available in one or two business days.

Some banks and credit unions do provide fee-based check cashing services, including to consumers that do not have an account with the bank or credit union and who are presenting third-party checks.

Now, more than ever, you need a reliable, fast, secure, contact-less way to receive your money. The best and fastest way to get your tax refund is to have it electronically deposited for free into your financial account. The IRS program is called direct deposit. You can use it to deposit your refund into one, two or even three accounts. Even if you don’t have a checking account, there are other options available for direct deposit. Direct deposit is now also available for returns filed after their due date.

Eight out of ten taxpayers get their refunds by using direct deposit. It is simple, safe and secure. This is the same electronic transfer system used to deposit nearly 98 percent of all Social Security and Veterans Affairs benefits into millions of accounts.

Combining direct deposit with electronic filing is the fastest way to receive your refund. There’s no chance of it going uncashed, getting lost, stolen, or destroyed. The IRS issues more than nine out of ten refunds in less than 21 days. Taxpayers who used direct deposit for their tax refunds also received their stimulus payments more quickly. You can track your refund using our Where’s My Refund? tool.

Direct deposit is easy to use. Just select it as your refund method through your tax software and type in the account number and routing number. Or, tell your tax preparer you want direct deposit. You can even use direct deposit if you are one of the few people still filing by paper. Be sure to double check your entry to avoid errors.

Can i cash my irs check at any bank

Don’t have a check available to locate your routing and account number? A routing number identifies the location of the bank’s branch where you opened your account and most banks list their routing numbers on their websites. Your account number can usually be located by signing into your online banking account or by calling your bank branch.

If you have a prepaid debit card, you may be able to have your refund deposited to the card. Many reloadable prepaid cards have account and routing numbers that you can provide to the IRS. Check with the financial institution to ensure your card can be used and to obtain the routing number and account number, which may be different from the card number.

Mobile apps may be an optionSome mobile apps and prepaid debit cards allow for direct deposit of tax refunds. They must have routing and account numbers associated with them that can be entered on a tax return. Taxpayers should check with the mobile app provider or financial institution to confirm which numbers to use.

Don’t have a bank account? Visit the FDIC website or the National Credit Union Administration using their Credit Union Locator Tool for information on where to find a bank or credit union that can open an account online and how to choose the right account for you. If you are a Veteran, see the Veterans Benefits Banking Program (VBBP) for access to financial services at participating banks. You can also ask your preparer if they have other electronic payment options that they offer.

Direct deposit also saves you money. It costs the nation’s taxpayers more than $1 for every paper refund check issued, but only a dime for each direct deposit made.

The federal tax refund is often the largest single check many people receive. It’s an opportune time to start or add to your savings. You can divide your refund into two or three additional financial accounts, including your Individual Retirement Account, or purchase up to $5,000 in U.S. Series I Savings Bonds.

Splitting your refund is easy. You can use your tax software to do it electronically. Or, use IRS’ Form 8888, Allocation of RefundPDF (including Savings Bond Purchases) if you file a paper return. Just follow the instructions on the form. If you want the IRS to deposit your refund into just one account, use the direct deposit line on your tax form.

With split refunds, you have a convenient option for managing your money — sending some of your refund to an account for immediate use and some for future savings — teamed with the speed and safety of direct deposit.

Your refund should only be deposited directly into a United States bank or United States bank affiliated accounts that are in your own name, your spouse’s name or both if it’s a joint account. No more than three electronic refunds can be deposited into a single financial account or pre-paid debit card. Taxpayers who exceed the limit will receive an IRS notice and a paper refund.

Whether you file electronically or on paper, direct deposit gives you access to your refund faster than a paper check. 

  • Frequently Asked Questions about Splitting Federal Income Tax Refunds
  • Form 8888, Allocation of Refund (Including Savings Bond PurchasesPDF
  • Buying U.S. Series I Savings Bonds with your tax refund
  • Frequently Asked Questions about buying U.S. Series I Savings Bonds with your refund
  • Where's My Refund?
  • Direct Deposit Limits

Where can I cash my tax refund check without a bank account?

Cash it at the issuing bank (this is the bank name that is pre-printed on the check) Cash a check at a retailer that cashes checks (discount department store, grocery stores, etc.) Cash the check at a check-cashing store. Deposit at an ATM onto a pre-paid card account or checkless debit card account.

What do I need to cash my tax refund check?

To cash a check at your local Money Services, you need to bring your check, know your Social Security or Taxpayer Identification Number, and bring a current, valid ID. The types of ID accepted are: Driver's License (US Only) State‐issued ID.

Will Walmart cash my tax refund check?

Cash your payroll or government checks, including tax refund checks, at Walmart stores. Max $4 fee for cashing checks of up to $1,000; max $8 fee for cashing checks over $1,000 and up to $5,000 (or $7,500 during tax refund season).

Can I cash my tax refund check at Wells Fargo?

The state recommends anyone who gets a TABOR refund check cash or deposit it at a Wells Fargo or your personal bank.