You can receive your tax refund by check, prepaid card, or money order even if you don't have a bank account
The IRS does not require a bank account to send you a refund. If you file taxes and don't have a checking or savings account, you have three main ways to receive your money: a paper check mailed to your address, a temporary prepaid debit card issued by the IRS, or a money order. The method you choose affects how long you wait and what you do with the refund once it arrives.
When you file your tax return, you tell the IRS which delivery method you want. This choice happens on the form itself — either on paper Form 1040 or during the online filing process. You cannot change your mind after you file, so picking the right method the first time matters.
Key Takeaways
- Paper checks take four to six weeks to arrive by mail, while prepaid cards can arrive in seven to ten business days.
- You select your refund delivery method when you file your return, not after, so you must decide before submitting.
- The IRS issues temporary prepaid debit cards that work like regular cards at ATMs and stores but expire after a set period.
- Money orders are less common but available through some tax software; you pick them up or have them mailed to you.
- You can track your refund status on IRS.gov using the "Where's My Refund?" tool regardless of which delivery method you chose.
Paper checks: the slowest but most straightforward option
A paper check is the default refund method if you don't specify otherwise. The IRS mails it to the address on your return. Processing takes four to six weeks from the date you file, though during tax season (January through April) delays can extend to eight weeks or longer. Once the check arrives, you can cash it at a bank, credit union, check-cashing service, or many retail stores like Walmart or Target.
The main drawback is the wait. If you need the money sooner, a check is not your best choice. The main advantage is simplicity — no card to activate, no expiration date, no fees. You can hold the check as long as you want before cashing it, though checks do expire after 180 days.
If your check does not arrive within the expected timeframe, use the IRS "Where's My Refund?" tool at IRS.gov. Enter your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount. The tool tells you whether the check has been mailed, is in transit, or has been delivered. If it shows delivered but you never received it, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040.
Prepaid debit cards: faster delivery with an expiration date
The IRS can issue a temporary prepaid debit card instead of a check. This card arrives in seven to ten business days and works immediately at ATMs and stores. You do not need a bank account to use it. The card is issued by a third-party processor (usually Green Dot or a similar company) and comes with a PIN you set up when you activate it.
The catch is that the card expires. Most temporary refund cards remain active for 180 days from issuance. After that date, you cannot use it to withdraw money or make purchases. Before expiration, you must either spend the balance, transfer it to another account, or withdraw it as cash. Some cards allow you to request a check for the remaining balance before the expiration date, but you have to initiate this yourself.
There are no monthly fees on these temporary cards, but some transactions may carry charges — typically ATM withdrawals outside the issuer's network cost $1 to $3 per transaction. Using an in-network ATM (listed on the card's website) is free. If you choose this method, select it during tax filing by indicating "refund to debit card" or similar language depending on your tax software.
Money orders: available but rarely used
Some tax software platforms offer money orders as a refund delivery method, though this is uncommon. If available, the IRS issues a money order for your refund amount and either mails it to you or makes it available for pickup at a designated location. Processing time is similar to checks — four to six weeks.
Once you receive the money order, you cash it at a bank, credit union, check-cashing service, or post office. Money orders do not expire as quickly as checks (they typically remain valid for one to three years), but they are less convenient than checks because fewer places accept them. Most people filing without a bank account choose checks or prepaid cards instead.
Ask your tax software whether money orders are an option before filing. If the software does not list it, you cannot request one — the choice must be available at filing time.
How to choose your delivery method when filing
Your choice of refund delivery happens on your tax return form, not after you file. On Form 1040 (the main federal income tax form), look for the section labeled "Refund" or "Direct Deposit." If you are filing by paper, you will see checkboxes for "Check" or other options. If you are filing online through tax software, the software will ask you to select a delivery method before you submit.
Select the method that matches your situation. If you need the money quickly and can manage a card with an expiration date, choose the prepaid card. If you prefer to wait a few weeks and avoid any card fees or expiration concerns, choose the check. Once you submit your return, you cannot change this choice, so think it through before clicking submit or mailing the form.
If you are unsure which option your tax software offers, check the software's help section or contact its customer support before you file. Some free filing platforms (like IRS Free File) may have limited options compared to paid software.
Tracking your refund without a bank account
Regardless of which delivery method you chose, you can track your refund using the IRS "Where's My Refund?" tool at IRS.gov. This tool works the same way for checks, cards, and money orders. Enter your Social Security number, filing status (single, married filing jointly, etc.), and the exact refund amount shown on your return.
The tool updates once per day and shows three possible statuses: "Received" (the IRS has your return but has not processed it yet), "Approved" (your return has been processed and your refund is being prepared), or "Sent" (your refund has been mailed or issued). For checks and money orders, "Sent" means it is in the mail. For prepaid cards, "Sent" means the card has been issued and is on its way to you.
You can also call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to ask about your refund status. Have your Social Security number, filing status, and refund amount ready. The IRS also offers a text message service — text "REFUND" to 202-556-1040 to receive status updates by text.
What to do if your refund does not arrive
If the "Where's My Refund?" tool shows your refund was sent but you have not received it after the expected timeframe, contact the IRS. For a check, wait at least four weeks after filing before reporting it missing. For a prepaid card, wait at least two weeks. For a money order, wait four weeks.
Call 1-800-829-1040 with your Social Security number, filing status, and refund amount. The IRS can confirm whether the check or card was mailed and to which address. If it was mailed to an old address, the IRS can reissue it to your current address. If the check was lost in the mail, the IRS can issue a replacement. If the prepaid card was lost or damaged, the issuer can reissue it or transfer the balance to a new card.
If you received a prepaid card but cannot activate it or forgot your PIN, contact the card issuer directly — the phone number is on the back of the card or in the welcome materials that came with it. Do not call the IRS for card-specific problems; the issuer handles those.
Cashing your refund at check-cashing services
If you receive a check or money order and do not have a bank account, you can cash it at a check-cashing service, retail store, or credit union. Check-cashing services charge a fee — typically 1 to 3 percent of the check amount, though this varies by location and company. A $2,000 refund check might cost $20 to $60 to cash.
Retail stores like Walmart, Target, and grocery chains often cash checks for free or a flat fee of $2 to $5 if you have a store loyalty card. Credit unions sometimes cash checks for non-members for a small fee. Call ahead to confirm the fee and whether they accept tax refund checks.
Bring your photo ID and the check or money order. Some places may ask for a second form of ID. The service is usually instant — you walk out with cash the same day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my refund delivery method after I file?
No. You must choose your delivery method when you file your return. Once you submit, you cannot change it. If you realize you made the wrong choice, you would have to wait for that refund to arrive, then file an amended return for future years with a different method selected.
How long does a prepaid card refund take compared to a check?
A prepaid card typically arrives in seven to ten business days, while a check takes four to six weeks. If speed is your priority, the prepaid card is faster. However, the card expires after 180 days, so you must use or withdraw the balance before then.
What happens if I lose the prepaid card before I use it?
Contact the card issuer immediately using the phone number on the welcome materials or the back of the card if you have it. The issuer can freeze the card to prevent fraud and reissue a new card with the same balance or transfer the funds to a different card.
Can I deposit a tax refund check into someone else's bank account?
Technically, a check is payable to you by name, so depositing it into someone else's account is not standard banking practice. However, some banks allow you to sign the back and have the other person deposit it as a third-party check, though policies vary. Your safest option is to cash the check yourself and give the person cash, or ask the bank what their policy is before you try.
Do I have to pay taxes on my tax refund?
No. A tax refund is your own money being returned to you, not income. You do not owe taxes on it. The only exception is if you received a refund in a prior year and did not report it as income when you should have, but that is a separate issue from the current refund.