Yes, you can cash your tax refund check at your bank if you have an account there
Most banks will cash a tax refund check for their account holders at no charge. You walk in with the check, show your ID, and the teller deposits it to your account or hands you cash. The check clears the same day or the next business day in most cases. If you have a checking or savings account at the bank, this is the fastest and cheapest way to get your money.
The IRS sends refund checks by mail, and they look like regular checks — they come from the Department of the Treasury and have a check number, routing number, and account number printed on them. Banks treat them like any other check you deposit or cash.
The one thing that matters: you need to be a customer of that bank. If you do not have an account there, most banks will not cash it for you, even if you have a government-issued ID. Some banks have policies that allow non-customers to cash checks, but it is rare and often comes with a fee.
Key Takeaways
- Your bank will cash or deposit your IRS refund check for free if you have an account there, and the money is usually available the same day or next business day.
- You need your government-issued ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID) to cash or deposit the check.
- If you do not have a bank account, you can cash the check at a check-cashing store, but you will pay a fee that ranges from 1 to 5 percent of the check amount.
- Endorse the back of the check (sign your name) before you go to the bank, or the teller will ask you to sign it there.
- If your check is lost or stolen, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to report it and request a replacement.
What you need to bring to the bank
Bring your refund check and one form of government-issued ID. A driver's license, state ID card, or passport all work. The teller will ask to see both before they cash or deposit the check.
You do not need to bring your debit card, Social Security number, or anything else. The ID is the only thing the bank needs to verify you are who the check is made out to. If the check is made out to you and your spouse, both of you need to be present with ID, or one of you needs to have signed the back of the check and the other needs to sign it in front of the teller.
Cashing versus depositing at the bank
You have two choices: ask the teller to deposit the check into your account, or ask them to cash it and give you the money in cash or a combination of cash and a cashier's check.
Depositing is simpler and safer. The money goes straight into your account, and you can use your debit card or write checks against it once it clears. Most banks clear IRS checks the same day or by the next business day. You do not have to carry cash home.
Cashing the check means you walk out with the money in hand. If you need cash immediately and do not want to wait for the deposit to clear, this is the route. Ask for the amount in cash, or ask for part in cash and the rest as a cashier's check if the amount is large and you do not feel safe carrying that much cash.
How long it takes for the money to show up
If you deposit the check, the money is usually available the same day or the next business day. IRS checks are treated as government checks, and most banks clear them quickly. You can ask the teller when the funds will be available — they can tell you based on the bank's policy and the time of day you deposit it.
If you cash the check, you have the money immediately. There is no waiting period.
If you deposit the check late in the day (after 2 or 3 p.m., depending on the bank), it may not post to your account until the next business day. Weekends and bank holidays also delay the process by one day.
If your bank will not cash the check
Some banks have strict policies and will only deposit checks for account holders, not cash them. If your bank is one of them, ask the teller if they can deposit it instead. That solves the problem — the money goes into your account and you can withdraw it from an ATM or at the teller window once it clears.
If you do not have an account at any bank, you can cash the check at a check-cashing store. These are storefront businesses that cash checks for a fee. The fee is usually 1 to 5 percent of the check amount, depending on the store and your location. For a $1,500 refund, you might pay $15 to $75 to cash it. Walmart, grocery stores, and some pharmacies also cash checks for a flat fee, often $3 to $6, which is cheaper than a dedicated check-cashing store.
What to do if the check is damaged or you lost it
If the check is torn, water-damaged, or otherwise damaged but still readable, most banks will still cash it or deposit it. Show it to the teller and ask. If it is too damaged to read the routing number or account number, the bank may refuse it.
If you lost the check or it was stolen, contact the IRS right away at 1-800-829-1040. Tell them the check is missing and ask them to put a stop payment on it and issue a replacement. This takes about two weeks. The IRS will mail you a new check to the address on file with your tax return.
Do not wait to report it. If someone else cashes the check before you report it missing, you will have a harder time getting your money back.
Checks made out to you and another person
If the check is made out to you and your spouse, or you and another person, both names need to be on the back of the check when it is cashed or deposited. This means both people need to sign the back (endorse it). If only one person signs, the bank will ask the other person to sign it in front of the teller before they cash it.
If you are divorced or separated and the check is still made out to both of you, you both still need to sign it to cash it. If you cannot get the other person to sign, contact the IRS to explain the situation. They may be able to issue a new check in your name only, but this takes time and requires documentation of the divorce or separation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to deposit the check into my account, or can I just cash it?
You can do either. Cashing means you get the money in hand immediately. Depositing means the money goes into your account and you can use your debit card or write checks against it. Most people deposit because it is safer and you do not have to carry cash.
What if I do not have a government ID?
You will need one to cash or deposit the check at a bank. If you do not have a driver's license or passport, you can get a state ID card from your local DMV. In the meantime, a check-cashing store may cash the check with a different form of ID, though policies vary by location.
Can I cash the check at a different bank than the one I use?
Most banks will not cash a check for someone who does not have an account there. Some banks have policies that allow it for a fee, but it is uncommon. Your best option is to deposit it at your own bank or use a check-cashing store.
How do I know if my refund check was mailed or if it is coming by direct deposit?
Check your IRS account at IRS.gov using your Social Security number and filing status, or call 1-800-829-1040. The IRS will tell you the payment method and the date it was sent or will be sent. If you chose direct deposit on your tax return, the money goes straight to your bank account without a check.
What if the check amount is wrong?
Do not cash it yet. Contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and explain the discrepancy. They will investigate and either confirm the amount is correct or issue a corrected check. Cashing a check you believe is wrong can complicate the process.