Anyone with a valid ID can cash a tax refund check at most places, but where you can go and what you'll pay depends on who you are and what form of ID you have

A tax refund check is a regular check issued by the U.S. Treasury, so the same places that cash checks for anyone else will cash it for you. That includes banks, credit unions, check-cashing services, and some retail stores. You do not need a bank account. You do need a valid government-issued photo ID — a driver's license, passport, state ID card, or tribal ID. Some places will also accept a military ID or a foreign passport.

The catch is that fees and acceptance rules vary widely. A bank may cash your check for free if you're a customer, or charge $5 to $15 if you're not. A check-cashing service may charge 1 to 3 percent of the check amount — on a $1,500 refund, that could be $15 to $45. A Walmart or grocery store may cash it for $3 to $6. Where you go matters both to your wallet and to how fast you get the money.

Key Takeaways

  • Banks will cash your refund check for free if you have an account there, and for a fee of $5 to $15 if you don't.
  • Check-cashing services charge a percentage of the check amount, usually 1 to 3 percent, which adds up on larger refunds.
  • Retail stores like Walmart, Target, and grocery chains often cash checks for a flat fee of $3 to $6, making them cheaper than check-cashing services for most refunds.
  • You must bring a valid government-issued photo ID — a driver's license, passport, state ID, or tribal ID — to any place that cashes checks.
  • Some places have daily or per-check limits on how much they will cash, so call ahead if your refund is over $1,000.

Banks and credit unions: free if you're a member, fees if you're not

If you have a checking or savings account at a bank or credit union, they will cash your refund check for free, even if the check is not drawn on their bank. Bring your ID and the check, and you're done. This is the cheapest option if you have an account anywhere.

If you don't have an account, most banks will still cash the check but will charge a fee. The fee is usually $5 to $15 depending on the bank and the check amount. Some banks set a higher fee for larger checks. A few banks have stopped cashing checks for non-customers altogether, so call ahead or ask at the teller window before you wait in line.

Credit unions are often more flexible than banks. Many credit unions will cash checks for non-members for a smaller fee or no fee at all, especially if you live in their service area. If you have a credit union nearby, it's worth calling to ask.

Check-cashing services: convenient but expensive

Check-cashing stores are designed for people without bank accounts and will cash your refund check the same day. They're open longer hours than banks and are often in neighborhoods where banks are not. The downside is cost: they typically charge 1 to 3 percent of the check amount.

On a $1,000 refund, 1 to 3 percent means $10 to $30. On a $2,000 refund, it's $20 to $60. Some check-cashing services also charge a flat fee on top of the percentage, or charge different rates depending on the type of check. Ask for the fee in writing before you hand over your check.

Check-cashing services also often offer other services like money orders, bill payment, and payday loans. If you use them for other things anyway, the convenience may be worth the cost. If you're only there to cash a check, a retail store is usually cheaper.

Retail stores: the cheapest flat-fee option

Walmart, Target, Kroger, Safeway, and many other grocery and discount chains will cash checks, including tax refund checks, for a flat fee. The fee is usually $3 to $6 depending on the store and the check amount. This is cheaper than a check-cashing service for most refunds.

Walmart's check-cashing fee is $4 for checks up to $1,000 and $8 for checks over $1,000. Target charges $3 to $5. Kroger and Safeway fees vary by location but are usually in the $3 to $6 range. Call your local store to confirm the exact fee and their check-cashing hours before you go.

Retail stores usually have a daily limit on how much they will cash — often $5,000 to $10,000 per day — but most tax refunds fall well below that. Some stores also have a limit per check, so if your refund is unusually large, ask ahead.

What ID you need and what to bring

You must bring a valid government-issued photo ID. A driver's license or state ID card is the most common. A U.S. passport, passport card, or tribal ID also works. A military ID works at most places. A foreign passport works at some places but not all — call ahead if that's your only ID.

Bring the check itself and nothing else is required, but some places may ask for a second form of ID or a phone number. Have your ID ready before you get to the counter. If your ID is expired, some places will still accept it, but others won't — call ahead if your ID is not current.

If you don't have a photo ID, you cannot cash a check at a bank, credit union, retail store, or most check-cashing services. Your options are very limited. Some check-cashing services may cash a check with a non-photo ID like a Social Security card plus a utility bill, but this is rare and varies by location. Call ahead to ask.

Limits on how much you can cash at once

Most retail stores have a daily check-cashing limit of $5,000 to $10,000. Banks and credit unions usually have higher limits or no limit at all. Check-cashing services vary — some have no limit, others cap it at $5,000 or $10,000 per day.

If your refund is larger than the store's limit, you have two options: go back another day and cash part of it, or go to a bank or credit union instead. Banks almost never have a limit on check-cashing for customers, and non-customers can usually cash large checks if they're willing to pay the fee.

Call ahead if your refund is over $1,000 and you're planning to use a retail store. It takes 30 seconds and saves you a wasted trip.

Online banks and mobile check deposit: not an option without an account

If you have an account at an online bank like Chime, Ally, or Charles Schwab, you can deposit your refund check using their mobile app — you photograph the front and back of the check and it deposits to your account. This is free and fast, usually within one business day.

But this only works if you already have an account. If you don't have a bank account, you can't use mobile deposit. You have to go in person to a physical location with your ID and the check.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cash a tax refund check at a place that's not a bank?

Yes. Retail stores like Walmart and Kroger, check-cashing services, and credit unions will all cash a tax refund check. You don't need a bank account. You do need a valid photo ID and the check itself.

What if the check is made out to me and my spouse?

Both people named on the check must be present with valid ID to cash it. Some places will make an exception if one person has a power of attorney, but this is rare. Call ahead to ask. The easiest route is to have both people go together.

Can I cash a refund check if my ID is expired?

Some places will accept an expired ID, others won't. Banks are usually stricter than retail stores. Call the specific location where you plan to cash the check and ask. If your ID is expired, renewing it at your state DMV is the safest option.

What happens if I lose the check before I cash it?

Contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and report it lost or stolen. They can issue a replacement check, which usually takes two to three weeks. If the original check is cashed by someone else in the meantime, the IRS will investigate and may recover the money for you, but this takes time. Don't delay reporting it.

Is there a fee to cash a government check?

A tax refund check is a regular check, so the same fees apply as for any other check. Banks charge $5 to $15 for non-customers, retail stores charge $3 to $6, and check-cashing services charge 1 to 3 percent. If you have a bank account, cashing is free.