Yes, you can deposit your tax refund check online at Bank of America using mobile deposit or their website
Bank of America offers two ways to deposit a mailed tax refund check without visiting a branch: mobile deposit through their app and online deposit through their website. Both methods let you photograph or scan the check and submit it electronically. The check must be made payable to you, and you'll need a Bank of America checking or savings account to use either service.
Mobile deposit is faster and more convenient for most people—you photograph the front and back of the check using your phone, and the funds typically appear in your account within one business day. Online deposit works similarly but requires a scanner or camera and a computer. Both methods are free and available 24/7.
Key Takeaways
- Bank of America's mobile app and website both let you deposit tax refund checks by photographing or scanning them, with funds arriving within one business day.
- You must endorse the back of the check (sign it) and write "For mobile deposit only" below your signature before photographing it.
- The check must be made payable to you alone—if it's made to you and another person, you'll need to visit a branch or have the co-payee present.
- After you submit the deposit, do not spend or deposit the physical check again; Bank of America will tell you when to destroy it.
How to deposit through the Bank of America mobile app
Open the Bank of America app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines). Select "Deposit checks" or look for a deposit option in the main menu. You'll be asked to choose which account to deposit into. Take a clear photo of the front of the check, then the back—make sure the entire check is visible and the image is in focus. The app will review the images and confirm the amount.
Before you photograph the check, sign the back and write "For mobile deposit only" below your signature. This protects you if the physical check is lost. After you submit, the app will give you a confirmation number and tell you when the funds will appear—usually the next business day. Keep the physical check in a safe place until Bank of America notifies you that the deposit has cleared, then destroy it.
How to deposit through the Bank of America website
Log into your Bank of America online account and look for "Deposit checks" in the main menu or under your account options. You'll need a scanner or camera to capture images of the front and back of the check. The process is the same as the app: sign the back, write "For mobile deposit only," and submit clear images of both sides.
Website deposits work on the same timeline as mobile deposits—funds usually arrive within one business day. You'll receive a confirmation number and instructions on when to destroy the physical check. If you don't have a scanner, you can use your phone camera and upload the photos from your computer.
What happens if the check is made out to two people
If your tax refund check is made payable to you and another person (such as a spouse or co-owner), Bank of America's online and mobile deposit services cannot process it. Both payees must endorse the check, and the system cannot verify dual signatures through photos. You'll need to visit a Bank of America branch in person with both the check and both forms of ID.
Alternatively, if the other payee is not available or willing to sign, you can contact the IRS to request a reissued check in your name only. This takes longer but avoids the need for a branch visit. Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to ask about reissue options.
Timing and when the money appears in your account
Bank of America typically deposits funds from mobile and online check deposits within one business day. This means if you submit the deposit on a Monday morning, the money usually appears by Tuesday. Deposits submitted on Friday or over the weekend are processed on the next business day, so they may not appear until Monday or Tuesday.
The confirmation screen will show you the exact date the funds are expected. Do not assume the money is available until you see it in your account balance. Some banks hold funds for longer if the check amount is unusually large or if there are other red flags, but Bank of America generally processes tax refund checks quickly since they come from a government source.
Requirements and limits for mobile and online deposit
Your check must be a U.S. Treasury check (issued by the IRS) and made payable to you. Bank of America does not accept checks that have already been endorsed to someone else or checks with damage, alterations, or missing information. The check must be legible in the photographs—if the images are blurry or cut off, the deposit will be rejected.
Bank of America does not publish a specific dollar limit for tax refund checks deposited online or through mobile, but extremely large checks (over $10,000) may be subject to additional review. If your deposit is rejected, the app or website will tell you why. Common reasons include poor image quality, a missing signature, or the check being made out to someone else. You can resubmit after fixing the problem.
What to do if the deposit is rejected or doesn't go through
If Bank of America rejects your deposit, check the notification in the app or on the website—it will explain the reason. Most rejections are due to image quality (blurry photos, cut-off edges) or a missing or illegible signature. Take new photos with better lighting and make sure the entire check is visible, then resubmit.
If the deposit is accepted but the money doesn't appear after two business days, contact Bank of America customer service at 1-800-432-1000. Have your confirmation number ready. If the physical check was lost or damaged before you could destroy it, tell Bank of America immediately—they can flag the check in the system to prevent someone else from cashing it. In rare cases, you may need to request a replacement check from the IRS.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to use mobile deposit, or can I just go to a branch?
You can deposit at a branch anytime during business hours if you prefer. Mobile and online deposit are optional conveniences. If you're uncomfortable with the technology or your check has any unusual features, a branch deposit is always available and takes just a few minutes.
What if I don't have a Bank of America account yet?
You need an active Bank of America checking or savings account to use mobile or online deposit. If you don't have one, you can open an account online or at a branch. Once the account is open and activated, you can deposit your check immediately.
Can I deposit the check and then spend the money right away?
The money usually appears in your account within one business day, but Bank of America may place a temporary hold on large deposits. Check your account balance to confirm the funds are available before you spend them. Do not deposit the physical check again after submitting it online—this can cause fraud flags and delays.
What if the check is damaged or has a tear?
Minor tears or creases usually don't prevent deposit if the check is still legible and all required information is visible. Take clear photos that show the entire check and submit. If the damage is severe (missing pieces, illegible text), Bank of America will reject it, and you'll need to request a replacement from the IRS.
How long should I keep the physical check after depositing it?
Keep the check until Bank of America confirms the deposit has cleared, which is usually one to two business days. Once you see the funds in your account and the deposit status shows "completed," you can safely destroy the check by shredding it.