Are you worrying over where to cash your tax refund check? Well, no need to. Cashing that income tax refund check could just be the most enjoyable part of doing your taxes, if not the only fun part. But, where do you take the check to change it into cash in your pocket? The solution varies from obvious to astonishing. If you are wondering, “where can I cash my tax refund check?” we’re going to help with that and more.
First, it’s essential to start with some basic rules for cashing income tax checks. The Internal Revenue Service recommends that those receiving income tax repayments to do so electronically. Doing so reduces fraud risks. Regardless, your bank should cash the tax refund check without imposing a fee for the privilege. However, note that banks, where you are not an account holder, have no obligation to cash your income tax check. Besides, the IRS does not provide specifics for cashing a tax refund check. Instead, it mentions that it issues paper checks only in the absence of direct deposit. Also, the organization points out that issuing paper checks may delay your refund for up to ten weeks.
So, there are various ways to receive your income tax repayment cash. If you opt to get your compensation by check, there are several cashing alternatives as well. Some of the options come at a fee. Moreover, be ready to provide identification in the form of a state ID or a driver’s license, among others. While banks often choose to only cash income tax checks for customers, holding a bank account isn’t a requirement to cash your federal tax refund check. In this article, we’ll show you where can I cash my tax refund check, with or without a bank account.
Best 8 Solutions To Cash My Tax Refund Check
The IRS lists eligible financial institutions that can accept income tax refund checks through direct deposit. Their list includes;
- Credit unions
- Mutual savings banks
- National and state banks
- Savings and loans associations
The IRS list seems to be favoring Americans with accounts in banks and other financial institutions. However, millions of taxpayers who receive tax compensations are without banking accounts. First, we’ll explain banks as an option to cash your tax refund checks. In addition, we will explore other ways to bypass traditional banking services and still receive your cash.
So, the IRS list aside, here are our top solutions to the one question that keeps disturbing most average Americans every tax refund season, “where can I cash my tax refund check?” Our detailed list includes check-cashing places open on Sunday like major retailers, small groceries, and convenience stores. These places are especially useful to consumers who prefer to do their shopping on weekends.
1. Prepaid Cards
The best way to receive your refund check is by opening a prepaid debit card account. The prepaid debit card will let you receive IRS’s direct deposits. Different prepaid card accounts have different charges for direct deposits. For example, accounts like Walmart and Amex’s Bluebird allow a $0 fee for direct deposits.
All United States residents of age 18+ can open the Bluebird prepaid debit account. Also, this account comes with a family card option. With this feature, you can give access to up to four other people on the same account.
Online tax programs, including TaxSlayer and H&R Block, let tax filers apply for prepaid debit cards for the sole purpose of receiving their refund checks. These prepaid cards carry similar benefits with the Bluebird account, but with more charges.
2. Check-Cashing Facilities
Most check-cashing facilities apply fees for their service based on your check’s value. The charges could be a flat fee for specified amounts, which steadily increase for high-value checks. In some cases, the fee is a fraction of the check. Besides, a majority of these businesses will impose extra charges for the transaction. Numerous convenience stores and small groceries near you also offer this service.
3. Endorse Your Check To Another Party
Cashing your tax refund check can be as simple as seeking the help of a trusted friend or a family member with a banking account. After that, endorse the new party in writing below the check, which includes directing the bank to pay to the endorsee’s order and signing your name. Be sure that your preferred third-party signs below your endorsement before proceeding to the bank. You can cash your tax refund check without charges using this method.
4. Banks and Credit Unions
Like we mentioned earlier, you can cash your tax refund check at your bank or credit union without extra charges. But what if you do not have an account?
Lack of a bank account shouldn’t make you give up on the banks. You could try two options;
- First, you can still cash the check at any other bank that accepts non-customers for a small fee, often less than ten dollars.
- Alternatively, you could open an account using the check, which is usually free.
5. Banks That Cash Income Tax Checks For Non-Clients
Some banks are unwilling to cash non-customer checks, even though many do, particularly if you are carrying a check from a trusted source like the government. Our research finds that these banks will cash income tax refund checks for non-clients. Even so, you should keep in mind that policies in banks can vary from one branch to the next. So, you’ll want to cross-check with your local branch.
American Heritage Federal Credit Union
- Non-client charges: $5
- Check amount cap: N/A
- Requirements: Two types of government-issued identifications
- Other details: Use this near by you American Heritage Federal Credit Union local branch locator
Capital One Bank
- Non-client charges: $7
- Check amount cap: Differs depending on the branch
- Requirements: Two types of government-issued identifications
- Other details: Use this near by you Capital One Bank local branch locator
Citibank
- Non-client charges: $0
- Check amount cap: Unspecified limit
- Requirements: Social security card with driver’s license
- Other details: Use this near by you Citibank local branch locator
Fifth Third Bank
- Non-client charges: Varies by check type and amount
- Check amount cap: $5,000
- Requirements: A government ID like a passport or driver’s license
- Other details: Use this near by you Fifth Third Bank local branch locator
HSBC
Keep in mind that some branches of the HSBC bank will not accept tax refund checks from non-clients. So, consider reaching your local branch to see if they will cash your government check.
- Non-client charges: Available, but differs across local branches
- Check amount cap: Differs depending on the local branch
- Requirements: A government-issued ID, while other requirements differ by branch
- Other details: Use this near by you HSBC local branch locator
PNC Bank
- Non-client charges: Maximum $10
- Check amount cap: $500
- Requirements: A driver’s license with another identification form like a credit card
- Other details: Use this PNC Bank local branch locator
Wells Fargo
- Non-client charges: Can be up to $7.50
- Check amount cap: $10,000, with an option to redeem 10,000+ checks for a cashier’s check
- Requirements: Two types of ID, with one photo ID from the government
- Other details: Use this Wells Fargo local branch locator
6. Open a $0 or Low Fee Bank Account
The simplest way to cash your tax refund check is by opening a banking account. In this way, you can always obtain tax refunds through direct deposits or deposit physical checks. Along with offering check cashing, banking accounts let you:
- Monitor your funds through monthly statements
- Direct deposit funds, including income tax refunds
- Have your money in a secure place
- Earn interest depending on the account
- Access ATMs
- What to consider: Banking accounts with low or no charges, and low minimum balances
- Where to find: Major national banks’ accounts often carry monthly charges if you don’t maintain the specified funds in your account at any point. You’ll have better luck with a credit union, or a small local bank, which often have low charges.
- Requirements to open the account: You will typically require a government-issued ID bearing your photo to open a bank account. Besides, the bank will need your personal details such as address and social security number, among others.
We recommend opening a Chime bank account if you are 18+ years, and a legal resident of the United States. Nearly all their accounts have no monthly service fees with no overdraft charges.
Setting up a Chime account takes a few minutes. From there, you can use your bank account number as well as the routing number to complete the direct deposit details on your tax return.
7. Large Retailers That Cash Income Tax Refund Checks
Probably you don’t want your income tax refund to reach any electronic account. In that case, you may want to consider a retail check cashing option. Large retailers have far less costly check-cashing services than using check-cashing facilities. Some chains waive their checking fees if you buy from the store and use the check to pay. Moreover, these retailers are often safer courtesy of plenty of CCTVs in their parking areas.
Nevertheless, if you are planning to cash your tax refund check at one of the retail check-cashing outlets, make sure to tuck the funds away in isolation. Also, you’ll want to employ some safety precautions so you are not a target for theft.
Major chains from where you can cash government checks include:
Walmart
- Charges: $3 for max $1,000 checks, and $6 for between $1,0001 and $5,000 max checks
- Check-cashing cap: $5,000
- Check-cashing Requirements: Government-issued ID with photo
- Other details: Learn more about the store’s check-cashing policies or visit a near by you Walmart local store
Fred Meyer via Western Union
- Charges: Checks up to $2,000 cost $3, with $5 fee for maximum $5,000 checks
- Check-cashing cap: $5,000
- Check-cashing Requirements: Government-issued ID with social security card
- Other details: Learn more about the store’s check-cashing policies or visit a near by you Fred Meyer Via Western Union local store
Kroger
- Charges: $1 for max $150 checks, $3 for max $2,000 checks, and $5 for $2,000+ checks
- Check-cashing cap: $3,000 weekly
- Check-cashing Requirements: Government-issued ID plus SSN or taxpayer ID number
- Other details: Learn more about the store’s check-cashing policies or visit a near by you Kroger local store
Kmart
- Charges: $0 in GU, DE, NJ, PA, SC, CT, GA, NV, PR, & WA; $0.50 in RI & IL; and $1 in other locations
- Check-cashing cap: $2,000
- Check-cashing Requirements: Government-issued ID
- Other details: Learn more about the store’s check-cashing policies or visit a near by you Kmart local store
Safeway
- Charges: $2.25 per $200 of check cashing
- Check-cashing cap: $1,500
- Check-cashing Requirements: Government-issued IDs like driver’s license or passport
- Other details: Call (877) 258-2799 to learn more about their check cashing policies or visit a near by you Safeway local store
Food Lion
- Charges: Varies depending on your state, with each store posting its fees
- Check-cashing cap: $1,000
- Check-cashing Requirements: Government-issued ID
- Other details: Learn more about the store’s check-cashing policies or visit a near by you Food Lion local store
Stop & Shop
- Charges: Differ according to store
- Check-cashing cap: Store-based check cashing limits
- Check-cashing Requirements: Government-issued ID with photo, and register for their business check cashing card and payroll at any of their locations
- Other details: Learn more about the store’s check-cashing policies or visit a near by you Stop & Shop local store
8. Cash Your Physical Tax Refund Check With An App
If no above solutions work for you and so you are still wondering, ‘where can I cash my tax refund check’, then consider using an app, like PayPal. You can take a photo of the physical check and deposit it through the PayPal application. PayPal will let you access the money right away for a 1% fee. But you can get the funds for free if you wait for ten days.
Other application options for cashing physical income tax refund checks include;
- The Amazon gift card for a minimum $5 or 2% charge
- The Ingo Money app that lets residents cash physical income tax refund checks
- Any prepaid card for a minimum $5 or 2% charge
- Receive up to $1,000 from the nearest MoneyGram location
The Bottom Line
The IRS does not insist on exact ways to cash a government refund check. As a result, some residents are left wondering, “where can I cash my tax refund check?” However, you have multiple choices if you want to cash your income tax refund check. The options range from banks and credit unions to convenience stores to major retail chains. You’ll want to be ready to produce one or two forms of identification with each place you visit. Besides, you should be prepared to pay a service charge at most places that cash tax refund checks if you are not cashing at your bank. So, if you bring along the government check and relevant ID, you are likely to leave with money in your pockets.