Where to Cash a Tax Refund Check

Everyone has to pay taxes on their income, but some people pay more than necessary during the year. The IRS sends tax refund checks to people who overpaid in the previous tax season. 

Some people interpret the check as free money, while others don’t like getting these checks because it means they could have paid less on tax day. Either way, you may be wondering – where can I cash my tax refund check? 

With the check in hand, you have several choices for cashing it out and using the funds in any way you would like. Let’s go over them below! 

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Do I need a bank account to cash my tax refund check?

If you’re not sure where to cash a tax refund check, creating a bank account has many advantages. You can store money and create multiple accounts to categorize your funds.  However, you don’t need a bank account to cash your tax refund check. Since the United States Treasury backs your refund check from the IRS, it may be easier to cash a tax refund check at a bank, credit union, or retail store, than if you were attempting to cash a personal check. 

Do I need an ID to cash my tax refund check? 

Consumers have several choices for cashing out their checks, but you will need an ID to receive your funds. If this requirement didn’t exist, anyone could walk around with your tax refund check and claim to be you.  

Several documents count as valid IDs, such as an unexpired state-issued photo driver’s license or identification card, an unexpired passport, or a permanent resident card. In some cases, you may be able to provide a birth certificate and proof of your social security number if you don’t have a valid picture ID. 

Where can I cash an IRS refund check? 

Banks are one of your best bets for cashing tax refund checks, especially if you’re an account holder. Most banks won’t charge their customers fees for this service. Even if you don’t have an account, many banks will still cash your IRS check since its government issued. 

We’ll go into more detail about cashing tax refund check cashing at banks, but there are other places you can cash your check as well. 

5 places where you can cash a refund check

Your tax refund check has arrived, and you’re ready to get your money. Whether you have a bank account or not, you have several options for where to cash a tax refund check. 

When you get your tax refund check in the mail, you want your funds as quickly as possible. IRS checks from the U.S. Treasury expire in a year, and if you delay making a deposit, you could forget about the check. Life can get busy in a hurry.  

It may be best to get the deposit over with so you can focus on other things. Below are five places where you can cash a federal tax refund check.

1. Bank, online bank or credit union 

You should start with your bank or credit union if you already have an account. Many banks and credit unions will cash a check for free if you have an account with them. 

Banks and credit unions set their own policies when cashing checks for non-customers, including fees. While a bank or credit union may be unwilling to cash a personal check if you aren’t an account holder, they may accept your federal tax refund check since it is backed by the government. 

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2. ATM 

Many people use ATMs to get cash from their accounts. These convenient options can also help with federal tax refund checks, but you need to have a bank account. The ATM route requires a deposit before you can make a withdrawal. You would have to transfer the funds from the tax refund check to your bank account and then withdraw them. 

3. Check cashing services 

Check cashing services help people who want immediate access to cash and don’t have a bank account. Some stores require you to set up an account with them for tax refund check cashing, and they all require a valid identification document. Creating an account with the check cashing service will make it easier to cash an IRS check in the future. 

Check cashing stores typically charge fees based on a percentage of the check. This structure can become expensive, especially if you receive a large refund from the IRS. You can keep more of your money if you cash the check with another party. 

4. Large retail stores 

Some large retailers and grocery stores will cash tax refund checks, but you may have to pay a fee. To cash a check at these stores, you may need to sign up for a free account and present valid identification. 

Walmart cashes most pre-printed checks, including your federal tax refund. You don’t need to have an account, and you can cash checks of up to $7,500 between January and April and $5,000 for the remaining months of the year.  

Walmart’s fee depends on your check’s face value. You can expect a $4 fee for checks up to $1,000 and an $8 fee for checks up to $5,000. Check cashing services are not available in every state, so it’s a good idea to check with your local Walmart to see if they offer this service. 

Publix offers check cashing services in its customer service department, but you’ll need to check with your local store on required identification, check limits, and fees. 

5. Prepaid cards or debit cards 

Not everyone wants to cash their tax refund. Some people prefer to store the funds on a prepaid card. With 7-Eleven’s Transact Prepaid Mastercard, you can deposit your tax refund check through the app using your smartphone’s camera.   

Likewise, if you are an account holder with a bank or credit union, you may be able to access your funds immediately through your debit card. 

Access Your Federal Tax Refund Quickly  

When you finally get your tax refund, you may not want to wait for the check to clear before using your money. You have several ways to cash your federal tax refund check when you want your money now, even if you don’t have a bank account. As long as you bring the check and have valid identification, you can still find ways to cash your federal tax refund check. 

MoneyLion offers a safe and secure way to bank online ‘your way’ with daily rewards, get paid up to 2 days early, and Zero Minimum balance fees* 

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