Cashing Income tax check

[Carrieannew]

Hey Girls and Guys- I look to you for information because seems like you guys know everything. Where can I cash my federal check? I'm currently do not have a checking/savings account. Not looking for advise on this. I have always had one. And right now its best for me to budget without. I know its weird. But anyways. I know there are all sorts of check casing places but they all want 2% and its not a small check. Can you cash one at a local bank if you dont have an account? Currently I cash my paycheck at a local Stop & Shop but they tell me they wont cash income checks. Help! I need to cash it and loose as little as possible.

Thanks!!!!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Do you have a local bank--I would just cash it there.

Depending on the size of the check--around here, some grocery stores will cash it for a fee and only to a certain amount.

Perhaps open up a "free" checking account with the money. There may be a minimum deposit--but select an account that does not have a minimum balance. No cost to you. And you can close the account later if you just don't wish to have a bank account (which I would strongly suggest having).

 

[C.Ann]

I wanted to cash my federal check at a "local" bank up to the lake where I spend a good 7 months out of the year.. They were more than happy to do so - for $50..

I said, "No thanks.." - and sent it back home with my son-in-law to deposit in my regular checking account down here..

 

[Carrieannew]

Nope I dont have a bank account right now. And I really dont plan on getting one just yet. I know it goes against the norm. And thats ok. But it works for my current situation. So im not interested in opening one. My question was more of would any bank cash it? Im not understanding to much why not its from the IRS.

 

[ericamanda01]

I think Bank of America can cash it, but I believe it can't be over a certain amount. I would call your local branch and see what they can do for you.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

My question was more of would any bank cash it? Im not understanding to much why not its from the IRS.

Check around and ask.

Banks have silly rules for everything and I would agree that that is probably one of them.

 

[C.Ann]

I think Bank of America can cash it, but I believe it can't be over a certain amount. I would call your local branch and see what they can do for you.

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When my van was totaled last year, the insurance pay-out to me was written on an account from Bank of America, but because I didn't have an account there they wouldn't cash it..

Don't they trust their OWN bank to have the money to cover it??

 

[Anne MN]

Our Walmart cashes goverment and payroll checks up to $1000.00 with a max fee of I think $4.00.

 

[Carrieannew]

I did heard that about walmart. But my is over that amount.

 

[Nancy]

Do you know anyone with an account that could maybe cash it for you? I cash my daughters checks against my account all the time. My store cahses payroll checks all the time (for a $1.00 fee) but we do not cash any state or federal returns. Mainly because of the dollar limit and not feeling right about putting limits on the size we will accept.

 

[Christine]

Without getting an account, you are probably going to a have a problem with a large check. The banks want to have someone "accountable" in case the check is a fake. If they give the cash and then, 3 days later, find out it's a fake, they are out of the money and no way to find you. They want an account so that if something goes wrong they can come back to you.

My guess is that you are going to have to pay some sort of fee. Do you have a relative that you can endorse it over to and have them deposit it in their account?

 

[kbkids]

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When my van was totaled last year, the insurance pay-out to me was written on an account from Bank of America, but because I didn't have an account there they wouldn't cash it..

Don't they trust their OWN bank to have the money to cover it??

Really?? Now, that is strange.

To the OP, I would suggest finding someone willing to cash it for you. When I worked in banking, we would cash government checks for anyone - but that was 10 years ago, and some of the things I'm encountering now with my own bank are just too strange to me and really don't make a lot of sense. So, not sure if they would still do it or not.

 

[horseshowmom]

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When my van was totaled last year, the insurance pay-out to me was written on an account from Bank of America, but because I didn't have an account there they wouldn't cash it..

Don't they trust their OWN bank to have the money to cover it??

I've had a bank tell me that before too. The check was on their bank, and that bank was closer than mine, so I went through their drive thru to cash it. Since I didn't have an account there, they wouldn't cash it. It didn't make any sense to me at all. The customer was giving me money, but they wouldn't cash their own check...

 

[kdibattista]

I've had a bank tell me that before too. The check was on their bank, and that bank was closer than mine, so I went through their drive thru to cash it. Since I didn't have an account there, they wouldn't cash it. It didn't make any sense to me at all. The customer was giving me money, but they wouldn't cash their own check...

That happened to me too at PNC Bank.

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

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When my van was totaled last year, the insurance pay-out to me was written on an account from Bank of America, but because I didn't have an account there they wouldn't cash it..

Don't they trust their OWN bank to have the money to cover it??

Ditto here. DH's payroll check is drawn on Citizens Bank. He went there to cash his check because it was convenient to work compared to our bank. they wouldn't cash it without a credit card as ID, which he does not carry.

I suggest opening a free checking account with the smallest possible deposit. It's still your money and you can access it whenever YOU want to after that. You don't have to order checks when you open it and you don't have to get an ATM or debit card.

 

[C.Ann]

My suggestion is going the third party route too - having someone else cash it through their account.. Only problem is I specifically remember some checks saying they couldn't be cashed that way(it's written on the back), but I can't remember if it was income tax checks or not..

Anyone have one already that they can quick take a look at?

 

[mickeyfan2]

To cash a tax return some banks want you to have an account and all people named on the return (if joint) need to be present.

 

[Carrieannew]

Thank you everyone. It looks like im left with little choices. Most likely will be just opening an account and going it that route. Thanks!

 

[icebrat001]

You can sign the check over to someone and then they can give you the money. It may take a couple of days to clear though.