The IRS issues quicklyCARES Act refundable discountfrom USD 1200 per adult and USD 500 per child. While many receive their checks by direct deposit, millions will receive paper checks in the mail.
The IRS sends out paper incentive checkswhen the agency cannot make an electronic deposit. AFDIC-investigation 2017an estimated 25% of U.S. households have no or no bank account.
If this describes you or someone you know, what can you do? Where to redeem your incentive check if you don't already have onecheck accounts?
You have several local options for cashing your incentive check without opening a bank account orprepaid debit card.
MORE FROM FORBES. Sorry, There's No $2000 Incentive Check - See What's Next By: Jim Wang
Walmart
Withdrawal Fee: Up to $8
Your most convenient option may be your local oneWalmart. Most Walmart Supercenters and some neighborhood markets have check cashing services.
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Checks over $1,000 are capped at $8. Plan for an $8 cashing fee, as most incentive checks are worth at least $1,200. If you happen to have an incentive check worth less than $1,000, your redemption fee is only $4.
It is possiblecash up to $7,500 in individual checks at Walmart through July 31, 2020.. A married couple with up to ten children can still cash in their incentive payment at Walmart and stay under the $7,500 limit.
Keep in mind that on August 1, Walmart is lowering the check cashing limit to $5,000.
Bring your check and valid ID to the Money Service Center or customer service. A Walmart employee can deposit a balance into a Walmart MoneyCard. There are no issue fees or reload fees and you can use this card to make purchases at Walmart.
Your MoneyCard is subject to a $5.94 monthly fee after June 30, 2020. If you deposit at least $1,000 in new money each month, this fee will expire.
Supermarket
Withdrawal Fee: Between $0 and $6
Select supermarket chains can cash in large balances, including your incentive check or tax refund.
Your best option might be Kroger
These Kroger brands will redeem your incentive check for free:
- You cry
- Fry's
- Koning Sooper
- Smithova
- City market
- QFC
- Ralphov
- Bundles
- Material
- Dillons
- Pay less
- Fred Meijer
- Select 'N Save'
- Subway market
You may only be able to cash checks up to $5,000 at the stores listed above. Call ahead if your incentive check is more than this amount.
Other stores may charge a check cashing fee of up to $6 to your incentive check. Some stores can only cash checks under $500.
Most stores should allow you to cash the check amount. You have the flexibility to buy groceries or pay for other necessities.
Check checkout stores
Cash compensation: up to 3%
Most cities have at least one check cashing store that also offers payday and title loans. This check cashing service may be your best local option when your nearest Walmart or grocery store doesn't cash checks.
You get cash, and these stores have a cash limit of up to $5,000 per check. Some locations can also deposit your money into a prepaid card.
Most stores charge between 2% and 3% for cashing government checks. A family of four could pay $102 (3% cost) or $68 (2% cost) for a $3,400 stimulus check.
Because costs can vary widely, it pays to compare rates if you have several options.
PayPal
Payout costs: free
PayPalthe check cashing fee is temporarily waived. (usually 1% for government checks) to access your money in minutes. This fee waiver applies to incentive checks, tax refunds, and pre-written paychecks. Each check must be $5,000 or less to be cashed through PayPal.
Cashing a check through PayPal can be the easiest option because you can cash it from home. All you need is a smartphone with a working camera and the PayPal app (iOSofAndroid).
You must be able to access the PayPal app from your smartphone. Click "More" and then "Cash Check". As a final step, take a picture of the front and back of the check with your phone.
With PayPal, you can create a free PayPal Cash Plus account if you are using their advanced money services for the first time.
You can use your PayPal credit for these transactions with a PayPal Cash Plus account:
- Online shopping
- Withdraw money from Walmart using the PayPal app
- Shop locally with PayPal Cash Mastercard
- Withdrawals via the PayPal app
PayPalalso cashes other personal checks. However, you'll need to wait up to 10 days to access your funds if you want to avoid check cashing fees.
Cash-app
Payout Fee: Varies
If you don't use PayPal, the Cash app is a popular alternative. Since this is a newer app, the Cash app doesn't have the extensive feature set that PayPal does.
Cash App reports that it will launch a mobile check deposit option in early 2020, but has not disclosed whether there will be any fees associated with cashing government checks. This feature launch might be the perfect time to cash in your incentive check.
If you are still waiting for your paper incentive check, there is a good chance that you canreceive your incentive funds electronically. The Cash app provides bank details such as a routing number and account number that you can enter at the tax authorities.Receive my paymenttool.
Inge money
Cash compensation: up to 1%
Ingo Money is another online check cashing service that can access your money in multiple ways:
- Voucher card
- Transfer to your PayPal account
- Buy Amazon.com gift cards
- Withdraw money from local Money Gram agents
- Pay off your credit card balance
The processing fee is only 1% on all incentive checks over $500 through June 30, 2020, as all users are eligible for Ingo Gold Preferred pricing through June 30, 2020. The fee rises to the standard 2% in July if you want immediate access at your expense.
Ingo will waive the withdrawal fee if you are willing to wait up to 10 days for the funds to be released. If you select this option, you will need to make a deposit to your PayPal account or prepaid card.
Most prepaid cards work with Ingo Money.
Grid expenses
Cash compensation: up to 2%
Grid expensescan be a good choice if you want to put your incentive check on a prepaid card. You can use the card for local purchases and top up the card balance in local shops.
Expect to pay 2% (or a minimum of $5) of the incentive check amount for expedited processing. There is no charge for standard mobile check processing, which can take several business days.
Netspend offers pay-as-you-go and a monthly subscription. Each subscription has its own set of purchase and reload costs. If you don't have a card yet, Netspend can send you a free card.
Local bank
Payout Fee: Varies
Some physical banks cancash checks for non-customers. Banks are more likely to cash a government check like your incentive. You must also confirm that the bank will cash checks over $1,000.
If one of the banks in your city cashes your check, be aware of their collection fees for non-customers. Some banks may charge a flat fee of up to $8. Other banks may charge a percentage of the check balance, similar to check cashing.
You will need to contact your local branch to find out what check cashing fees they charge.
If you choose to cash your check at the bank, you can increase your efforts by opening a bank account. Open onefree checking accountgives you access to incentive payments via debit card while avoiding the usual bank charges.
Several merchants are temporarily waiving their check cashing fees while the IRS issues incentive checks. This fee waiver keeps more money in your pocket. These options make it easy to use your money for local or online purchases.
Additional funds
How to find incentive checks offered by state and local governments
What to do if you have not yet received your stimulus check
Beyond stimulus control: 5 little-known benefits of the CARES Act
Proposal: The next $4,000 stimulus check could be a skills training tax credit
Receive a notification the day your stimulus check arrives
The $2,400/month benefit that no one is talking about
Where you can redeem your incentive check without a bank account
The Stimulus Check Prepaid Debit Card is not 100% free - read more about these charges
How to simplify your money during the coronavirus crisis
FAQs
Where can I cash my stimulus check without a bank account? ›
- Cash it at the issuing bank (this is the bank name that is pre-printed on the check)
- Cash a check at a retailer that cashes checks (discount department store, grocery stores, etc.)
- Cash the check at a check-cashing store.
- Local Bank or Credit Union. Even if you don't have a bank account at the moment, you can still seek a local bank or credit union to cash your stimulus check. ...
- Local Merchants. ...
- Check Cashing Store. ...
- On Your Smartphone. ...
- Frank Gogol.
The number one way to get your refund check is to open a prepaid debit card account. You can use the prepaid debit card to receive direct deposits from the IRS. Accounts like Bluebird by American Express and Walmart allow the cardholder to receive direct deposits for $0.
How do I cash a certified check without a bank account? ›You can usually cash a cashier's check at the issuing bank, regardless of the amount it's drawn for once you endorse it, even if you don't have an account there. Alternatively, it's possible to cash a cashier's check at a check-cashing store, but there might be a fee.
Can I cash my stimulus check on cash App? ›You can have paychecks, government stimulus payments, tax refunds and unemployment benefits deposited directly into Cash App.
Can I cash my stimulus check through mobile deposit? ›Mobile deposit is easy, just: Make sure to endorse your stimulus payment check. You must endorse the back of your check and print “For Mobile Deposit at Call Federal” or “For MDC at CFCU”.
Can Walmart cash my stimulus check? ›Walmart will charge a small fee to cash stimulus checks
You need to bring your stimulus check and a valid ID to the customer service desk or the Money Services center at Walmart.
You may cash and deposit pre-printed payroll or government checks at Walmart.
Can stimulus checks be cashed at Walmart? ›Walmart, for example, will cash a government check of up to $5,000. Their fee is $4 for a check up to $1,000; $8 for a check above that amount. You can also have the amount of your stimulus check added to a Walmart "MoneyCard," (opens in new tab) which is a prepaid debit card.
Can you receive IRS refund on Cash App? ›Square's Cash App, PayPal and Venmo payment platforms all permit receipt of government stimulus funds and tax refunds.
Can I deposit tax refund into Cash App? ›
Some filing services guarantee that your taxes will be 100% accurate, and we do too.¹ We make sure everything looks good the whole way through to help you max out your refund. Also, if you deposit your refund into Cash App, you can get it up to 6 days faster compared to many banks.
Can I deposit my tax refund check to Cash App? ›Deposit paychecks, tax returns, and more to your Cash App balance using your account and routing number. You can receive up to $25,000 per direct deposit, and up to $50,000 in a 24-hour period.
Can you cash a check at an ATM? ›Cashing a Check at an ATM
It's a little less straightforward than taking it to a bank, but you can cash a check at an ATM, too. Not every ATM will enable this option, though; some will only allow you to deposit the check and some don't offer check deposits at all.
Banks issue both certified and cashier's checks. Usually you have to go into a branch, but some online banks may offer cashier's checks online or by phone. With a certified check, the teller will earmark the amount the check is written for, so it remains available when the check is cashed or deposited.
How do I cash a check online? ›With mobile check deposit, all you typically need to do to deposit your check is take a picture of it using your bank's app. Your bank may have specific instructions or requirements around endorsing a check for mobile deposit, but generally the process is fairly straightforward.
Can someone cash my stimulus check? ›If you were one of the Americans who received economic impact payments that other people in your life might need more, you might wonder if you can endorse your stimulus check to someone else to cash. According to Citizens Bank, the answer is no.
Can I cash my stimulus check on Venmo? ›How to cash your stimulus check through the Venmo app. Tap Cash a Check and follow the onscreen prompts to verify your account information.
What checks do Cash App accept? ›Cash App Check Requirements and Fees
To use Mobile Check Capture, the check must be: In your possession and written out to either you or jointly to you and another person. From a U.S. bank or financial institution. Denominated in U.S. dollars.
Write “Pay to the Order of” and the third party's name below your signature. It's important to write the name of the person that you are signing the check over to in the endorsement area under your signature. This signals to the bank that you are endorsing the transfer of ownership for the check.
Can I mobile deposit someone else's stimulus check? ›Yes, it is possible to deposit your friend's check in your account. To do so, they must endorse it with their name, include "Pay to the order of" and write your name.
How do you endorse a stimulus check for mobile deposit? ›
Sign your check, then below it, write “Mobile Deposit or e-deposit.” Be sure to include the date and member number.
Can I cash my stimulus check at Walgreens? ›What Kinds of Checks Can You Cash? Walgreens will cash payroll and government-issued checks for up to $2500 per day, but this service is not available in all states.
Can I cash my stimulus check at CVS? ›Since you cannot cash your check at CVS, the only alternative is to use other retailers who offer check cashing services. For example, you can cash your check at Walmart, which accepts various checks, including retirement, 401(k), payroll, cashier, government, tax refund, insurance, and more.
How long do you have to cash a stimulus check? ›Most stimulus checks were sent as electronic transfers to bank accounts, but when the IRS did not have a recipient's direct deposit information, it mailed a paper check. Like all payments checks sent from the U.S. Treasury, if those checks are not cashed within one year, they expire. There's good news, though.
What checks can be cashed at Walmart? ›- Government checks.
- Payroll checks from a payroll service like ADP.
- Tax refund checks, including state or federal refunds.
- Insurance settlement checks from an established insurance company.
- Distribution checks from 401(k) or other retirement plans.
- Pre-printed checks.
You do not need to register or have a bank account to cash your check at Walmart. All you require is a check and a valid government-issued photo ID. Walmart charges $4 to cash a check $1000 or lower and $8 to cash a $1000 check up to a limit of $5000.
What kind of checks can Walmart not cash? ›- Handwritten checks.
- Personal checks.
- Checks with multiple payees.
- Checks dated more than 180 days prior.
- Post-dated checks.
- Non-MoneyGram money orders.
- MoneyGram money orders not issued at Walmart.
Up to $4 fee to cash pre-printed checks up to $1,000. Up to $8 fee to cash pre-printed checks above $1,000 and up to $7,500.
What bank does IRS use? ›If you choose to have your software fees taken out of your refund, your refund will be sent by the IRS to Republic Bank, and then it will be deposited to your account.
How do I cash a stimulus check for someone in jail? ›To cash another person's stimulus check this way, you will need to take their debit card along with their 4-digit pin code. You can then deposit that check for them into their bank account with their debit card at an ATM. Once the check hold has cleared, you can withdraw the money as cash.
Can I endorse my stimulus check to someone else to cash? ›
One of your options is to sign the check over to someone else. Because the check is currently payable to you, you'll need to ensure that the third party and their bank can accept a signed-over check, also known as a “third-party check,” and endorse the check by signing the back of it.
Where can I cash a United States Treasury check for free? ›Bank or credit union
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.
What services are available at Walmart MoneyCenters? Cash your payroll or government checks, including tax refund checks, at Walmart stores. Max $4 fee for cashing checks of up to $1,000; max $8 fee for cashing checks over $1,000 and up to $5,000 (or $7,500 during tax refund season).
How much does it cost to cash a $1400 check at Walmart? ›Up to $4 fee to cash pre-printed checks up to $1,000. Up to $8 fee to cash pre-printed checks above $1,000 and up to $7,500. Up to $3.74 fee to withdraw up to $1,000 off a debit card.
Can I put someone else's stimulus check in my account? ›The answer to “can you deposit someone's check in your account” is yes. Still, there are different processes to be aware of depending on your bank and the payee.
Can I deposit my paper stimulus check in someone else's account? ›The answer is yes, generally speaking. It's possible to deposit checks on behalf of another person into their bank account or in some cases, your own bank account. Banks and credit unions may allow you to deposit checks for someone else when certain conditions are met.
Can the post office cash a U.S. Treasury check? ›Treasury checks, not more than 1 year old, may be cashed at Post Offices and postal retail units provided that sufficient funds are available.
Can you mobile deposit U.S. Treasury checks? ›The following check types should not be processed using Mobile Deposit: US Treasury checks. Checks including travelers checks, that are drawn on banks located outside of the United States.
Does Walgreens cash government checks? ›What Kinds of Checks Can You Cash? Walgreens will cash payroll and government-issued checks for up to $2500 per day, but this service is not available in all states. They also offer check-cashing services for other checks such as personal checks, insurance drafts, money orders, and cashier's checks.
What do I need to cash my stimulus check at Walmart? ›Walmart will charge a small fee to cash stimulus checks
You need to bring your stimulus check and a valid ID to the customer service desk or the Money Services center at Walmart.
Can you cash government checks at Walmart? ›
You may cash and deposit pre-printed payroll or government checks at Walmart.
What is the largest check Walmart will cash? ›The largest two-party personal check you can cash at Walmart is $200. For all other types of checks, the maximum amount is $5,000 from May through December and $7,500 from January through April.
Will Walmart cash stimulus checks? ›Go to Walmart (or Another Store that Cashes Checks)
Some large retailers will cash your stimulus check for you. Expect to pay a fee, though. Walmart, for example, will cash a government check of up to $5,000. Their fee is $4 for a check up to $1,000; $8 for a check above that amount.
You do not need to register or have a bank account to cash your check at Walmart. All you require is a check and a valid government-issued photo ID. Walmart charges $4 to cash a check $1000 or lower and $8 to cash a $1000 check up to a limit of $5000.