Bank of America will cash a tax refund check if you have an account there, but not if you don't
Bank of America cashes tax refund checks for its own customers at no charge. If you have a checking or savings account with them, you can walk into any branch with your refund check and a valid ID, and they will cash it on the spot. The money goes into your account when ready, or they can give you cash.
If you do not have a Bank of America account, they will not cash your tax refund check. Bank of America does not offer check-cashing services to non-customers, even for government checks. This is their standard policy across all branches.
The reason matters: banks limit check-cashing to account holders because they absorb the risk if a check bounces or turns out to be fraudulent. A tax refund check from the IRS is low-risk, but Bank of America applies the same rule to all checks.
Key Takeaways
- Bank of America customers can cash tax refund checks for free at any branch with a valid ID.
- Non-customers cannot cash checks at Bank of America, regardless of whether the check is from the IRS.
- If you do not have a Bank of America account, you will need to use a different method to cash your refund check.
- The IRS itself does not cash checks; you must go through a financial institution or check-cashing service.
What you need to cash a refund check at Bank of America
Bring your tax refund check and a valid government-issued ID. Bank of America accepts a driver's license, passport, military ID, or state ID card. The name on your ID must match the name on the check.
If the check is made out to two people (for example, a married couple filing jointly), both people must be present with valid ID. If the check is made out to you and your spouse but only one of you is cashing it, Bank of America will not process it.
You do not need to have the check deposited into your account. You can ask for the full amount in cash, though some branches may ask how you plan to use a large amount of cash. This is a standard anti-money-laundering question and does not prevent you from cashing the check.
How long it takes to cash a refund check at Bank of America
The process takes about 10 to 15 minutes if you are cashing it at a branch where you have an account. The teller will verify the check, confirm your ID, and process the transaction. You walk out with cash or a deposit to your account the same day.
If you are depositing the check into your account instead of taking cash, the funds are available when ready for Bank of America customers. You can withdraw them the same day or use a debit card right away.
Tax refund checks from the IRS are not subject to the holds that banks sometimes place on personal checks. Because they come from a government source, Bank of America treats them as cleared funds.
What to do if you do not have a Bank of America account
Your options are a check-cashing service, Walmart, or opening a bank account. Check-cashing services are the fastest route if you need cash when ready. They charge a fee—usually between 1 and 3 percent of the check amount—but they cash most checks within minutes.
Walmart cashes checks at the customer service desk in most locations. They charge a flat fee (usually $3 to $6 depending on the check amount) and do cash tax refund checks. You need a valid ID and the check must be made out to you.
If you do not want to pay a fee, opening a bank account is free at most banks and credit unions. Many offer accounts with no minimum balance and no monthly fee. Once your account is open, you can deposit your refund check and withdraw the money when ready. This takes longer than a check-cashing service—you need to wait for the account to be approved, which can take a few minutes to a few hours depending on the bank—but you pay nothing.
Why Bank of America does not cash checks for non-customers
Banks limit check-cashing to account holders to manage fraud risk and operational cost. When a bank cashes a check for someone without an account, they have no way to recover money if the check bounces or is fraudulent. They also have no customer relationship to enforce if something goes wrong.
For a tax refund check from the IRS, the fraud risk is extremely low. The IRS does not issue bad checks. But Bank of America applies the same policy to all checks—personal, business, and government—rather than making exceptions for specific types.
This is not unique to Bank of America. Most major banks (Chase, Wells Fargo, Citibank) have the same policy. Some smaller banks and credit unions may cash checks for non-customers, but it is not standard practice.
How to verify Bank of America's current check-cashing policy
Call your local Bank of America branch directly at the number on their website or on the back of a Bank of America debit card. Ask whether they cash tax refund checks for non-customers. The answer will be no, but calling confirms there have been no recent changes to the policy.
You can also visit a branch in person and ask. A teller can tell you when ready whether you can cash your check there, and if not, they can sometimes point you toward a check-cashing service nearby.
Bank of America's official website does not list check-cashing services for non-customers, which confirms the policy applies across all branches.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cash a tax refund check at Bank of America if I just opened an account?
Yes, as long as the account is fully open and active. If you opened the account online and it is still pending verification, you may need to wait until the account is confirmed. Call the branch to ask whether your account is ready to use for cashing checks.
What if my tax refund check is made out to my business, not my personal name?
Bank of America will not cash a business check unless you have a business account with them. If you have a personal account only, you cannot cash a business check there. You would need to open a business account or use a check-cashing service.
Can Bank of America cash a tax refund check if it is damaged or torn?
It depends on the damage. If the check number, amount, or signature is illegible, Bank of America will likely refuse it. If the damage is minor and all key information is readable, they may cash it. Bring it to a branch and ask; they can tell you in seconds whether it is acceptable.
Do I have to deposit the check into my account, or can I take all cash?
You can take all cash if you want. Bank of America will not require you to deposit it. However, they may ask what you plan to do with a large amount of cash—this is a standard question and does not prevent you from cashing the check.
What if the name on my ID does not match the name on the check exactly?
The names must match. If you recently changed your name and your ID reflects the new name but the check has your old name, you will need to bring documentation of the name change (marriage certificate, court order) or contact the IRS to reissue the check in your current name.