Yes, you must sign the back of your refund check before you can deposit or cash it
Your signature on the back of the check is what tells the bank that you are the person the check was written to and that you want to deposit or cash it. Without your signature, the bank will not process it. This is true for all checks, not just tax refunds.
The bank needs your signature because it protects both you and the bank. If someone else tried to cash your check without permission, your signature would not match theirs, and the bank would catch it. Your signature is proof that you authorized the transaction.
Key Takeaways
- You must sign the back of your refund check in the designated area before depositing or cashing it.
- The signature area is usually a white box on the back of the check, near the left edge.
- If you have a joint refund with a spouse or partner, both people named on the check typically need to sign it.
- If you cannot sign the check yourself, you can authorize someone else to sign it on your behalf by writing "Pay to the order of [their name]" above your signature.
- A bank will reject an unsigned check and return it to you, which delays your access to the money.
Where to sign on the back of the check
Turn the check over to the back side. You will see a white box or a line that says "Endorse here" or shows a signature line. This is where you sign. Sign your name the same way it appears on the front of the check — if the IRS printed "John Michael Smith" on the front, sign it that way on the back, not as "J.M. Smith" or "Johnny Smith."
Sign in pen, not pencil. Use black or blue ink. Do not sign above the box or in the wrong area — banks have machines that scan checks, and a signature in the wrong spot may not read correctly.
What happens if both names are on the check
If your refund was filed jointly with a spouse or partner, both names will appear on the check. In most cases, both people named on the check need to sign it. The bank's policy determines whether both signatures are required or whether one is enough, so ask the teller when you go to deposit it.
If you and your spouse are depositing the check together, you can both sign at the bank before handing it over. If one person is depositing it on behalf of both, that person should ask the bank first whether they need the other person's signature or a written authorization.
If someone else needs to deposit your check for you
If you cannot go to the bank yourself, you can authorize someone else to deposit the check. Write "Pay to the order of [their full name]" on the back of the check above the signature line. Then sign your name below that line. This is called a third-party endorsement.
Not all banks accept third-party checks, so the person depositing it should call their bank first to confirm they will take it. Some banks have stopped accepting them because of fraud concerns. If your bank does not accept third-party checks, you will need to sign the check yourself and go to the bank in person, or you can ask the IRS to reissue the check in the other person's name.
What to do if you already cashed or deposited an unsigned check
If you somehow deposited an unsigned check, the bank would have rejected it at the time. The check would be returned to you, and you would need to sign it and resubmit it. This is why it is important to sign before you hand the check to the teller or insert it into a mobile deposit app.
If you used mobile deposit through your bank's app, the app usually requires you to photograph both the front and back of the check. The app will show you the image and ask you to confirm it is signed. If you forget to sign before taking the photo, you can sign the check and take a new photo before submitting it.
Mobile deposit and signing requirements
Many banks now let you deposit checks by taking a photo with your phone through their mobile app. You still need to sign the back of the check before you photograph it. The app will ask you to take a picture of the front and back, and it will check that the back shows your signature in the right place.
After you submit the mobile deposit, write "Mobile deposit — do not deposit" or "Deposited" on the front of the check in large letters. Keep the physical check for at least 30 days in case the bank needs to verify it. Do not try to deposit the same check again at an ATM or in person.
Common mistakes to avoid
Do not sign the front of the check. The front is where the IRS printed the amount and the date. Your signature goes only on the back. Do not sign in pencil or with a marker. Do not sign in a different name than what appears on the front — if you go by a nickname but the check has your legal name, sign your legal name.
Do not leave the signature line blank and assume the bank will accept it. Do not write anything else on the back of the check besides your signature and any required endorsement. Extra writing can confuse the bank's scanning machines and cause the check to be rejected.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I sign the check but spell my name differently than it appears on the front?
The bank may reject it or ask you to sign again. Sign your name exactly as it appears on the front of the check. If your legal name has changed since you filed your taxes, contact the IRS and ask them to reissue the check in your current legal name.
Can I deposit someone else's tax refund check if they sign it and give me permission?
Only if the check is made out to you or if they write "Pay to the order of [your name]" and sign it. If the check is made out only to them, most banks will not let you deposit it into your account, even with their permission. They would need to deposit it themselves or contact the IRS to reissue it in your name.
What if I lost my refund check before I could sign it?
Contact the IRS right away. You can report it lost or stolen by calling the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 or by filing Form 3911, Taxpayer Statement Regarding Refund. The IRS can issue you a new check or deposit the refund directly into your bank account instead.
Do I need to sign a check if I am depositing it through an ATM?
Yes. Sign the back of the check before you insert it into the ATM. The ATM will scan the back to verify your signature is there. If it is not, the ATM will reject the check.
Can I use a digital signature or sign with a stylus on my phone?
No. You must sign the physical check with pen and ink. A digital signature or stylus signature on a photo does not count. Sign the actual check before you photograph it for mobile deposit or hand it to the bank teller.