Deposit your tax refund check at your bank, credit union, or through mobile deposit if your institution offers it
A tax refund check from the IRS or your state tax authority can be deposited like any other check. You have three main routes: walk into a branch, use an ATM, or photograph it with your phone through mobile deposit. The fastest method depends on what your bank or credit union supports and whether you need the money immediately.
Before you deposit, endorse the back of the check by signing your name on the line marked "Endorse here." Some banks ask you to write your account number below your signature. If someone else is depositing it on your behalf, you may need to sign it and have them add their signature and account number as well — policies vary by institution.
The check itself is valid for six months from the date printed on it. After that, the IRS or state will not honor it, and you will need to request a replacement.
Key Takeaways
- Sign the back of the check before depositing it, and include your account number if your bank requires it.
- Mobile deposit through your bank's app is usually the fastest option if your institution supports it, taking one to two business days to clear.
- In-person deposits at a branch or ATM are also available and may clear the same day or within one business day.
- Tax refund checks expire six months after the date printed on them; request a replacement from the IRS or your state if yours has expired.
- If you lose the check or it is damaged, contact the IRS or your state revenue department for a duplicate.
Mobile deposit through your bank's app
Most banks and credit unions now offer mobile deposit, which lets you photograph the front and back of the check using your phone. Open your bank's app, find the deposit or mobile check feature, take clear photos of both sides of the check, and submit. The system will tell you immediately whether the images are readable.
Mobile deposits typically clear within one to two business days. Some banks offer faster clearing for certain account types or deposit amounts, though a tax refund check is treated like any other check. Weekend and holiday deposits are timestamped when you submit them, so a check deposited on Friday evening will begin processing Monday morning.
Make sure the check is endorsed before you photograph it. The photos must show the entire check clearly — no glare, no fingers covering text, and both sides fully visible. If the image is rejected, the app will tell you why and let you retake it.
In-person deposit at a bank or credit union branch
Walk into any branch of your bank or credit union with the endorsed check and your account number or debit card. Hand the check to a teller along with a deposit slip (many branches have them at the counter, or the teller can provide one). The teller will scan the check and give you a receipt showing the deposit amount and date.
In-person deposits often clear the same day or by the next business day, depending on the time you deposit and your institution's processing schedule. Deposits made after a certain hour (usually 2 or 3 p.m.) may not process until the next business day. If you need the money urgently, ask the teller whether the funds will be available immediately or when they will clear.
You do not need an appointment. If you do not have a deposit slip, the teller will complete one for you. Bring your ID if you are not a regular customer or if the teller does not recognize you.
ATM deposit if your bank offers it
Many banks and credit unions have ATMs that accept check deposits. Insert the endorsed check into the slot, follow the on-screen prompts to confirm the amount, and the machine will scan it and provide a receipt. The check is held in a secure vault and processed by the bank's back office.
ATM deposits clear within one to two business days, similar to mobile deposit. Some banks process ATM deposits faster than mobile deposits, while others treat them the same. Check your bank's website or call to confirm the clearing time for ATM deposits at your institution.
ATM deposits are available 24/7, which makes them useful if you need to deposit outside of branch hours. However, if the machine rejects the check because the image is unclear or the check is damaged, you will need to use mobile deposit or visit a branch instead.
What to do if the check is lost or damaged
If your tax refund check is lost, stolen, or too damaged to deposit, contact the IRS or your state revenue department to request a replacement. The IRS can be reached at 1-800-829-1040 (for federal refunds). For state refunds, search "[your state] tax refund status" to find the correct phone number or website.
Have your Social Security number, the tax year the refund is for, and the refund amount ready when you call. The agency will verify your identity and issue a replacement check, which is typically mailed within two to four weeks. Some states offer faster replacement through their online portals if you can log into your tax account.
If you have already deposited the check and it cleared, you do not need to do anything. If you deposited it and it was rejected by the bank, the check will be returned to you or held by your bank, and you can redeposit it or request a replacement.
How long the check remains valid
A tax refund check is valid for six months from the date printed on it. After six months, the IRS or state will not honor the check if you try to deposit it. The bank will reject it, and you will need to request a replacement from the tax authority.
Check the date on your refund check when you receive it. If you know you will not deposit it right away, set a reminder for five months after the date so you have time to deposit it before it expires. If your check has already expired, contact the IRS or your state immediately to request a new one.
Depositing a check issued to multiple people
If the refund check is issued to you and another person (for example, a spouse or business partner), both of you must endorse it. Each person signs the back of the check on the endorsement line. Some banks require both signers to be present when the check is deposited, while others allow one person to deposit it if both have signed.
Call your bank before you attempt to deposit a two-party check. Ask whether both signers must be present and whether the check can be deposited into an account in only one person's name. If the bank requires both signers to be present, you will need to visit a branch together. If one person can deposit it, make sure both signatures are on the back and the account number is clear.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for a tax refund check to clear after I deposit it?
Most tax refund checks clear within one to two business days of deposit, whether you use mobile deposit, an ATM, or a branch. Some banks clear checks the same day if deposited before a certain time. Contact your bank to ask about their specific clearing timeline for checks.
Can I deposit a tax refund check at any bank, or does it have to be my own bank?
You can only deposit a check into an account in your name at a bank or credit union where you have an account. If you do not have a bank account, you can open one at most banks or credit unions, or you can cash the check at a check-cashing service (though they typically charge a fee).
What if my bank rejected my mobile deposit photo?
The app will tell you why the image was rejected — usually because it is blurry, cut off, or has glare. Take new photos in better lighting, make sure both sides of the check are fully visible, and resubmit. If mobile deposit continues to fail, visit a branch or use an ATM instead.
Do I need to endorse the back of the check if I use mobile deposit?
Yes. Sign the back of the check before you photograph it for mobile deposit. The photo must show your signature on the endorsement line for the deposit to be accepted.
What if the check amount is different from what the IRS or my state said I would receive?
Deposit the check for the amount shown on it. If the amount does not match what you expected, contact the IRS or your state revenue department to ask why. They can explain any adjustments or offsets that were applied to your refund.