Anyone Using Green Dot Bank for 2024 Tax Refunds?
Been doing some research on direct deposit options since my divorce finalized and I need to set up new accounts. I noticed Green Dot was popular for tax refunds in previous years, but haven't seen many mentions for 2024 filing season. Has anyone used them this year for their refund? Looking for real experiences before I make a decision. I'm comparing a few different options and want to avoid any processing delays.
21 comments


Lydia Santiago
Have you considered what happens if Green Dot has issues with the IRS direct deposit system? Wouldn't you rather use a more established bank that has a proven track record with tax season deposits? I used Green Dot back in 2022 and had my refund delayed by almost 2 weeks compared to my spouse who used a traditional bank. Just something to think about when you're already dealing with post-divorce financial stress.
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Romeo Quest
I used to recommend Green Dot, but not anymore. Back in 2022, they were decent with tax refunds, but last year was a nightmare. My refund got held up for review because their routing numbers triggered some kind of IRS verification process. Had to call Green Dot three separate times, and each representative gave me different information. Would strongly suggest looking at online banks like Ally or Capital One instead.
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Val Rossi
•I can empathize with this experience. According to IRS Publication 5027, certain financial institutions undergo additional verification processes during tax season. Green Dot falls into this category as they're primarily a prepaid card provider rather than a traditional bank. When I went through my divorce in 2021, I opted for a credit union account instead and had zero issues with my refund processing.
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Eve Freeman
•Just to provide some technical context: Green Dot Bank is actually a legitimate FDIC-insured financial institution (FDIC #35419) that offers deposit accounts. The delays some users experience aren't necessarily because they're less legitimate, but rather because their accounts are flagged more frequently in the Automated Fraud Detection System (AFDS) used by the Treasury Department. This is due to historical patterns of fraud with some prepaid products, not necessarily an issue with Green Dot specifically.
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Clarissa Flair
•Has anyone actually received their 2024 refund through Green Dot yet? I'm slightly worried because I already set this up and wondering if I should call the IRS to change it?
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Caden Turner
•OMG I used Green Dot last year and it was AWFUL!! My refund got stuck in processing for 3 weeks and when I called Green Dot they kept saying it was the IRS's fault, then when I called IRS they said it was Green Dot's issue! Never again! 😡 Just opened a regular checking account at my local credit union and it's been so much less stressful for this year's taxes!
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McKenzie Shade
I would generally advise caution when using non-traditional banking options for tax refunds. The IRS systems tend to process direct deposits more efficiently with established financial institutions. If you're experiencing difficulty reaching the IRS to discuss deposit options, you might consider using Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) to connect with an agent quickly. I've observed that many clients who needed to change their direct deposit information were able to do so more efficiently after speaking directly with an IRS representative, particularly when dealing with alternative banking products like Green Dot.
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Harmony Love
•• Is this service really necessary? • Couldn't you just call the IRS directly? • How much does this cost compared to just waiting on hold? • I'm trying to be budget-conscious with my refund
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Rudy Cenizo
•Thank you for mentioning this! I think I might actually need this service. I've been trying to reach someone at the IRS for the past week or so to change my direct deposit info (I initially put my old joint account by mistake), and it's been virtually impossible to get through. Might be worth the fee just to stop stressing about it.
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Natalie Khan
•Does Claimyr work for all IRS phone numbers, or just the main customer service line? I need to speak with someone specifically in the Refund Department about my direct deposit information.
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Daryl Bright
Tbh I've had better luck w/ Credit Unions this yr. Green Dot was OK in prev yrs but for 2024 filing szn, lots of ppl reporting delays. I switched to local CU and got my refund in 14 days vs 22+ last yr w/ Green Dot. Their app is decent but their cust svc is overwhelmed rn. If ur recently divorced, might want smthng more stable. Just my 2 cents.
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Sienna Gomez
•What specific delays are people experiencing with Green Dot this year? Are we talking about verification holds or actual technical issues with the deposits?
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Kirsuktow DarkBlade
I was considering Green Dot but decided against it after researching. Here's what I found: • Many online complaints about delayed tax refunds • Higher fees compared to traditional banks • Limited customer service options • Some users reporting account freezes during tax season I'm so relieved I went with my credit union instead. My refund was processed without any issues and deposited 2 days earlier than the IRS estimated date.
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Abigail bergen
I waited exactly 37 days for my refund through Green Dot last year. This year I switched to a local credit union and received my refund in 18 days. The IRS deposited my refund on March 12th, 2024, which was actually 2 days earlier than the estimated date they gave me. If you're recently divorced and setting up new accounts, I'd strongly suggest looking at credit unions - many offer new member bonuses right now too.
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Ahooker-Equator
I used Green Dot for my February 3rd filing this year and had no issues - refund was deposited on February 21st. Last year when I filed on January 28th, it took until March 15th with the same bank. I think timing matters more than the bank sometimes. What specific concerns do you have about Green Dot? Have you checked if they've changed any policies for the 2024 tax season?
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Anderson Prospero
Using Green Dot for tax refunds is like using a plastic fork for a steak dinner - it might work, but it's not designed for the job. I tried them last year and it was a headache. My refund got stuck in their processing system like a car in quicksand. Every time I called, I got different answers. Finally switched to a regular bank this year and my refund arrived like clockwork, no drama.
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Callum Savage
I've been using Green Dot for my tax refunds for the past 3 years and honestly, the experience has been mixed. 2022 was smooth - got my refund in about 10 days. 2023 was terrible - took almost a month with multiple holds and confusing customer service calls. This year (2024) I decided to give them one more chance and filed on February 15th. My refund was deposited on March 5th, so about 18 days which is better than last year but still slower than friends using traditional banks. If you're going through a divorce and need reliable access to your refund, I'd honestly recommend looking elsewhere. The stress of not knowing when your money will arrive isn't worth it when you're already dealing with major life changes. Credit unions seem to be the way to go based on what others are saying here.
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Miles Hammonds
•Thanks for sharing your 3-year experience with Green Dot - that's exactly the kind of real-world data I was looking for! The inconsistency you describe (10 days in 2022, a month in 2023, 18 days in 2024) is concerning, especially since I need predictability right now. You're absolutely right about not adding financial stress during major life changes. I think I'm leaning toward opening a credit union account based on all the feedback here. Did you end up switching for next year, or are you sticking with Green Dot?
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Sean O'Brien
•@Miles Hammonds I m'definitely switching next year! Already opened an account at a local credit union last month. The inconsistency with Green Dot just isn t'worth it anymore, especially when you factor in their customer service issues. The credit union I chose has a track record of processing tax refunds within 7-10 days consistently, plus they offer way better interest rates on savings accounts. Given your situation with the divorce, I d'really recommend making the switch now rather than waiting. You don t'want to be stuck dealing with delayed refunds when you re'trying to get your finances sorted out.
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Fatima Al-Qasimi
I've been following this thread closely since I'm in a similar situation (recently divorced, need new banking setup). Based on everyone's experiences shared here, it seems like Green Dot's performance is really inconsistent - some people get their refunds quickly while others face significant delays and customer service headaches. For those mentioning credit unions as alternatives, could you share which specific ones you've had good experiences with? I'm looking for institutions that have consistently fast processing times for tax refunds and good customer service. Also, are there any minimum balance requirements or fees I should be aware of when opening new accounts specifically for tax purposes? The last thing I need right now is financial uncertainty, so reliability is my top priority over convenience features. Thanks to everyone who's shared their real experiences - it's been incredibly helpful in making this decision.
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AstroAce
•@Fatima Al-Qasimi I completely understand prioritizing reliability during such a major life transition. From what I ve'researched, Navy Federal Credit Union and Alliant Credit Union consistently get high marks for tax refund processing - usually 7-10 business days. Local credit unions also tend to be excellent since they have fewer members and can process deposits more efficiently. Most credit unions have minimal fees often ($5-25 to open and) low minimum balances $25-100 (.)I d'suggest calling a few in your area and asking specifically about their tax season processing times. Some even guarantee refund deposit timelines. The peace of mind is definitely worth avoiding the Green Dot uncertainty that others have described here.
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