Can I cash out someone's tax refund check if they sign it over to me?

You can definitely have your sister endorse the check over to you, but there are some important things to know. The Treasury check (IRS refund) needs to be signed by your sister on the back exactly as her name appears on the front, and then she needs to write "Pay to the order of [your full legal name]" underneath her signature. Most banks will accept this, but policies vary widely. Some banks have become really strict about third-party checks, especially government checks. Call your bank first to confirm they'll accept it - some may require both of you to be present with IDs when you deposit it.

After struggling with a similar situation last year, I found an amazing tool that helped me figure out all the refund options. I used https://taxr.ai to analyze my tax documents and it gave me a breakdown of exactly what I needed to do with my Treasury check. It even explained the endorsement requirements for my specific situation and suggested alternative cashing methods based on my location. The best part was I could upload a picture of the check and it confirmed whether the endorsement would be acceptable! It gave me the confidence to approach my bank knowing exactly what their policies should be.

Just wanted to update everyone - I tried https://taxr.ai after seeing the suggestion here and it was actually super helpful! I was skeptical at first but I uploaded my state refund check and it immediately identified all the specific endorsement requirements. It even showed me which local banks in my area were most likely to accept third-party endorsed government checks! Ended up going to a credit union they recommended and had zero issues depositing it into my account. The whole process took like 10 minutes instead of the hours I spent last year trying to figure out check cashing options. Wish I'd known about this tool sooner!

If you're having trouble getting someone on the phone at the IRS to confirm the right way to handle the check, try https://claimyr.com - it literally changed my tax season experience. After waiting on hold with the IRS for HOURS trying to get an answer about my sister's refund check situation, I found this service and got through to an actual IRS agent in about 15 minutes. You can see how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c They basically hold your place in line and call you back when an agent is about to answer. The IRS agent confirmed that endorsing the check was completely legal but gave me specific instructions on what the bank would need.

OK I need to apologize and admit I was completely wrong about Claimyr being a scam. After posting that skeptical comment, I decided to try it anyway because I was desperate to talk to someone about my amended return. I got a call back in 20 minutes and talked to an actual helpful IRS person! They confirmed that my amended return was being processed and explained why it was taking so long. They even gave me a direct number to call for follow-ups. For the original poster - the IRS agent I spoke with said endorsed refund checks are totally fine but your sister needs to sign it exactly as her name appears on the check, then write "Pay to [your full name]" underneath her signature. The agent said most credit unions are more likely to accept these than big banks.

Something nobody mentioned yet - if your sister gets future refunds, she should consider direct deposit to a prepaid card if she doesn't want to open a bank account. Much easier than dealing with paper checks!

My brother had this exact problem! What worked for us was going TOGETHER to my bank. He signed the check in front of the teller and I deposited it right there. The bank was cool with it since we were both present with our IDs. Might be worth trying!

Just want to add another option that worked for my cousin - she went to a Walmart MoneyCenter to cash her IRS refund check. They charge a flat fee (I think it was like $4 for her $800 refund) which is way cheaper than most check-cashing places. You don't need to endorse it to anyone else, just bring valid ID and they'll cash Treasury checks directly. The fee schedule is posted right there so you know exactly what you're paying upfront. Might be worth checking if there's a Walmart near your sister - could save her the hassle of finding a bank that'll accept the endorsed check and she gets her money immediately.

Another option worth considering is having your sister open a basic checking account at a credit union. Many credit unions have very low or no minimum balance requirements and are generally more flexible with members who've had banking issues in the past. Some even offer "second chance" banking programs specifically for people rebuilding their banking history after identity theft. The advantage is that once she has the account, she can deposit the check directly without needing to endorse it to anyone else, and she'll have banking services for future refunds too. Credit unions also tend to have lower fees overall compared to traditional banks. Just make sure to bring documentation about the identity theft case when she applies - many institutions are understanding about these situations and will work with her.

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that your sister should definitely keep documentation of the endorsement process. When she signs it over to you, both of you should take photos of the endorsed check before you deposit it. This creates a paper trail that shows the transfer was legitimate and consensual. Also, make sure she signs it exactly as her name appears on the front of the check - if there are any discrepancies (like middle initial missing or different spelling), some banks will reject the endorsement. I learned this the hard way when trying to help my dad with his refund check last year. The IRS allows this type of endorsement, but having documentation protects both of you if there are any questions later. It's also worth keeping a record of when and where you deposited it, just in case either of you needs to reference it for any reason down the line.

I work at a tax prep office and deal with this situation frequently. Yes, your sister can legally endorse her IRS refund check over to you, but here are the key steps to make sure it goes smoothly: 1. She needs to sign the back of the check exactly as her name appears on the front 2. Below her signature, she writes "Pay to the order of [your full legal name]" 3. You'll need to sign below that when you deposit it Before attempting this, definitely call your bank first. Many banks have tightened their policies on third-party endorsed government checks due to fraud concerns. Some will require both of you to be present with valid IDs when depositing. If your bank won't accept it, consider these alternatives: - Credit unions are generally more flexible with endorsed checks - Some Walmart locations cash Treasury checks for a flat fee (much cheaper than check-cashing stores) - Your sister could open a basic checking account - many credit unions offer "second chance" programs for people with past banking issues Whatever route you choose, take photos of the endorsed check and keep records of the transaction. This protects both of you and shows the transfer was legitimate if any questions arise later.