Here are several options if you're getting a refund, but don't have a bank account:
Choose the NetSpend Premier® Visa® Prepaid Card. Put your refund on the NetSpend Premier® Card, a prepaid VISA card can be used everywhere VISA cards are accepted—including online, by phone, and in stores. Learn more
Receive your refund via check. The IRS can mail you a check refund. Please allow 4–6 weeks for delivery. (Note: Some state tax departments don't offer check refunds; TurboTax will let you know if your state is one of them.)
Open a low- or no-cost bank account. That way, you can have your refund direct-deposited, and you'll likely get your refund more quickly than waiting for your check to arrive.
Simply open an account with an online bank, or visit your local bank or credit union to find out if they offer free, low-cost, or Individual Development Accounts (IDAs), which are dedicated savings accounts targeted specifically to lower-income working families.
Once you've opened your account, come back to TurboTax to enter your bank's routing number and account information, and then e-file your return to get your refund as quickly as possible.
What NOT to do
Direct-depositing your refund into someone else's account is risky, for 2 reasons:
- Most banks will reject a deposit from the IRS if the name on the refund doesn't match the account holder's name. You'll get your check refund eventually, but it could take weeks – even months.
- If your refund does slip through or is otherwise accepted by their bank, you may not have any recourse if the account holder refuses to give your money back to you.
