When the Internal Revenue Service issues a tax refund to joint taxpayers in the form of a check, you will receive the check with both of your names printed on it. Because banks have strict regulations for cashing checks made out to two parties, you’ll have a lesson in togetherness as you cash a joint tax refund. As long as you follow your bank’s guidelines, cashing the check shouldn’t pose issues.
Step 1
Call your bank to find out what requirements the bank has for cashing joint tax refunds. Many banks require both parties on the check to be co-owners of a joint bank account. If only one person has an individual account, the bank may require both you and your spouse to visit the bank to endorse the check.
Step 2
Visit your bank and bring your spouse to cash the check according to your bank’s policies. Wait until you are both in the presence of a bank representative before writing anything on the check. Provide your account number to the bank representative to prove you hold an account with the bank.
Step 3
Endorse the check while the bank representative observes, signing the back of the check exactly as your name appears on the front. Wait while your spouse signs the check in the same fashion. Keep your signatures above the line designating the endorsement area on the back left end of the check.
Step 4
Provide signature verification, if requested. The bank representative may ask to see your driver’s license or another identification bearing your signature.
Tips
- The IRS offers direct deposit for taxpayer refunds. Not only is direct deposit the fastest way to receive your refund, according to the IRS, but it also simplifies the process of receiving a joint tax refund. You may direct the IRS to deposit a joint tax refund into either a joint account or an individual account, according to the IRS. Before setting up the direct deposit, contact your bank to make sure that the bank will accept a direct deposit from a joint tax refund into the applicable account. If the bank rejects the IRS direct deposit, it will return to the IRS and you’ll get a joint paper check.
Writer Bio
Kathryn Hatter is a veteran home-school educator, as well as an accomplished gardener, quilter, crocheter, cook, decorator and digital graphics creator. As a regular contributor to Natural News, many of Hatter's Internet publications focus on natural health and parenting. Hatter has also had publication on home improvement websites such as Redbeacon.