Where Can I Get a Tax Refund Cashed?

If you hold an account at a financial institution, such as a bank or credit union, you can cash your tax refund check there and avoid fees. If you don't have a bank account, some banks will cash a U.S. Treasury tax refund check for you, but they are not required to do so and will likely charge you a service fee. You must provide valid identification in order to cash the check.

Major retailers, such as Walmart, cash tax refund checks. Some 7-Eleven convenience store locations also offer check-cashing services. Another option is to check with your local grocery retailer, which might offer tax return check cashing services.

Check-cashing stores specialize in cashing checks for customers. Expect to pay a higher service fee if you choose a check-cashing store. Fees are based on a percentage of the face value of the check or a percentage fee plus a flat fee. For example, if you cash a $3,000 check at a store that charges a 1 percent fee -- which equals $30 -- and a flat fee of $8, you would pay $38 to cash the check.

To avoid paying exorbitant fees, research your options first. If you have a bank account, the bank should cash your tax refund check for free. However, if you don't have a bank account, a bank may not be the best option, depending on its fee schedule for cashing checks for non-customers. Compare fees between major retailers and check-cashing stores.