topic Hello! I am currently living in Turkey. I cannot log in to my bank account in America. Can I deposit my tax refund to someone else's(my friend’s account) bank account? in Get your taxes done using TurboTax

Hello! I am currently living in Turkey. I cannot log in to my bank account in America. Can I deposit my tax refund to someone else's(my friend’s account) bank account?

sevketboyatan — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 10:24:10 GMT

Re: Hello! I am currently living in Turkey. I cannot log in to my bank account in America. Can I deposit my tax refund to someone else's(my friend’s account) bank account?

DoninGA — Thu, 29 Feb 2024 21:18:52 GMT

If your name is not also on the account the bank will reject the deposit and send the refund back to the IRS. The IRS will then send a refund check to the address on the tax return.

Re: Hello! I am currently living in Turkey. I cannot log in to my bank account in America. Can I ...

TomK2023 — Thu, 29 Feb 2024 21:19:49 GMT

While there are no IRS rules that specifically forbid you from depositing your refund into someone else's account, we don't recommend it.

Most banks have fraud-prevention measures that won't allow a direct deposit into an account with a different name.

If you decide to enter someone else's account information anyway, chances are the bank will reject the IRS's direct-deposit request because the name on the refund (yours) doesn't match the account holder's.

The IRS will then have to re-process the refund, cut a check, and send it by mail. You'll (eventually) get your refund, but it'll take longer than it would have taken had you requested a check refund in the first place.

Re: Hello! I am currently living in Turkey. I cannot log in to my bank account in America. Can I deposit my tax refund to someone else's(my friend’s account) bank account?

Ecenurcifci — Fri, 23 Jan 2026 03:00:47 GMT

Hello Şevket, I’m experiencing exactly the same problem. I’m currently in Turkey, I don’t have a U.S. bank account, and I have no idea how I can receive my refund. How did you solve this issue? Which method did you use to get your money? Please, explain it to me as well, I’m in a really desperate situation. Did you use your friend’s bank account? If so, did it work?

Re: Hello! I am currently living in Turkey. I cannot log in to my bank account in America. Can I ...

DaveF1006 — Fri, 23 Jan 2026 13:15:04 GMT

No. The IRS and banks have strict anti-fraud measures that prevent banks from depositing checks that aren't in the name of an account holder. There are alternatives you may wish to consider.

Services like Wise or Revolut provide you with a U.S. routing and account number. You can often set these up while living in Turkey, and the IRS treats them as valid U.S. accounts. Check them out.

wise.com

revolut.com

@Ecenurcifci