topic Is it mandatory to have a U.S. bank account for refund? in After you file

Is it mandatory to have a U.S. bank account for refund?

GeoffreyBer97 — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 13:18:44 GMT

Hi everyone, I am not an American citizen and will soon leave the U.S.

I worked here for six months and I know I will have to file my taxes in 2024 because I worked a few months in 2023.

I will likely get a refund next year and I wanted to ask the following question, do I need an American bank account in order to receive my refund?

I ask this question because I do have one at Wells Fargo but I will lose my phone number associated with that account when I leave the country and I must keep at least $500 on it for several months in order to avoid paying monthly fees.

I do have a Wise Digital currency wallet that can hold multiple currencies including dollars. It even has an account and routing numbers. Do you think I can use that wallet to receive my next refund instead of my Wells Fargo bank account?

Thank you very much!

Re: Is it mandatory to have a U.S. bank account for refund?

xmasbaby0 — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 16:43:49 GMT

If you do not have a U.S. based bank account, the only way to receive your refund is by check. The IRS will not make a direct deposit to a foreign bank account. They will only mail a check to the address on your tax return, and it will be up to you to cash/deposit that check.

Re: Is it mandatory to have a U.S. bank account for refund?

GeoffreyBer97 — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 16:46:24 GMT

Thank you for taking the time to answer my question.
My concern with the check method is that I don't know if my European bank will accept a U.S. check.

Regarding my digital currency wallet, it has everything a bank account has, rooting number, account number, U.S. address. So it is more convenient to me if I can receive my refund on that wallet. Are you sure it doesn't work? 😕

Re: Is it mandatory to have a U.S. bank account for refund?

xmasbaby0 — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 16:50:20 GMT

Try contacting the "digital wallet" customer service and find out if a U.S. Treasury direct deposit can be accepted. If it cannot be accepted, then your refund would be refused and sent back to the IRS, and then the IRS would have to issue and mail you a check.

Re: Is it mandatory to have a U.S. bank account for refund?

GeoffreyBer97 — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 16:51:42 GMT

Thank you very much. That's what I've just done. I'm waiting for their answer.