How can I cash a jointly tax refund check with both spouse names on it if one spouse live in overseas.

I got a refund check which has my name and that of my spouse who lives abroad. My bank will not accept it because I don't have joint bank account with my spouse. Please can anyone tell me what to do. My spouse lives abroad, never been to U.S before.

Personally I would deposit it thru the electronic system where humans don't look at it.

You can try to have your refund check reissued. Write a letter to the IRS and explain your reason for your request. Include the check. Send the package via certified mail with return receipt requested.

you can also try to call other banks to see what they require, but most would require a joint account as a minimum.

you can't wait 18 months to deposit check.  most banks won't accept a check that's hasn't been cashed for more than 12 months.

if your spouse has a bank account in a foreign country, maybe they can deposit it into the foreign account.  contact the bank first before attempting this. 

Try NOT cashing the check ... deposit it  to your account at the bank and let it process before taking out the money.  On the back write "for deposit only" and add the account number ... and if you can use an ATM or mobile deposit option to bypass a human that may question it then that may be best.

Were you able to finally cash your check? How did you do it? I'm in the same boat! I wrote deposit only on the back and the bank would not accept it...now I have to get the IRS to re-issue the check..I think I'm going to call them and see if they can re-issue it with the word "OR" instead of "AND". So...frustrating. My husband also checked the banks in his country and they will not accept the check.

I had the same problem, tried my bank, Walmart, Kroger’s all no luck, wife had to be present. Then I went to one of those payday loan check cashing places and they did it with no questions asked. A little more of a fee but definitely worth it rather than trying to get it reissued in only my name.

You can sign the check as "For Deposit Only" and put it in a joint account and it would work perfectly with no extra charges.

Yes but the whole point of this thread is assuming there is no joint account, because with a joint account cashing/depositing the check becomes a nonissue. 

Your situation is complex and may require a more complex answer.  To act properly you mat require a Power of Attorney. Many states have an official durable power of attorney form, which is usually a durable financial power of attorney form. Some banks and brokerage firms have their own power of attorney forms. Generally, a financial power of attorney must be signed before a notary public. I'm not sure what qualifies in a foreign country.

This would resolve not only this issue, but perhaps other unforeseen conditions.

I am reading all of the replies in this thread and I will tell you that I have a POA and I still can't deposit the check or cash it. Also,  we requested a direct deposit and the IRS sent us a check. This is frustrating!

Power of attorney doesn't work either because I have one and I can't cash my refund check with mine and my husband's name on it! Plus it's illegal to sign somebody else's name, even with a power of attorney, to any government check... social security, refund check, etc.

Power of attorney does not work!!! I have one for my husband and the banks still want him to come in with ID!!!

You won't be able to cash it, however you can deposit it into your own account, it does not have to be a joint account as long as one of your names on that.  Lots of people do the same thing with no problems. 

Hi, I just wanted to add onto this thread with my experience.

My wife and I filed "Married Filing Jointly" for our 2021 Tax Year. She is still in the midst of the immigration process, so not quite yet a PR. Anyway we received, our check made out to ["PII REMOVED"]. I went to cash it into to my bank account and was told my wife needed to sign it since I dont have a joint account with her.

I called the IRS and requested that they re-issue a check with "Liam OR Sandra" but they said they could not do that.

any updates on what you were able to do? any luck with depositing or cashing this. how are we supposed to do this since we are asked to file joint taxes with our foreign spouses, but then we can't get our refunds in a way we can cash them. 

Hi! If you received a paper check to the both of you I ended up calling the irs they had me get a letter from him stating (as well signed by a notary in his country) stating that he gave the IRS permission to reissue the check in my name only since he was in said foreign country. I did it sent it to the address they gave me and got the check in maybe 6 weeks. Ever since then I get it direct deposited even though he is not on the account and I’ve had no issues. So call the IRS and explain the situation and let them tell you what to do. 

I think my husband either scanned or mailed me his letter so make sure you find out which one is acceptable. It will take some time but you gotta do what you gotta do.