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New Member
posted Jun 4, 2019 6:06:54 PM

My treasury cheque doesn’t accept in Malaysia. Can I cancel the cheque and ask for telegraphic transfer to my malaysia bank account .

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16 Replies
Level 15
Jun 4, 2019 6:06:55 PM

No.  A tax refund cannot be direct deposited into a bank that is not in the US.
If you have a local bank account then deposit the check instead of trying to cash the check.  The bank will accept the deposit but put a hold on payment until the check clears.

Level 15
Jun 4, 2019 6:06:57 PM

The IRS will not issue an electronic deposit to a non-US bank account, and they will not accept requests to make electronic payments after a check has been mailed.  (They will re-mail a check if you lose it or damage it.)

You will need to find a bank that accepts US funds.  You may find that a bank will deposit the check and hold it until it clears, but won't cash it right away.  Or you may be able to open a US bank account online or through the mail.  Check with the US embassy or consulate for advice.

Level 2
Dec 18, 2019 7:42:50 AM

Hi,

 

Have you cash out already?

I was facing same issue and I'm able to cash out the US treasury cheque through US bank in Malaysia this year. You may try to get advice from Standard Charted bank or Citibank if you have account with them.  

 

Hope it will helps.

New Member
May 17, 2020 9:40:56 AM

Hi have you figured this out? I'm having a similar problem

New Member
Oct 27, 2020 11:35:19 PM

Hi am having a same problem , just curious can city bank or standard chartered accept this Economic Impact Payment 

Level 15
Oct 28, 2020 6:29:33 AM

As mentioned before on this thread ... a US government check will be accepted however the bank may not cash it right away ... they may require you deposit the check and only have access to the funds once it clears. 

New Member
Feb 15, 2021 9:20:34 PM

Any update, I am facing similar problem?

New Member
Feb 15, 2021 9:23:24 PM

What is the solution?

if the Economic Impact Payment Cheque dated 041120, does it mean 11 Apr 2020? That means it is approaching one year validity?

Level 9
Feb 16, 2021 10:17:39 AM

You are correct, the IRS stimulus check may not be deposited in a foreign bank account, and 041120 means the check was issued on April 11, 2020, which is approaching one year.

 

The best solution is not to cancel the check and request a new one, but to send it back to the IRS, if you can, and take the Recovery Rebate Credit instead. 

 

Here is a TurboTax article about the Recovery Rebate Credit.

Here's how to return the check to the IRS.

 

 

@PKR13683

@Shimamarcy58

@azhar88

@xingyu111

 

New Member
Nov 8, 2021 11:36:29 PM

I'm facing similar issue as I have received a US Treasury checks and I have no idea how to deposit in Malaysia account. can anyone assist?

 

Thank you.

Level 15
Nov 9, 2021 5:24:16 AM

What does your local bank rules actually say ?   Have they absolutely refused a deposit of the check ?

 

You should be able to deposit (not cash) a federal treasury check in a foreign bank ... they may have rules as to how long the hold will be on it before they will release the funds. 

New Member
Feb 17, 2025 7:26:33 AM

I'm also facing this issue in Malaysia where all banks, local and foreign (Standard Chartered, HSBC, CitiBank) do not accept US Treasury Checks. They claim it's been halted for a couple of years now, Maybank told me it was since 2016, HSBC since before Covid. Every bank I walked into asked me to verify with the IRS on whether they can do a wire transfer instead.

Level 15
Feb 17, 2025 7:39:40 AM

The IRS will not make a direct deposit to a foreign bank account.  If you do not have a U.S. based bank account the IRS will only mail a check to the address on your tax return.

 

How do I speak to the IRS internationally?

https://www.irs.gov/help/contact-my-local-office-internationally

 

New Member
May 13, 2025 4:36:31 AM

Have you find the solution? Please let me know as im having similar problem. 

Employee Tax Expert
May 13, 2025 6:47:51 AM

As xmasbaby0 has mentioned, contact the IRS's Taxpayer Advocate service here

Level 15
May 13, 2025 7:29:44 AM

@fff00_ I am not sure why I am being cited as suggesting the Advocate service--since I did not suggest that anywhere in this mostly very old thread.    It seems you are having trouble cashing a U.S. Treasury check.   It may be that your problem stems from not having an actual bank account to which you can deposit your check.  Just walking in to random banks with whom you have no account  and trying to cash a check is often unsuccessful both in the U.S. or elsewhere.   Try to establish a bank account, deposit the check, and then wait for the check to clear.