URGENT – Missing Tax Refund & Foreclosure Risk

[twankie36]

Hello TurboTax Support Team,

I filed my taxes using TurboTax and opted for the 5-day early refund option. According to the IRS, my refund was scheduled for deposit on 2/26/25, but TurboTax attempted to send it to my bank on 2/21/25. However, my bank closed my account on 2/19/25 for unknown reasons.

On March 3rd, I contacted the IRS to check if my refund had been returned to them. They provided me with a routing and account number linked to Cross River Bank. Unfortunately, Cross River directs me to TurboTax, and TurboTax directs me back to Cross River—leaving me with no answers.

This situation is urgent as I am at risk of losing my home to foreclosure. I need immediate clarification on:

Where exactly are my funds?
Can the refund be issued as a check or re-routed to a working bank account?
What steps do I need to take to access my money?
I paid TurboTax for a service, yet I cannot get a clear response about the status of my refund. I need a direct answer or for someone to escalate this matter and investigate ASAP. Please help me resolve this before it’s too late.

Looking forward to a prompt response.

Thank you,
MLauderdale

[polanco198]

The same exact same thing happened to me... Cross River Bank send me a check but I can't cash it out anywhere...on Monday I'm going to new Jersey branch 

[CatinaT1]

Your refund will be mailed to you since the deposit was rejected by the bank. @twankie36 

@polanco198  It seems some checks are not being cashed by certain financial institutions because they exceed the limits in place by that particular company.  In some situations, these checks are being referred to as fraudulent; however, they are not.  Make sure the name on your check matches the name on your bank account. Try to go to your local bank to open an account so you can deposit the check.  Some banks will allow you to open an account but will retain a small portion of the deposit until the check clears.  Another option is to find a bank that can cash large checks without any restrictions.

[twankie36]

Do you have an approximate date of when it will be mailed out? And is there a number that I can call directly to speak to someone directly?

[MonikaK1]

Your refund has to be mailed because the bank you entered for the direct deposit rejected it. This situation is completely outside the control of TurboTax. Assuming this is your Federal refund, IRS is responsible for issuing a check if the bank won't accept the refund.

If the delay is causing hardship:

You can call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to get answers to your federal tax questions 24 hours a day.

You could also try contacting the Taxpayer Advocate Service. The Taxpayer Advocate Service is an independent organization within the IRS and is your voice at the IRS. Their job is to ensure that every taxpayer is treated fairly, and that you know and understand your rights as a taxpayer. They offer free help to guide you through the often-confusing process of resolving tax problems that you haven't been able to solve on your own. Remember, the worst thing you can do is nothing at all.

TAS can help if you can't resolve your problem with the IRS and:

• Your problem is causing financial difficulties for you, your family, or your business.
• You face (or your business is facing) an immediate threat of adverse action.
• You've tried repeatedly to contact the IRS but no one has responded to you, or the IRS hasn't responded by the date promised.

@twankie36 

[JotikaT2 · Accepted solution]

Thank you for reaching out to us. We understand you are encountering issues with cashing your TurboTax Up to 5 Days Early tax refund check. We are committed to ensuring you access your refund swiftly and smoothly. Please rest assured that your check is legitimate and contains several security features to facilitate a hassle-free deposit.

Tips to deposit (we recommend depositing your check to avoid delays) or cash your check:

• Deposit at a bank: Depositing your check into your bank account is preferred over cashing it. Check-cashing locations may charge fees and be less likely to cash large checks like tax refunds.
• Name Matching: For bank deposits, ensure the name on your check matches the name on the bank account where you intend to deposit it.
• Bank Holds: Your bank may place a temporary hold on the funds until the check clears. This is a standard bank policy and is not an indication the check is fraudulent. We have no control over this process. 
• Bank and check cashing limits: Many banks and check cashing locations have maximum limits on check amounts they will cash. Ask your bank or check-cashing location what their limit is prior to visiting to determine whether you can cash it there.
• Check Cashing Tips: The person(s) whose name(s) are on the check must be present and present ID to cash the check. For example – if a check name says “John Doe and Jane Doe” on it, then both John Doe and Jane Doe need to cash the check together in person. Each person must bring a valid government-issued identification card – driver’s license, passport, state-issued ID card.
• Enhanced Security: This check is issued with the highest security standards. If your bank or check-cashing service has any concerns, they can verify it directly with Intuit by calling 1-800-780-9247. A dedicated team is available to assist with verification.
• Check Returns: If your check is uncashed after 90 days, we will void your check and return your refund to the IRS. You may then work directly with the IRS to receive your tax refund.

Your refund check contains security features to ensure a hassle-free deposit, including:

• Magnetic ink that's only readable by special check cashing machines.
• Reflective ink shows hidden words if the check is copied.
• Images on the check that disappear if the check is copied.
• Microtext printed on the check that is too small to see with the naked eye, and too small to be copied or scanned.
• Check background printed with special ink that fades to white when copied and bleeds when it comes in contact with liquids.
• Special test strips that react to check washing chemicals such as acetone.

We appreciate your patience and understanding during this period.