Cannot cash tax refund check

[Avery Cates 1,141]

After reading this thread I was worried as I haven't added her to my accounts yet, but I checked this morning and both state and federal refunds were in there.

I must be special.

[Jon and Krissy 452]

Chase sounds terrible. Glad you were able to resolve this by going to another bank. We filed electronically these past couple of years, and had the money direct deposited into Sol's account - which I am not even on - and this was not an issue....

[StarGirl 13]

I work at the bank and I see the problem you are having. This is so called a third party check and it is at the discretion of the manager of the branch to make an exception for their policy. I suggest you talk to the branch manager and explain the whole situation, and if that fails, make an ATM deposit after your husband signs the check, or do a mobile deposit if this option available at your financial institution.

[Caryh 5,206]

RUN! Run as fast as you can away from Chase! "Ladrones" like they say in Spanish, lol!! (The same applies for Bank of America... ruuuuunnn!!!)

I am glad that you found HSBC. I was going to suggest Wells Fargo because they were very flexible with me.

Good luck on your journey!

After running into repeated issues with my bank, we also switched to Wells Fargo. I opened the new accounts without my wife being there, with no issue at all. They did give me a signature card to have her sign and return.

[Avery Cates 1,141]

I work at the bank and I see the problem you are having. This is so called a third party check and it is at the discretion of the manager of the branch to make an exception for their policy. I suggest you talk to the branch manager and explain the whole situation, and if that fails, make an ATM deposit after your husband signs the check, or do a mobile deposit if this option available at your financial institution.

Most things can be resolved by talking to a branch manager or assistant branch manager.

[milimelo 4,477]

W8-BEN plus copy of his passport bio page should be enough to add him to the account without having to show up in person.

[Caryh 5,206]

Most things can be resolved by talking to a branch manager or assistant branch manager.

While I agree in most cases this is true, you shouldn't need to have to go to the branch manager very often. When it gets the point you find yourself regularly needing to discuss issues with him, its time to change banks. My old bank was getting that way, and I finally had to say to myself, why am I living with this aggravation? My former bank has regularly made attempts to get my business back, but I'm quite happy with my new bank.

[Schulley 20]

I thought I would give everyone an update. I sent an online secure message asking if power of attorney was enough to add him to my account remotely and closed with "Please get back to me as soon as possible because I'm meeting with my lawyer to discuss my legal options tomorrow afternoon." The Chase corporate office called me back at 8:00AM the next morning and said that I just need to fax them our notarized power of attorney form, and once their lawyers said it was legit, I could add him to my account and cash the check. They were pretty clear that they didn't want me going back to the branch (because I think they can tell the branch manager is an idiot). I got the power of attorney form specific to my state (West Virginia) from my lawyer the same day. My spouse is going to get the power of attorney notarized at the U.S. embassy in Panama on Tuesday, and then he'll fax it directly to their corporate office. I'll post an update on here once we get it done in case this helps anyone in the future with a similar problem.

Things are looking bright. Now, I can focus again on the immigration waiting game...

[Caryh 5,206]

I thought I would give everyone an update. I sent an online secure message asking if power of attorney was enough to add him to my account remotely and closed with "Please get back to me as soon as possible because I'm meeting with my lawyer to discuss my legal options tomorrow afternoon." The Chase corporate office called me back at 8:00AM the next morning and said that I just need to fax them our notarized power of attorney form, and once their lawyers said it was legit, I could add him to my account and cash the check. They were pretty clear that they didn't want me going back to the branch (because I think they can tell the branch manager is an idiot). I got the power of attorney form specific to my state (West Virginia) from my lawyer the same day. My spouse is going to get the power of attorney notarized at the U.S. embassy in Panama on Tuesday, and then he'll fax it directly to their corporate office. I'll post an update on here once we get it done in case this helps anyone in the future with a similar problem.

Things are looking bright. Now, I can focus again on the immigration waiting game...

This still begs the question, why are you banking with a bank that makes things this hard on you?

Glad you found a solution though.

[emmaface 12]

I'm sure glad my bank didn't have this issue. I amended my 2013 taxes with a W7 for my husband in March since I filed as Single in January when I didn't know about the ITIN process - then last Friday, I got the paper check for a big chunk of sweet MFJ change with both our names on it, and his name isn't on my account. Thankfully, I didn't have an issue depositing it.

Local credit unions all the way - I've used both BofA and Chase before, I couldn't stand them. Such a hassle. I <3 my credit union!

[Schulley 20]

Hi all. I eventually got it resolved. The corporate office basically made the local branch do it. We were able to add him to the account and cash the check finally with the legal power of attorney. The branch manager was still evil, but the assistant branch manager just ignored her objections and did it anyway. It only took 6 weeks to solve.

[Caryh 5,206]

Hi all. I eventually got it resolved. The corporate office basically made the local branch do it. We were able to add him to the account and cash the check finally with the legal power of attorney. The branch manager was still evil, but the assistant branch manager just ignored her objections and did it anyway. It only took 6 weeks to solve.

Wow way too long. Why do you continue to bank with them?

[BBCC 16]

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Edited June 25, 2014 by BBCC