How to Cash a Federal Income Tax Refund Without a Bank Account

Most banks will only cash federal tax refund checks for customers, but you don't need a bank account to cash your federal income tax refund check. Millions of Americans that receive tax refunds are without bank accounts. In fact, Business Insider revealed that an astounding 2 billion people around the globe do not have bank accounts. Fortunately, you can bypass the bank and still get your money.

You can sign a federal tax refund check over to a family member to be cashed or deposited into his account. Depending on the bank's policy, it might require the check to clear before your relative can access the funds.

You'll need to sign the check over to your relative by endorsing the back and writing the words "Pay to the order of," followed by his name. He will also need to sign the check. Although there are no rules preventing you from signing over a government check, the IRS discourages having your refund deposited directly into an account that's not in your name.