Hello all, I have a question about getting my refund. Every year our tax refund is pretty much spent before we even have it. In an effort to try and be more responsible with the spending of our refund I decided that I was going to have my refund deposited on a prepaid card. So, I went to Walmart and got the Bluebird American Express card, got it set up and used the routing and account number for that card to have my refund direct deposited onto. Well, today was the date I was supposed to get it deposited and I received an e-mail from the Bluebird "bank" stating that they do not accept deposits from government agencies. I guess money from the governement isn't good enough. So, I called the IRS and they said they would issue a paper check and it would take 2-4 weeks for me to receive it. My question is, has something like this ever happened to anyone, and is the 2-4 weeks an accurate time frame to receive a paper check from this point? I just want to cry, I was having dreams last night about paying off some bills with that money. :-(
So, I called the IRS a few times since my original post just to check on things, and everytime I called I received a different response to my stuation as far as a time frame goes. But, I am happy to report that a paper check is being mailed out today 2/25/2013 for my refund. So, total time for me will be about 3 weeks. Most IRS reps gave a time frame average of around 6 weeks. So if you know anyone in the future who's direct deposit refund was rejected by their bank hopefully 3 weeks will be their wait time as well... Live and learn.
I never tried to deposit on a card, but I did have paper checks issued before and they were always timely with the checks. A little closer to the 4 weeks but never longer. Good luck!!
Totally wierd that they don't accept money from the government. I wouldn't have guessed that...
One, yes that is how long a paper check takes. That is why most people efile.
Second, most prepaid cards will not take government checks because of fraud. If they accept your refund, and you filed a fraudulent return, the government takes their money back and the issuer of the card is out the money since you already spent it.
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They only way you can get a prepaid card is if the person who did your taxes offered it. They then have the ability to verify your return.
I have no idea how it works, but I just wanted to give you some encouragement....its so hard when things just don't work out sometimes. You are not alone!
Aww that sucks. Do you have a bank account? If so, maybe you can call them back and give them your bank info and they can change it. I would think if they told you 2 to 4 weeks then that would be an accurate time frame, they probably overestime rather than underestimate. Good luck!
M.:
Yep...that's the "red tape" for you- they have to go back through and edit your refund....yes, it should be as simple as a few key strokes, but it's not.
The cards like that have the terms & conditions on the back. Did it state no government agency deposits allowed? If it did not - then I would push back and tell them that's not what their rules stated. And if they still say no - i would get any money that I put into it back.
For me? I wouldn't have used a pre-paid card. Get a budget in place and a priority list for your refund. A pre-paid card isn't going to stop you from spending the money. And if the debt you were going to pay off with that card were to other credit cards? They most likely wouldn't have accepted it anyway...but what do I know...I haven't had a credit card in 7 years. And when I did have credit cards it was checks and money orders and if I paid on-line? It was checking account routing numbers not credit card.
Good luck!! I hope you get the check sooner rather than later!
I'm really sorry this happened to you.
I'm also really sorry to tell you this, but if they tried to make a deposit and couldn't, I can't imagine they will be so efficient as you actually get you off a paper check right away. It can take months to get a check.
I believe the IRS is offering a certain type of prepaid card...maybe check into that for next year.
2-4 weeks is generally the time frame for paperchecks. I always have mine deposited in my bank account. I did the prepaid card one year and it was a joke. It's another way to get a few dollars out of people.
I e-file and have my tax refund direct deposited into my savings account.
The IRS is using a general 21-day timeframe this year, so 2-4 weeks for a paper check sounds reasonable.
If you have a big refund due to over-withholding, make sure to adjust your W4s so that you get more in your paychecks throughout the year.
