Income Tax Refunds (money, fees, deposit, checks)

[bagster]

What's the advantage of a State sending your tax refund via debit card? Why not just stick with an old fashioned check? It worked for years.

[mathjak107]

Those without bank accounts would be charged check cashing fees ... on the other hand those with accounts can simply have it direct deposited , this is 2019 , no reason for not using direct deposit and still wanting an archaic check unless you have no account. The cards are for those with no account

[Quietude]

It's also flexible and can be changed after issue, unlike a check. But mostly because the debit card providers have successfully lobbied states and other agencies to use their system. And because it promotes spending the money rather than saving it.

[RationalExpectations]

Originally Posted by Quietude

But mostly because the debit card providers have successfully lobbied states and other agencies to use their system.

This.

[ChessieMom]

Originally Posted by bagster

What's the advantage of a State sending your tax refund via debit card? Why not just stick with an old fashioned check? It worked for years.

No one can steal a check out of my checking account like they can my mailbox.
And direct deposit is lightning fast. No checks for me thanks.

[mathjak107]

Originally Posted by ChessieMom

No one can steal a check out of my checking account like they can my mailbox.
And direct deposit is lightning fast. No checks for me thanks.

we have such a big issue in parts of the city with mail box fishing that the precinct advises not to put any mail with checks in them .... they are slowly going to a new style box and changing them .