Can I Cash A Cheque From The HMRC At The Post Office?

If you have recently received an HMRC cheque, you may be wondering if you can cash it at your local post office. In this blog post, we will discuss whether or not you can do so, as well as explore other possible options to cash a cheque from the HMRC.

Can I Cash A Cheque From The HMRC At The Post Office?

Yes, you can cash a cheque from the HMRC at a UK post office under the following conditions:

  • the amount will be transferred to your bank account as long as they are affiliated with the post office
  • you cannot receive cash from the post office against the amount mentioned in your HMRC cheque

Among some other banking services, post offices provide a convenient and reliable service for cashing HMRC cheques. This can be done either over the counter at a local branch or online using the Post Office’s website. 

Banking services such as cashing a cheque are available free of cost at post offices across the UK for customers for most leading banks such as Clydesdale, RBS, Natwest, Halifax, Bank of Scotland, TSB, HSBC and Barclays. 

When cashing an HMRC cheque at the Post Office, you will need to provide your bank account details to receive the payment. You may also be required to provide proof of identification, such as a valid passport or driving licence, depending on the amount of the cheque. 

Once the payment has been processed, the funds should appear in your bank account within three to five working days. It is important to remember that you will not receive any cash when cashing an HMRC cheque at a Post Office. 

Individuals who are unable to cash their HMRC cheque on their own (this can be either due to old age, a health condition or a disability), can authorise someone else to do it for them. Generally, the person you authorise will need to take the cheque to a post office or bank and deposit it into your bank account.

If you want to learn more about banking services offered at post offices or need to check if your bank is affiliated with them (the post office claims that they can serve customers of 99% of UK banks), you can view the complete list of affiliated banks and banking services offered by the post office in this online list.

How Else Can Can I Cash A Cheque From The HMRC?

In addition to having your cheque cashed through the nearest post office, you can also avail of any of the following options; depending on which one is convenient for you:

  • Local Bank or Building Society: This is the most commonly practised method of cashing a cheque. If you have a bank account, you can avail of this service free of cost by visiting their branch. If you wish to avail of the service from a bank where you don’t have a bank account, you will have to pay a nominal fee to cash your cheque.
  • ATM Machines: If you want to skip a visit to the bank, you can also use an ATM for cheque cashing; provided that it offers these services. This is a self-service option that can be availed by paying a service fee.
  • Cheque Cashing Provider: You can also cash your HMRC cheque by going to a registered cheque-cashing provider. You will need to carry proof of your identity when you visit them and will be charged a small fee for their services.
  • Retailer: A lot of large retailers including supermarkets and department stores can also help you in cashing a cheque. You can check if a nearby retailer offers cheque cashing service.

Can I Cash A Cheque From The HMRC Online?

You may be able to cash a cheque online provided that the bank where you hold an account offers this service. You can call your bank’s helpline to ask them if you can cash your cheque online and then follow the instructions they provide.

If you have a mobile banking application installed, you can also check the app for the option of cashing a cheque and then follow these steps:

  • Once you have logged into your mobile banking account, you should select the “deposit cheque” option on the screen. If this is the first time that you are using a mobile banking application, you will first need to set up your account.
  • Next, you will need to choose the account into which you want the cheque to be paid. If you have multiple bank accounts, you should choose the one into which you need the money to be transferred into.
  • Then, you will be asked to enter the exact value that is mentioned on the cheque and reference details (purpose of the payment).
  • At the next step, you will need to tap on the “front of cheque” option so that you can scan the cheque, by allowing camera access of your mobile to the application. Repeat the same step with the “back of cheque” option.
  • In the end, you will simply need to review the details and then confirm the deposit.

Conclusion:

The above discussion helps to conclude that if you have received a cheque from the HMRC (usually for a tax refund), you can cash your cheque at a local post office. However, you must keep in mind that the post office will only be able to transfer the amount to your bank account and will not offer you cash against the HMRC cheque.

References:

Banking services people can do at any Post Office counter including cash withdrawals and depositing cheques – Daily Record

How to Cash a Cheque in the UK

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