Virtual bank account?

Hi all,

My joint account has just notified us they no longer accept international cheques. This is how I've received the additional child tax benefit refund over the previous years made out to me and my wife. Now, I won't be able to deposit that cheque. I don't have a US bank account or US address (although I have my US driver's license registered at my parent's US address).

Does anyone know how to get around this? I was looking at virtual bank accounts that can receive US money, such as "Wise" apparently. Does anyone have any experience with this, or any suggestions?

Many thanks for any help.

Hi all,

My joint account has just notified us they no longer accept international cheques. This is how I've received the additional child tax benefit refund over the previous years made out to me and my wife. Now, I won't be able to deposit that cheque. I don't have a US bank account or US address (although I have my US driver's license registered at my parent's US address).

Does anyone know how to get around this? I was looking at virtual bank accounts that can receive US money, such as "Wise" apparently. Does anyone have any experience with this, or any suggestions?

Many thanks for any help.

I have a Wise USD account even though I live in England and don’t have a US address. I have it connected to my US brokerage account to transfer funds from my Roth IRA. Once it arrives in my US Wise account I transfer it to my UK bank account.

Thanks for the reply. Do you know if you can supply the details to the IRS and they will deposit any refund due in such an account?

Thanks for the reply. Do you know if you can supply the details to the IRS and they will deposit any refund due in such an account?

I've not tried that, but I expect that it will work as the routing and account numbers translate to an account in your name.

You can get a State Department Federal Credit Union account:

https://www.americansabroad.org/sdfcu_rev2025


It's a real US bank account. You can deposit checks using their phone app. You get a debit card which is useful when visiting the US.

You can get a State Department Federal Credit Union account:

https://www.americansabroad.org/sdfcu_rev2025


It's a real US bank account. You can deposit checks using their phone app. You get a debit card which is useful when visiting the US.

Yes the State Department FCU is a good option and transfers are done with Wise. The easiest way to qualify for the account is to join ACA which is $600 for a lifetime membership.

Thanks for the reply. Do you know if you can supply the details to the IRS and they will deposit any refund due in such an account?

I have a WISE USD account and my Social Security Retirement payment is made into it each month as regular as clockwork - shouldn't be any different for the IRS.

WISE uses a US correspondent bank: Community Federal Savings Bank in Woodhaven. (could be different for others)

I have a WISE USD account and my Social Security Retirement payment is made into it each month as regular as clockwork - shouldn't be any different for the IRS.

WISE uses a US correspondent bank: Community Federal Savings Bank in Woodhaven. (could be different for others)

Great to know. I opened Wise USD accounts when HSBC USA starting closing non-premier accounts. Should they decide to get out of the checking account business then I know I have a good backup for my IRS payments/refunds.