Can my wife sign my tax check?

Question

If you are married can my wife sign my tax check and if she does how much trouble can she be in.

Answer 1

When I was married I deposited numerous income tax refund checks with only my signature. Both of our names were on the checks. The banks never refused it, nor did the IRS.

Answer 2

I am not certain what your question actually means? Do you want her to sign the check or did she sign it without your knowledge?

The law requires a bank (or an check cashing agent) to require proof of identity. In the case of a joint tax refund check both people are supposed to be present when it is cashed. And, yes that means a deposit too. If she signed your name without your knowledge, that is fraud.

However, if you are asking how she can sign it legally...that would require a power of attorney. And, this can be as limited or broad as you choose to make it.

Answer 3

One further item beyond what Russ B. said. Some banks are now getting quite annoying in that such a check MUST be signed by both parties and MUST be deposited into a JOINT account.

In the past I also had simply deposited such joint checks with just my signature into my own account. About 4 years ago the bank started to insist that both signatures be used (thankfully spouse just signed) to deposit such checks into my own account. A few months ago, it took me 4 attempts to deposit the joint check with both signatures before I found a teller that did not insist on the above JOINT account stipulation.

Answer 4

Unless she has power of attorney, no, you have to sign it yourself.

If she signed it and you want to push it, she can be in a lot of trouble.