If you’re interested in receiving your income tax refund faster this year, the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance has a suggestion – the debit card.

Last year, for the first time, the Department offered its income tax refund debit card as an option to paper checks for taxpayers who qualified for a refund.  More than 60,000 New Yorkers took advantage of the debit card in the first year. 

“The refund debit card is secure, cost efficient, and easy to use,” said Commissioner Thomas H. Mattox.  “Taxpayers, even those without bank accounts, can take it to any bank and withdraw the entire amount.”

Debit cards for tax refunds can reduce incidents of checks stolen from mail boxes.  Taxpayers can also avoid check cashing fees.  And, if a debit card is lost, it is protected against all unauthorized transactions.  Replacement cards are free. 

The card is accepted for purchases at all businesses that accept Debit MasterCard nationwide without fees or surcharges.  It can be used for online purchases, in retail stores and for purchases over the telephone.  You can also use it to pay bills. 

The card, which can also be used to withdraw cash from an ATM, is activated by telephone.  There are fees for certain ATM transactions if they are made at locations that aren’t part of the bank’s network of ATMs.

For more information

• Watch a video on income tax refund debit cards
• Read page 34 of this year’s Instructions for filing individual income tax forms
• Follow the Tax Department on Twitter and YouTube