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Oct

2023

Guide to Filling Out a Deposit Slip

Deposit slips are often a basic part of banking, but you may not know how to use them in this era of online financial accounts. Learning how to fill out a deposit slip is a multistep process in which you write down relevant information, including your name, bank account number, and deposit amount, and submit the slip to the bank. When doing so, you’ll list your cash and checks separately.

If you have a wad of cash from earned wages or a particularly lucrative birthday, you can fill out a deposit slip at the bank to deposit the money in your account. Providing the correct information in the right spots will get the funds where they are intended. Using deposit slips is part of managing your checking account.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to fill out a deposit slip to make your next visit to the bank seamless.

🛈 SoFi is an online-only bank and therefore does not provide physical deposit slips.

Steps to Fill Out a Deposit Slip

Before you learn how to fill out a bank deposit slip, it can be a good idea to understand what a deposit slip is anyway.

A deposit slip allows you to deposit cash and checks into your bank account or someone else’s account. It’s a piece of paper that records the amount of money being moved and where it’s going.

Fortunately, the process is straightforward, but filling out the deposit slip can be daunting if you’re unfamiliar. So here’s how to write a deposit slip, simply and properly:

1. Entering Your Personal Details & Today’s Date Slip

The first section of the slip requires your name and bank account number. If you’re depositing money into someone else’s account, know that not all banks allow this.

If it is possible, you’ll write the other person’s name and account number down, and you may need to add your name as well. You’ll also write the current date and probably have to include information about the bank branch you’re using.

2. Inputting The Amount of Your Deposit

Next, you’ll write the amount you’re depositing, counting both cash and checks. All your cash goes in one line on the deposit slip, and each individual check gets its own line.

Recommended: How Long Does Direct Deposit Take?

Optional: List Cashback Required

If you want a portion of the checks you’re depositing to go into your wallet instead of your bank account, you’ll list that portion next. For example, if you have a $50 check to deposit but want half in your pocket, you can write $25 in the designated space to subtract from your deposit.

Then, when you bring your deposit to the bank teller, they’ll hand you $25 and deposit $25 into your account.

3. Listing Each Individual Check Separately

While you’ll lump your cash together in one line, each individual check gets its own line on the deposit slip. For example, if you have a $20 bill and a quarter, you’ll write your deposit as a cash deposit of $20.25. If you also have a $50 check and a $35 check, you’ll list these in their own lines; that is, on two separate lines. So, the cash portion of your deposit would be $20.25, your first check would be $50, and your second check for $35 would be on the third line.

In addition, signing the back of each check is essential before depositing it in your account. There is a space on the back of checks at the top for your signature. The space is typically labeled ‘endorse here’ for the check recipient (that’s you) to sign. Doing so is part of properly managing your checking account; not doing so could lead to delays in the money becoming available.

4. Adding All Deposits to Get a Subtotal

Once you list your deposit items and subtract your cash back if desired, write the subtotal at the bottom. Using the example above, the total would be $105.25 if you decided to take no cash back.

5. Signing Your Deposit Slip

This final step isn’t always necessary because some banks don’t require depositors to sign their deposit slips. However, if you want cash back from your deposit, you must sign it.

6. Take Your Receipt

The teller will keep the filled-out deposit slip and give you a receipt so you can track the bank transaction deposit in your records. You might also receive a copy of the deposit slip, depending on your bank.

Do You Need a Deposit Slip to Make Mobile Deposits?

Mobile deposits are a convenient way to transfer money into the bank. They don’t require deposit slips; instead, log into your bank account on your smartphone and upload pictures of your checks to deposit them.

Keep in mind, however, that a mobile deposit processes checks, not cash. Therefore, if you have cash to deposit, you’ll need to head to the bank and fill out a deposit slip.

Recommended: Benefits of Automating Your Finances

The Takeaway

Learning how to fill out a deposit slip is a straightforward process in which you provide your name, account number, and money for deposit in the form of cash and checks.

Remember, if you solely have checks to deposit and no cash, you can use the mobile deposit feature in your banking app to deposit the checks. As a result, you’ll only have to go to the bank and fill out a deposit slip if you have cash to put into your account.

FAQ

What is written on the back of a deposit slip?

You may be able to list more checks on the back of a deposit slip if you run out of slots in the front. The back of a deposit slip often has an overflow section for you to list additional checks.

Can I print my own deposit slips?

You can print deposit slips on various online platforms and at office supply stores.

Are deposit slips the same as checks?

Deposit slips are different from checks because you use deposit slips to deposit cash and checks at the bank. On the other hand, checks are a method of payment between two parties.

Who keeps the original deposit slip?

The bank keeps the original deposit slip and typically gives you a receipt from the transaction. Some banks also give a copy of the deposit slip.

Photo credit: iStock/PeopleImages

SoFi® Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A. ©2024 SoFi Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.
The SoFi Bank Debit Mastercard® is issued by SoFi Bank, N.A., pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated and can be used everywhere Mastercard is accepted. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.

SoFi members with direct deposit activity can earn 4.00% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Direct Deposit means a recurring deposit of regular income to an account holder’s SoFi Checking or Savings account, including payroll, pension, or government benefit payments (e.g., Social Security), made by the account holder’s employer, payroll or benefits provider or government agency (“Direct Deposit”) via the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) Network during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Deposits that are not from an employer or government agency, including but not limited to check deposits, peer-to-peer transfers (e.g., transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc.), merchant transactions (e.g., transactions from PayPal, Stripe, Square, etc.), and bank ACH funds transfers and wire transfers from external accounts, or are non-recurring in nature (e.g., IRS tax refunds), do not constitute Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. SoFi members with direct deposit are eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits.

As an alternative to direct deposit, SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits can earn 4.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Qualifying Deposits means one or more deposits that, in the aggregate, are equal to or greater than $5,000 to an account holder’s SoFi Checking and Savings account (“Qualifying Deposits”) during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Qualifying Deposits only include those deposits from the following eligible sources: (i) ACH transfers, (ii) inbound wire transfers, (iii) peer-to-peer transfers (i.e., external transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc. and internal peer-to-peer transfers from a SoFi account belonging to another account holder), (iv) check deposits, (v) instant funding to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, (vi) push payments to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, and (vii) cash deposits. Qualifying Deposits do not include: (i) transfers between an account holder’s Checking account, Savings account, and/or Vaults; (ii) interest payments; (iii) bonuses issued by SoFi Bank or its affiliates; or (iv) credits, reversals, and refunds from SoFi Bank, N.A. (“SoFi Bank”) or from a merchant. SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits are not eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits.

SoFi Bank shall, in its sole discretion, assess each account holder’s Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits throughout each 30-Day Evaluation Period to determine the applicability of rates and may request additional documentation for verification of eligibility. The 30-Day Evaluation Period refers to the “Start Date” and “End Date” set forth on the APY Details page of your account, which comprises a period of 30 calendar days (the “30-Day Evaluation Period”). You can access the APY Details page at any time by logging into your SoFi account on the SoFi mobile app or SoFi website and selecting either (i) Banking > Savings > Current APY or (ii) Banking > Checking > Current APY. Upon receiving a Direct Deposit or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits to your account, you will begin earning 4.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% on checking balances on or before the following calendar day. You will continue to earn these APYs for (i) the remainder of the current 30-Day Evaluation Period and through the end of the subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period and (ii) any following 30-day Evaluation Periods during which SoFi Bank determines you to have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits without interruption.

SoFi Bank reserves the right to grant a grace period to account holders following a change in Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits activity before adjusting rates. If SoFi Bank grants you a grace period, the dates for such grace period will be reflected on the APY Details page of your account. If SoFi Bank determines that you did not have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits during the current 30-day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, then you will begin earning the rates earned by account holders without either Direct Deposit or Qualifying Deposits until you have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits in a subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period. For the avoidance of doubt, an account holder with both Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits will earn the rates earned by account holders with Direct Deposit.

Members without either Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits, as determined by SoFi Bank, during a 30-Day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, will earn 1.20% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances.

Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 12/3/24. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

SOBK0223019

Oct

2023

Guide to Passbook Accounts

By Timothy Moore | Budgeting & Goals, Family Finances, Growing Wealth, money, Money & Life | Comments Off

Today, it’s common to check your savings account balance on your smartphone, send money to a friend after they covered the cost of lunch, or snap a picture of a paper check to make a mobile deposit. But before the advent of the internet and smartphones, banking was done in person, and people used pen and paper to keep track of everything.

One of the relics of that time period is the passbook savings account. While most consumers now have a traditional or online savings account, passbook savings accounts are still in use today. And, depending on your financial and personal style, it might be an option that you find useful.

But what is a passbook savings account, how do they work, and why would anyone want to open one? We’ll dive in below.

What Is a Passbook Savings Account?

A passbook savings account is a type of savings account that comes with a notebook or ledger (called a passbook) to track your deposits and withdrawals.

Unlike other bank accounts, which may allow you to take out funds at an ATM, transfer money electronically, and check your balance online, a passbook account requires in-person transactions at the bank or credit union, with a physical log of the activity.

Recommended: How Many Bank Accounts Should I Have?

How Do Passbook Savings Accounts Work?

Before computers, consumers had to visit their local bank branch to deposit or withdraw cash from their savings account. Period. They’d bring their physical passbook with them, and the bank teller would update the passbook with information about the transaction and their new balance.

Nowadays, most consumers choose traditional savings accounts or online savings accounts. While they may still be able to visit banks in person, they can also monitor their accounts online, move money electronically, and swing by the ATM to make deposits and withdrawals.

But passbook accounts are still around. While the bank tellers now handle things electronically, consumers are still issued a physical passbook and must visit the branch in person to withdraw and deposit cash.

Why would someone want this kind of account today?

• People might choose passbook accounts because of the added requirement of visiting in person. If they consider themselves bad with money, this process could make it harder to irresponsibly withdraw and spend their money.

• Others might like having more control over — and insight into — their finances.

• Some consumers may appreciate the added layer of security since it would be harder for a criminal to drain the account.

Pros and Cons of Passbook Savings Accounts

Passbook accounts are hard to come by these days, but it’s not impossible to open one. Just as there are pros and cons to online banking, so too are there benefits and downsides to a passbook savings account, such as:

Pros of Passbook Accounts	Cons of Passbook Accounts
Less temptation to spend your savings	Inconvenient to access money
Enhanced feeling of control over your account	Potentially low annual percentage yield (APY) compared to online savings accounts, depending on the institution
Added layer of security by requiring in-person transactions	Requires safekeeping of physical ledger
Ideal for people who aren’t good with computers	Challenges if you relocate to a place without branch access

Passbook Accounts vs. Savings Accounts

In many ways, passbook accounts and savings accounts are similar, but they also have several notable differences. Let’s break down how they’re alike — and how they’re not.

Similarities

Consider these points:

• Both savings and passbook savings accounts are deposit accounts that are meant for saving, not spending. Over time, you should expect your money to grow unless you withdraw funds for major purchases, like a house down payment.

• That means both types of savings accounts earn interest, though the amount they earn can vary. Some traditional savings accounts may earn as little as 0.01% interest while high-yield online accounts may earn significantly more, such as over 4% as of mid-2023.

Passbook savings accounts generally can’t compete with high-yield online accounts, but you’d need to check with specific banks to know what interest you’d earn.

• Like traditional savings accounts, passbook accounts are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) up to $250,000 per depositor, per ownership category, per insured institution.

If the account is at a credit union, it would have the same level of insurance, but from the National Credit Union Association or NCUA vs. FDIC.

Differences

While savings accounts and passbook savings accounts have the same purpose — saving money and earning interest — how these accounts work is quite different:

• Access to funds: With a traditional savings account, you can generally access your funds in person or at an ATM. Most accounts now let you manage your money online as well, meaning you can transfer money between accounts with the click of a button. With a passbook savings account, you must visit a branch in person.

• Monitoring your account: Similarly, traditional bank accounts send monthly statements, on paper or online. With most banks nowadays, you can access your account details at any time online via a computer or smartphone.

With a passbook account, however, all the information lives in the physical passbook, and you’ll only update it at the bank when making transactions. Note: Some banks, like First Republic, may now let account holders check information online.

Are Passbook Savings Accounts Still in Use?

Though passbook accounts are uncommon, they’re still in use today. You can open a passbook account at certain local and regional banks. Some examples of financial institutions still offering passbook accounts include:

• Middlesex Savings Bank (Massachusetts)

• Union Bank (Vermont and New Hampshire)

• Cathay Bank (largely California, but other locations in Washington, Texas, Illinois, and New England)

• Naveo Credit Union (Massachusetts)

• Dollar Bank (Northeast Ohio, Western Pennsylvania, and parts of Virginia and Maryland).

Recommended: How to Switch Banks

The Takeaway

Passbook savings accounts are less common today with the advent of computers and online banking. While most consumers would prefer electronic access to their account, passbook accounts offer unique perks for people who prefer to bank exclusively in person. It may be a good way for them to manage their money.

Interested in opening an online bank account? When you sign up for a SoFi Checking and Savings account with direct deposit, you’ll get a competitive annual percentage yield (APY), pay zero account fees, and enjoy an array of rewards, such as access to the Allpoint Network of 55,000+ fee-free ATMs globally. Qualifying accounts can even access their paycheck up to two days early.

Better banking is here with SoFi, NerdWallet’s 2024 winner for Best Checking Account Overall.* Enjoy up to 4.00% APY on SoFi Checking and Savings.

FAQ

Do any banks still have passbook accounts?

Some banks still offer passbook accounts. Passbook savings accounts are less common today, as most consumers prefer to manage their money online. That said, some local and regional banks and credit unions in your area may offer passbook savings account options.

What is a disadvantage of a passbook savings account?

A major disadvantage of passbook savings accounts is that you can’t access your money electronically. You have to go to a branch in person to withdraw or deposit funds. You usually can’t even get an account summary online; instead, your physical passbook is the only source of information you have about the account.

What is the interest rate on a passbook savings account?

Interest rates on passbook savings accounts will vary by financial institution, but they’re sometimes competitive with traditional savings accounts. That said, they are often less than high-yield online savings accounts. Remember that you’ll want to choose a bank that is geographically convenient, as you’ll have to visit in person to access your money.

Photo credit: iStock/LaylaBird

SOBK0323029

Oct

2023

Guide to Bank Notaries and What They Do

By Rebecca Lake | money, Money & Life | Comments Off

Notaries witness the signing of legal and financial documents and certify them as being valid. If you need to have documents notarized (say, you are working your way through mortgage paperwork), you may be able to have that done at your bank or credit union.

A bank notary can review your documents with you, verify the identity of all signers, and witness the signing. In other words, they can help you make your paperwork official. Do all banks have a notary? Not necessarily, but many financial institutions offer this service to their customers, typically for free.

Learn more about what a bank notary is, when you might need their services, where else to find a notary public, and how much getting a document notarized will likely cost.

🛈 Currently, SoFi does not provide notary services to members.

What Is a Bank Notary?

A notary or notary public is an appointed official who’s authorized by the state government to witness the signing of documents and verify the validity of the signatures. It’s a notary’s job to ensure that the signers of a document are not acting under duress and that they are who they say they are.

A bank notary performs those services in a banking setting. Like other notaries, bank notaries must complete the required training that’s mandated by state law in order to receive a commission.

Any bank employee who meets the eligibility requirements can complete notary training. This can include tellers, loan officers, or investment bankers. When picking a bank, you might want to check to see if notaries are available. It can be convenient to have that service available at your financial institution when the need for a notary crops up.

How Notarization Works

When a document is notarized, it means that it’s been reviewed by and signed in front of a notary. Notarization is designed to ensure that the document and the signatures on it are not fraudulent and that the individuals who sign do so of their own free will and are not under duress.

The notarization process involves three steps:

• It starts with the initial review of the document and vetting of the signers. If you take a document to a bank notary to be signed, they’ll check your ID (and the ID of any other signers present), and ask questions to make sure you know what you’re signing and that you’re not being pressured or forced to do so.

• Next, the notary will look at the document itself to ensure that it meets the requirements for notarization. For example, some states require that documents being notarized have no blank spaces in order to prevent fraud.

• Once the notary verifies your identity and scans the document, you’ll sign it in front of them. They’ll then complete a notarial certificate, add their seal to the document, and record the notarization.

There is one thing notaries cannot do, and that’s offer legal or financial advice.

What Do Bank Notaries Do?

Bank notaries are responsible for notarizing documents for the bank’s customers. Credit unions can also employ notaries to notarize documents. It’s one of the benefits of local banking.

But what do banks notarize? There are several different types of notarizations that banks can handle.

Jurats

A jurat is a type of notarial act that applies to documents relating to civil or criminal proceedings. You may need a bank notary for a jurat notarization if you’re signing something like a financial affidavit for a divorce proceeding. A financial affidavit is an official statement of your income, assets, and debts. A court can use that document as a guide when determining what to award in child support or alimony.

Certified Copies

Bank notaries can issue notarizations for certified copies of official documents. For example, say that after getting divorced you started a new job and began contributing to a 401(k). You later change jobs and want to cash out the money that you saved in the plan. Your 401(k) plan manager might ask for a certified copy of a divorce decree before releasing the money to you.

Acknowledgements

An acknowledgement notarization may be required for documents that specify the transfer of assets or financial authority from one person to another. For example, say that your aging mother wants to name you their power of attorney as part of the estate planning process. A bank notary could certify the document and witness both your signatures in acknowledgement that the two of you have an agreement and no one is acting under duress.

Are Bank Notaries Free?

Notaries can charge fees for their services, but banks may offer notarization for free to their customers. So, if you have a checking account, savings account, or CD account with the bank, you should be able to get notarization services without paying anything. Or if you have a share draft account at a credit union, you might get notary services for free.

Can a bank notarize a document for someone who is not a customer? Certainly, but you might pay a fee to get a document notarized if you don’t have an account there. The good news is that notary services typically aren’t that expensive.

What you’ll pay for notary services, if you have to pay, will depend on state law. Each state has its own guidelines for what notaries can charge and there may be different fees for different types of notarial acts. Generally speaking, you may pay anywhere from $2.50 to $25 to have a document notarized if you’re not able to get it done for free at your bank.

Recommended: Benefits of Automating Your Finances

How Do You Know If Your Bank Has a Notary?

Do banks have notaries? Yes, but not all of them. It’s possible that your bank may not offer notary services. Fortunately, there are a few ways to find out whether your bank has a notary. For instance, you could:

• Ask in person at a branch

• Call, email, or otherwise contact your local branch

• Check the bank’s website

• Review your account agreement.

What if you have accounts at an online bank? You won’t be able to visit a branch to get documents notarized in person, though your bank might offer electronic notarization online. That’s something to consider if you’re debating whether to choose traditional vs. online banking to manage your money.

Other Places to Find a Notary

Banks are not the only place that you can get notary services. If you need to get a document notarized and your bank doesn’t offer notary services, you can also try:

• Office supply stores

• Shipping or mailing stores

• Law firms or law offices

• Accountant or tax preparer’s offices

• Real estate offices

• Local Department of Motor Vehicles office

• Insurance agencies

• AAA

• Public libraries.

Again, just keep in mind that you might have to pay a fee to get a document notarized at any of these locations.

You may be able to find an independent notary near you who is willing to travel to your home or workplace to notarize documents. There are also remote notary services that offer electronic notarization, though these may not be considered valid in every state.

Recommended: Building a Line Item Budget

The Takeaway

A bank notary isn’t something you might need on a regular basis, but it’s good to know that you have access to one if you have a document that requires notarization. If you’re shopping for a new bank and don’t necessarily need branch banking, you might consider taking your accounts online.

FAQ

What is bank notarization?

Bank notarization is the process of getting documents notarized at a bank. A bank notary can complete different notarial acts to certify the signature of legal or financial documents. Bank notarization is often offered free of charge to banking customers.

Can local banks notarize documents?

Local banks can notarize documents if they have at least one notary on staff. Bank notaries, like other notaries, must receive a commission from the state in order to witness signatures and certify them on documents.

Where can I get notarized for free?

You can likely get documents notarized for free at your bank if the bank offers that service to customers. If you get documents notarized at other locations, such as shipping stores or office supply stores, you may have to pay a fee for notarization services.

Photo credit: iStock/megaflopp
SoFi® Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A. ©2024 SoFi Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.
The SoFi Bank Debit Mastercard® is issued by SoFi Bank, N.A., pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated and can be used everywhere Mastercard is accepted. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

SoFi members with direct deposit activity can earn 4.00% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Direct Deposit means a recurring deposit of regular income to an account holder’s SoFi Checking or Savings account, including payroll, pension, or government benefit payments (e.g., Social Security), made by the account holder’s employer, payroll or benefits provider or government agency (“Direct Deposit”) via the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) Network during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Deposits that are not from an employer or government agency, including but not limited to check deposits, peer-to-peer transfers (e.g., transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc.), merchant transactions (e.g., transactions from PayPal, Stripe, Square, etc.), and bank ACH funds transfers and wire transfers from external accounts, or are non-recurring in nature (e.g., IRS tax refunds), do not constitute Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. SoFi members with direct deposit are eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits.

As an alternative to direct deposit, SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits can earn 4.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Qualifying Deposits means one or more deposits that, in the aggregate, are equal to or greater than $5,000 to an account holder’s SoFi Checking and Savings account (“Qualifying Deposits”) during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Qualifying Deposits only include those deposits from the following eligible sources: (i) ACH transfers, (ii) inbound wire transfers, (iii) peer-to-peer transfers (i.e., external transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc. and internal peer-to-peer transfers from a SoFi account belonging to another account holder), (iv) check deposits, (v) instant funding to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, (vi) push payments to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, and (vii) cash deposits. Qualifying Deposits do not include: (i) transfers between an account holder’s Checking account, Savings account, and/or Vaults; (ii) interest payments; (iii) bonuses issued by SoFi Bank or its affiliates; or (iv) credits, reversals, and refunds from SoFi Bank, N.A. (“SoFi Bank”) or from a merchant. SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits are not eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits.

SoFi Bank shall, in its sole discretion, assess each account holder’s Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits throughout each 30-Day Evaluation Period to determine the applicability of rates and may request additional documentation for verification of eligibility. The 30-Day Evaluation Period refers to the “Start Date” and “End Date” set forth on the APY Details page of your account, which comprises a period of 30 calendar days (the “30-Day Evaluation Period”). You can access the APY Details page at any time by logging into your SoFi account on the SoFi mobile app or SoFi website and selecting either (i) Banking > Savings > Current APY or (ii) Banking > Checking > Current APY. Upon receiving a Direct Deposit or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits to your account, you will begin earning 4.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% on checking balances on or before the following calendar day. You will continue to earn these APYs for (i) the remainder of the current 30-Day Evaluation Period and through the end of the subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period and (ii) any following 30-day Evaluation Periods during which SoFi Bank determines you to have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits without interruption.

SoFi Bank reserves the right to grant a grace period to account holders following a change in Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits activity before adjusting rates. If SoFi Bank grants you a grace period, the dates for such grace period will be reflected on the APY Details page of your account. If SoFi Bank determines that you did not have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits during the current 30-day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, then you will begin earning the rates earned by account holders without either Direct Deposit or Qualifying Deposits until you have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits in a subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period. For the avoidance of doubt, an account holder with both Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits will earn the rates earned by account holders with Direct Deposit.

Members without either Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits, as determined by SoFi Bank, during a 30-Day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, will earn 1.20% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances.

Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 12/3/24. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.

SOBK0323015

Oct

2023

What Are Excessive Transaction Fees?

By Timothy Moore | Budgeting & Goals, Family Finances, money | Comments Off

Excessive transaction fees are penalties incurred by consumers when they make too many withdrawals from a savings account or money market account in a single month.

These fees were once mandated by federal law (Regulation D), but they became optional for banks to leverage at the start of the pandemic, as its economic impact became apparent. These charges are still optional today; some financial institutions collect them; others don’t.

Since most people want to avoid fees as often as possible, read on to learn how excessive transaction fees work and how much they cost.

What Is an Excessive Withdrawal Fee?

Excessive transaction fees, also called excess transfer fees, withdrawal limit fees, or excessive withdrawal fees, refer to penalties for excessive withdrawals from a savings or money market account. Historically, Regulation D restricted consumers to six “convenient transfers and withdrawals” each month.

Banks and credit unions could start leveraging these fees after as few as three transactions per month, though the regulation specified a savings withdrawal limit of six. If consumers regularly exceeded the regulatory six, financial institutions legally had to take action, like converting from a savings account to a checking account or closing it altogether.

Though Regulation D has changed since the COVID-19 crisis and looks to stay that way indefinitely — meaning convenient withdrawals aren’t capped at six a month — some banks have chosen to maintain the excessive transaction fee.

Types of Transactions Considered

Not every withdrawal from a savings account counts toward the transaction limit. Below are the types of transactions that could get you to the six-a-month max:

• Electronic funds transfers (EFTs), like when you transfer money from your savings account to checking account (or transfer money from one bank to another)

• Automated Clearing House (ACH) payments, including online bill pay

• Pre-authorized transfers, like overdraft transfers to avoid overdraft fees

• Wire transfers

• Online and phone transfers

• Debit card and check transactions drawing from the savings account.

Notably absent from this list are in-person withdrawals at banks and ATMs. Such withdrawals do not count toward the transaction limit. You can also move funds from savings to checking at an ATM or with a teller in person without it counting toward your limit.

Worth knowing: Some banks may also impose ATM withdrawal limits.

How Much Do Excessive Transaction Fees Cost?

Though Regulation D previously specified a maximum of six convenient withdrawals, it did not specify the amount of the resulting excess transfer fee. Financial institutions were free to set that amount — and still are today, if they continue to charge excessive transaction fees.

Typically, excessive transaction fees cost between $3 and $25 per transaction. Under the current form of Regulation D, financial institutions must disclose the fee amount (if applicable) at account opening; if the bank changes the amount afterward, it must legally notify you at least 30 days before the change.

If you’re not sure what your bank charges, you can typically find this information on the bank’s website or in the fine print of your account documents.

Recommended: What Are Bank Transaction Deposits?

Why Do Banks Charge Excessive Transaction Fees?

Before the Federal Reserve suspended the portion of Regulation D requiring that banks charge excessive transaction fees, the answer was easy: Banks charged excessive transaction fees because they legally had to.

The federal government created Regulation D to ensure that financial institutions had enough cash reserves available. Though this meant consumer funds were a little less liquid in a savings account or money market account, banks made such accounts appealing to consumers by offering interest on those funds. Consumers who wanted easier access to their money could use a checking account.

Now that the Federal Reserve has eradicated that mandate, some banks choose to continue to charge fees. The reasoning for this decision may vary at each financial institution, though banks generally leverage fees to make a profit (they are a business, after all!).

And remember: The federally imposed transfer limit previously served to ensure banks maintained proper cash reserves; banks still charging this fee may be doing so to discourage excessive withdrawals and thus protect their reserves.

Recommended: Smart Short-Term Financial Goals

Tips to Avoid Excessive Transaction Fees

How can you avoid excessive transaction penalties? Consider these tips to cut out this common bank fee.

• Finding a bank that doesn’t charge excess transfer fees: Some banks do not charge excessive transaction fees.

• Using your checking account: Banks may leverage fees when you make too many savings withdrawals by swiping a debit card, writing a check, or paying bills online. Rather than using your savings account for such transactions, you may benefit from using a checking account, where such fees don’t apply, and making withdrawals from the cleared funds in that account.

• Banking in person or at ATMs: Withdrawals at physical bank branches and ATMs typically don’t count toward your limit. By using these options to take funds out of your savings account (or money market account), you should be able to avoid excessive withdrawal fees. Just keep in mind that there may be ATM withdrawal limits in terms of how much you can take out in a certain time period.

• Making fewer (but bigger) withdrawals: If you’re able to anticipate your needs throughout the month, you may be able to make one or two big electronic funds transfers from savings to checking each month, rather than several smaller ones. Doing so may mean you can avoid excess transfer fees.

• Opting out of overdraft coverage: If your savings account is tied to your overdraft program and you overdraw too many times in one month, you could wind up paying an excessive transfer fee. You can avoid this by opting out of overdraft protection (though it’s crucial that you understand what that means for your checking account if you overdraw). Or you might tap a line of credit (say, by using a credit card) as the source for your overdraft protection instead of your savings account.

• Getting bank alerts: Checking your bank account activity is good for several reasons, including fraud monitoring and low balance alerts (to avoid overdrafts). Opting into banking notifications can also help you keep track of when you’re approaching the monthly withdrawal limit.

The Takeaway

Though federal regulations have changed since the onset of COVID-19, many banks and credit unions still charge excessive transaction fees. To avoid such fees, it’s important to monitor your monthly transactions and find other ways to access your savings. For example, you may be able to avoid excessive transaction fees by using ATMs or making fewer, larger transfers and/or withdrawals. Finding a bank whose policies are flexible and suit your needs is a wise move too.

Better banking is here with SoFi, NerdWallet’s 2024 winner for Best Checking Account Overall.* Enjoy up to 4.00% APY on SoFi Checking and Savings.

FAQ

How much are excessive transaction fees?

Excessive transaction fees can typically range from $3 to $25 each, depending on the institution’s policies.

Do all banks charge excessive transaction fees?

Not all banks charge excessive transaction fees. Before signing up for any account, it’s a good idea to read the fine print, including the fee structure. Federal law requires that banks disclose these fees to consumers.

Why do banks charge excessive transaction fees?

Regulation D was initially created to ensure banks could maintain enough cash reserves. Though Regulation D no longer limits convenient withdrawals to six, many banks still charge these fees, potentially to protect their reserves and/or to make a profit.

Photo credit: iStock/MTStock Studio
SoFi® Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A. ©2024 SoFi Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.
The SoFi Bank Debit Mastercard® is issued by SoFi Bank, N.A., pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated and can be used everywhere Mastercard is accepted. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.

SoFi members with direct deposit activity can earn 4.00% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Direct Deposit means a recurring deposit of regular income to an account holder’s SoFi Checking or Savings account, including payroll, pension, or government benefit payments (e.g., Social Security), made by the account holder’s employer, payroll or benefits provider or government agency (“Direct Deposit”) via the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) Network during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Deposits that are not from an employer or government agency, including but not limited to check deposits, peer-to-peer transfers (e.g., transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc.), merchant transactions (e.g., transactions from PayPal, Stripe, Square, etc.), and bank ACH funds transfers and wire transfers from external accounts, or are non-recurring in nature (e.g., IRS tax refunds), do not constitute Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. SoFi members with direct deposit are eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits.

As an alternative to direct deposit, SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits can earn 4.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Qualifying Deposits means one or more deposits that, in the aggregate, are equal to or greater than $5,000 to an account holder’s SoFi Checking and Savings account (“Qualifying Deposits”) during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Qualifying Deposits only include those deposits from the following eligible sources: (i) ACH transfers, (ii) inbound wire transfers, (iii) peer-to-peer transfers (i.e., external transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc. and internal peer-to-peer transfers from a SoFi account belonging to another account holder), (iv) check deposits, (v) instant funding to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, (vi) push payments to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, and (vii) cash deposits. Qualifying Deposits do not include: (i) transfers between an account holder’s Checking account, Savings account, and/or Vaults; (ii) interest payments; (iii) bonuses issued by SoFi Bank or its affiliates; or (iv) credits, reversals, and refunds from SoFi Bank, N.A. (“SoFi Bank”) or from a merchant. SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits are not eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits.

SoFi Bank shall, in its sole discretion, assess each account holder’s Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits throughout each 30-Day Evaluation Period to determine the applicability of rates and may request additional documentation for verification of eligibility. The 30-Day Evaluation Period refers to the “Start Date” and “End Date” set forth on the APY Details page of your account, which comprises a period of 30 calendar days (the “30-Day Evaluation Period”). You can access the APY Details page at any time by logging into your SoFi account on the SoFi mobile app or SoFi website and selecting either (i) Banking > Savings > Current APY or (ii) Banking > Checking > Current APY. Upon receiving a Direct Deposit or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits to your account, you will begin earning 4.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% on checking balances on or before the following calendar day. You will continue to earn these APYs for (i) the remainder of the current 30-Day Evaluation Period and through the end of the subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period and (ii) any following 30-day Evaluation Periods during which SoFi Bank determines you to have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits without interruption.

SoFi Bank reserves the right to grant a grace period to account holders following a change in Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits activity before adjusting rates. If SoFi Bank grants you a grace period, the dates for such grace period will be reflected on the APY Details page of your account. If SoFi Bank determines that you did not have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits during the current 30-day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, then you will begin earning the rates earned by account holders without either Direct Deposit or Qualifying Deposits until you have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits in a subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period. For the avoidance of doubt, an account holder with both Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits will earn the rates earned by account holders with Direct Deposit.

Members without either Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits, as determined by SoFi Bank, during a 30-Day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, will earn 1.20% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances.

Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 12/3/24. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

SOBK1222026

Oct

2023

Guide to Consumption Tax

By Timothy Moore | Financial Independence, money, Terminology | Comments Off

A consumption tax is a tax on a specific good or service. When you pay sales taxes on retail purchases, gasoline, and alcohol, you’re paying a consumption tax. Businesses also pay consumption taxes, like when exporting goods to another country (i.e., paying that country’s import taxes).

But that’s just an overview. Here, you can learn more about these taxes and how they impact you, including:

• What is consumption tax?

• How do consumption taxes work?

• What are the different kinds of consumption taxes?

• What are the pros and cons of consumption taxes?

• What’s the difference between consumption taxes vs. income taxes?

What Are Consumption Taxes?

Consumption taxes are a broad range of taxes that are imposed when you spend money on a good or a service. A common example is a sales tax since consumers are used to paying this with most transactions. However, there are other consumption taxes that affect businesses, as well as ones that are in place in other countries.

The key tenet of a consumption tax is that taxpayers are charged based on what they spend, not what they earn, which makes them different from income taxes. In some countries, including the U.S., consumption taxes and income taxes coexist — along with other types of taxes.

Types of Consumption Taxes

Here are some of the most common types of consumption taxes you might encounter:

• Sales tax: When you pay for goods or services at stores, restaurants, and other businesses, you typically pay a sales tax. All but five states have a state-wide sales tax, and individual localities can impose their own sales taxes.

Of those five tax-free states — Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon — only one has localities that charge a sales tax: Alaska. States without income taxes often (but not always) have high sales tax rates.

• Excise tax: An excise tax is seemingly similar to a sales tax, except it’s levied on specific purchases. Colloquially called “sin taxes,” excise taxes are often imposed to discourage certain behaviors that society may see as detrimental in some way. For example, there are excise taxes on alcohol, cigarettes, betting, and even tanning salon services.

Excise taxes also refer to specific taxes that support our infrastructure, like taxes on gasoline and air transportation. Depending on the excise tax, it might be levied on the manufacturer, retailer, or consumer. Often the taxes are rolled into the price a consumer pays: For instance, the excise tax on gas could be passed along to you without your even knowing it.

• Value-added tax: Commonly referred to as VAT, value-added taxes are not implemented in place in the United States. Instead, you may encounter these when traveling to Canada or Europe. This flat consumption tax is levied on a product at each stage of production where value is added to it, but the cost of the tax is ultimately passed on to the person who purchases the final product.

The consumption taxes above impact individual taxpayers. Businesses may contend with another type of consumption tax: import duties.

Recommended: How to Reduce Taxable Income

How Do Consumption Taxes Work?

Now that you know what consumption taxes are, take a closer look at how they function. Consumption taxes work a little differently from one another depending on their type. Sales tax, for example, doesn’t appear until the final point of sale, while VAT is applied throughout the production process.

Regardless of the type of consumption tax, however, the fundamental principle remains the same: You pay taxes when you spend money on goods and services, rather than when you earn the money.

Pros and Cons Consumption Taxes

So what are the pros and cons of consumption taxes? Let’s break it down:

• Pro: Consumption taxes can be easier to calculate. A flat sales tax that everybody pays when they make a purchase is quite straightforward. It’s easy to calculate. You are probably accustomed to that sales tax, for instance, that gets added on as you check out in a store.

This is in stark contrast to taxes that can be complex to figure out. For instance, income can be difficult to measure when filing taxes, especially when you consider wages, tips, self-employment income, capital gains, interest, dividends, and so on. (No wonder so many people seek help during tax season.)

• Con: A consumption tax puts a heavier tax burden on low-income earners. The United States has a progressive income tax system. What that means: The more money you earn, the larger the percentage of your income you must pay in taxes. Some believe this is the right thing to do; they argue that high-income earners can afford to pay more in taxes while low-income taxpayers may be living paycheck to paycheck.

However, with consumption taxes, everyone can be taxed at the same rate, which could be problematic for low-wage earners. In other words, the person who earns $20,000 a year pays the same sales tax rate as the person who earns ten times as much.

• Pro: Consumption taxes may encourage saving. For individuals who are struggling to reign in their spending habits, a larger consumption tax — levied every time they swipe their credit card — may encourage them to spend less and save more money.

• Con: Consumption taxes could discourage spending. But if fewer people are encouraged to spend because of higher consumption taxes, the economy could suffer.

Recommended: Tax Benefits of Marriage

Consumption vs Income Tax: What’s the Difference?

So what’s the main difference between consumption taxes and income taxes? Much depends on when the tax is levied.

• A consumption tax is levied when you spend the money (i.e., when you consume a good or service).

• An income tax is levied when you earn the money (usually through tax withholdings from a paycheck and quarterly estimated payments) or when you receive interest, dividends, or capital gains.

The Takeaway

A consumption tax refers to a broad range of taxes, including sales taxes, excise taxes, and value-added taxes. These are charged on goods and services and can be a key sources of revenue for states. Unlike income taxes which are charged on income, consumption taxes are levied when a consumer or business spends money.

Spending money and paying taxes are part of life. But if you want a banking partner that helps you make most of your cash and simplifies financial management, see what SoFi offers. When you open our online Checking and Savings account, you’ll spend and save in one convenient place. You’ll have access to the global Allpoint Network of no-fee ATMs. Ready for more perks? You’ll also enjoy a competitive annual percentage yield (APY) and pay no account fees, which can help your money grow.

Better banking is here with SoFi, NerdWallet’s 2024 winner for Best Checking Account Overall.* Enjoy up to 4.00% APY on SoFi Checking and Savings.

FAQ

Can you deduct consumption tax?

If you itemize your deductions, you can take the SALT (state and local taxes) deduction on your state and local income taxes or your state and local sales taxes, a form of consumption tax. Doing so would require receipts from every purchase or an estimate using the IRS’s optional sales tax tables.

Do you have to put consumption taxes on your yearly taxes?

If you choose to apply the state and local sales tax (SALT) deduction when itemizing deductions on your taxes, you would include your consumption taxes on your tax return. Businesses should also list their consumption taxes as a business expense to reduce their taxable income.

How much do people spend on consumption taxes on average?

How much people spend on what is known as consumption taxes will depend entirely on where they live and how much they spend on purchases each year. Sales tax, for example, varies widely across the United States; in some states, it’s 0% while in others, it’s 7% or more.

Because consumption taxes are levied when consumers make purchases, their total consumption taxes in a given year also depend on the number of purchases they make. Certain items like gas and alcohol have specific excise tax rates, different from regular sales taxes, that can make it even more complicated to estimate.

Photo credit: iStock/sturti

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

SoFi® Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A. ©2024 SoFi Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.
The SoFi Bank Debit Mastercard® is issued by SoFi Bank, N.A., pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated and can be used everywhere Mastercard is accepted. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.

SoFi members with direct deposit activity can earn 4.00% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Direct Deposit means a recurring deposit of regular income to an account holder’s SoFi Checking or Savings account, including payroll, pension, or government benefit payments (e.g., Social Security), made by the account holder’s employer, payroll or benefits provider or government agency (“Direct Deposit”) via the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) Network during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Deposits that are not from an employer or government agency, including but not limited to check deposits, peer-to-peer transfers (e.g., transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc.), merchant transactions (e.g., transactions from PayPal, Stripe, Square, etc.), and bank ACH funds transfers and wire transfers from external accounts, or are non-recurring in nature (e.g., IRS tax refunds), do not constitute Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. SoFi members with direct deposit are eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits.

As an alternative to direct deposit, SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits can earn 4.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Qualifying Deposits means one or more deposits that, in the aggregate, are equal to or greater than $5,000 to an account holder’s SoFi Checking and Savings account (“Qualifying Deposits”) during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Qualifying Deposits only include those deposits from the following eligible sources: (i) ACH transfers, (ii) inbound wire transfers, (iii) peer-to-peer transfers (i.e., external transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc. and internal peer-to-peer transfers from a SoFi account belonging to another account holder), (iv) check deposits, (v) instant funding to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, (vi) push payments to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, and (vii) cash deposits. Qualifying Deposits do not include: (i) transfers between an account holder’s Checking account, Savings account, and/or Vaults; (ii) interest payments; (iii) bonuses issued by SoFi Bank or its affiliates; or (iv) credits, reversals, and refunds from SoFi Bank, N.A. (“SoFi Bank”) or from a merchant. SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits are not eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits.

SoFi Bank shall, in its sole discretion, assess each account holder’s Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits throughout each 30-Day Evaluation Period to determine the applicability of rates and may request additional documentation for verification of eligibility. The 30-Day Evaluation Period refers to the “Start Date” and “End Date” set forth on the APY Details page of your account, which comprises a period of 30 calendar days (the “30-Day Evaluation Period”). You can access the APY Details page at any time by logging into your SoFi account on the SoFi mobile app or SoFi website and selecting either (i) Banking > Savings > Current APY or (ii) Banking > Checking > Current APY. Upon receiving a Direct Deposit or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits to your account, you will begin earning 4.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% on checking balances on or before the following calendar day. You will continue to earn these APYs for (i) the remainder of the current 30-Day Evaluation Period and through the end of the subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period and (ii) any following 30-day Evaluation Periods during which SoFi Bank determines you to have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits without interruption.

SoFi Bank reserves the right to grant a grace period to account holders following a change in Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits activity before adjusting rates. If SoFi Bank grants you a grace period, the dates for such grace period will be reflected on the APY Details page of your account. If SoFi Bank determines that you did not have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits during the current 30-day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, then you will begin earning the rates earned by account holders without either Direct Deposit or Qualifying Deposits until you have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits in a subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period. For the avoidance of doubt, an account holder with both Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits will earn the rates earned by account holders with Direct Deposit.

Members without either Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits, as determined by SoFi Bank, during a 30-Day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, will earn 1.20% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances.

Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 12/3/24. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.

Tax Information: This article provides general background information only and is not intended to serve as legal or tax advice or as a substitute for legal counsel. You should consult your own attorney and/or tax advisor if you have a question requiring legal or tax advice.

SOBK0123006

Guide to Filling Out a Deposit Slip

Steps to Fill Out a Deposit Slip

1. Entering Your Personal Details & Today’s Date Slip

2. Inputting The Amount of Your Deposit

Optional: List Cashback Required

3. Listing Each Individual Check Separately

4. Adding All Deposits to Get a Subtotal

5. Signing Your Deposit Slip

6. Take Your Receipt

Do You Need a Deposit Slip to Make Mobile Deposits?

The Takeaway

FAQ

What is written on the back of a deposit slip?

Can I print my own deposit slips?

Are deposit slips the same as checks?

Who keeps the original deposit slip?

Guide to Passbook Accounts

Get up to $300 when you bank with SoFi.

What Is a Passbook Savings Account?

How Do Passbook Savings Accounts Work?

Pros and Cons of Passbook Savings Accounts

Passbook Accounts vs. Savings Accounts

Similarities

Differences

Are Passbook Savings Accounts Still in Use?

The Takeaway

FAQ

Do any banks still have passbook accounts?

What is a disadvantage of a passbook savings account?

What is the interest rate on a passbook savings account?

Guide to Bank Notaries and What They Do

What Is a Bank Notary?

How Notarization Works

What Do Bank Notaries Do?

Jurats

Certified Copies

Acknowledgements

Are Bank Notaries Free?

How Do You Know If Your Bank Has a Notary?

Other Places to Find a Notary

The Takeaway

FAQ

What is bank notarization?

Can local banks notarize documents?

Where can I get notarized for free?

What Are Excessive Transaction Fees?

What Is an Excessive Withdrawal Fee?

Get up to $300 when you bank with SoFi.

Types of Transactions Considered

How Much Do Excessive Transaction Fees Cost?

Why Do Banks Charge Excessive Transaction Fees?

Tips to Avoid Excessive Transaction Fees

The Takeaway

FAQ

How much are excessive transaction fees?

Do all banks charge excessive transaction fees?

Why do banks charge excessive transaction fees?

Guide to Consumption Tax

What Are Consumption Taxes?

Get up to $300 when you bank with SoFi.

Types of Consumption Taxes

How Do Consumption Taxes Work?

Pros and Cons Consumption Taxes

Consumption vs Income Tax: What’s the Difference?

The Takeaway

FAQ

Can you deduct consumption tax?

Do you have to put consumption taxes on your yearly taxes?

How much do people spend on consumption taxes on average?

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