How Much Cash Can You Deposit at a Bank? (2024)

Sample Bank Deposit Limits
InstitutionLimit
Capital One 360 CheckingOne-time cash deposit maximum at an ATM is $5,000
ChimeThree deposits per day, $1,000 per day, and $10,000 per calendar month when depositing cash at Walgreens
Alliant Credit Union$20,000 daily in cash at an ATM
Navy Federal Credit Union$10,000 per card, per day at a CO-OP ATM

Why Are Banks Required to Report Cash Deposits of More Than $10,000?

Banks must report your deposit to the federal government if it’s more than $10,000 to alert the federal government to monitor for potential financial crime.

Under the federal Bank Secrecy Act and USA PATRIOT Act, banks and other financial institutions must report cash deposits of more than $10,000 with a Currency Transaction Report (CTR) filing.

The $10,000 threshold could come from either a single cash deposit or multiple deposits in one day that add up to more than $10,000. This rule applies no matter what the purpose of the deposit is.

The Bank Secrecy Act and USA PATRIOT Act are aimed at fighting money laundering and terrorist activity.

How Can I Deposit More Than $10,000 in Cash?

To safely deposit a large amount of cash, visit a brick-and-mortar branch operated by your financial institution. Contact your financial institution if you plan to make a sizable deposit, said Christopher Naghibi, executive vice president and chief operating officer at First Foundation Bank. “This allows the bank to prepare and ensures a smoother process,” Naghibi said.

He suggested speaking to your bank about arranging for an armored transport if a significant volume of money is involved. “While it may sound straight out of a movie, it is something that some people do,” he said.

For particularly large deposits, it’s important to supply documentation that explains the source of the cash, such as business records or inheritance paperwork.

“And if you are depositing a large amount of money, you can absolutely anticipate being asked questions about it,” Naghibi said. “It is required under banking regulation[s].”

Note

Banks must keep records of any deposit you make of over $100 for at least five years, but can retain the records for longer if they wish.

What Is IRS Form 8300?

Suppose your business receives more than $10,000 in cash in one transaction or a related transaction. In that case, you normally must file a Form 8300 with the IRS and the federal government’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).

These two government agencies want this information to help them combat money laundering or detect criminals who launder money to hide illegal activity, such as drug trafficking or financing of terrorist activities.

You must file a Form 8300 within 15 days of an eligible cash transaction. Among those required to file this form are companies, corporations, partnerships, individuals, associations, trusts, and estates. Typical examples are attorneys; real estate brokers; insurance companies, and dealers in expensive items like jewelry, furniture, or cars.

A person or organization must file a Form 8300 if they receive more than $10,000 in cash from the source:

  • In one lump sum
  • In two or more related payments within 24 hours
  • As part of a single transaction or two or more related transactions within a 12-month period

What Is Structuring?

Authorities advise against employing a method called “structuring” to avoid reporting requirements for deposits. Structuring involves dividing transactions into smaller sums to skirt these requirements and prevent a CTR filing.

Federal banking law prohibits dividing a transaction into smaller sums to avoid CTR reporting. Structuring a transaction to keep a CTR from being submitted can lead to a prison term of up to five years and a fine of up to $250,000. In cases when structuring involves more than $100,000 spread across 12 months or breaks another federal law, the penalties are doubled.

Structuring is a common red flag for financial institutions and anti-crime officials, Naghibi said. “And believe it or not, this happens much more often than you might think. It doesn't always mean the customer is doing something wrong, but it does need to be looked into,” he said.

What Happens When Large Deposits Are Reported?

Financial institutions inform the federal government about deposits over $10,000 through CTR reports that go to FinCEN.

Banks and other financial institutions must electronically file a CTR for each currency transaction that exceeds $10,0000. This includes bank deposits, withdrawals, currency exchanges, payments, or transfers.

By federal law, a financial institution must obtain personal information about the person depositing $10,000—whether they are making the deposit for themselves or someone else. This information might be a Social Security number, driver’s license, or government-issued ID. This requirement kicks in regardless of whether the depositor has an account at the financial institution or not.

Note

Several depositors are exempt from the reporting requirement. They include banks, government agencies, payroll customers, and most companies whose stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) or NASDAQ Stock Market.

Business Owners Must Also Report Large Deposits

Business owners generally must report deposits exceeding $10,000. Among the types of businesses that must file an IRS Form 8300 for these deposits are jewelers, pawnbrokers, attorneys, real estate brokers, and car dealers. Even tax-exempt organizations might need to submit a Form 8300.

What might prompt a business to report a deposit over $10,000? The deposit of U.S. or foreign currency or coins of more than $10,000, as well the deposit of a cashier’s check, bank draft, traveler’s check, or money order with a face value of more than $10,000.

You cannot deposit foreign currency into your account at most U.S. bank ATMs. Check with your bank or ATM to find out if you can exchange foreign currency in person.

FDIC Insurance Limits


While a bank may allow you to deposit as much as you’d like in your account, you may want to factor in how your deposits will be protected. Bank account deposits are FDIC-insured for up to $250,000 per account. So deposits over that amount will not be protected if the bank fails.

If you have deposits at a credit union, your funds will be protected for up to the same amount only by the National Credit Union Association (NCUA).

How Much Cash Can You Deposit in Your Bank Account in a Month?

Deposit rules vary among financial institutions. Some financial institutions limit how much cash you can deposit monthly into a bank account. For instance, SoFi caps cash deposits into a SoFi Money account at $5,000 per month.

How Much Cash Can You Deposit in an ATM?

While financial institutions typically don’t restrict how much cash you can deposit at an ATM, you will generally face a limit on how many bills you can insert into the machine at one time. For example, an ATM might accept only 40 bills at a time, regardless of the denominations.

What Is the Bank Secrecy Act?

Congress passed the Bank Secrecy Act in 1970 to crack down on money laundering. This law requires financial institutions to keep diligent records for criminal, tax and regulatory matters. Unusual patterns or other suspicious activity such as bulk cash deposits may lead to a Suspicious Activity Report. Due to BSA, banks are also required to report deposits over $10,000 to the federal government.

The Bottom Line

Most banks have flexible policies on how much you can deposit. If you plan to deposit more than $10,000 at a bank, remember that the transaction will be reported to the federal government. This enables authorities to track potentially suspicious activity that may indicate money laundering or terrorist activity.

You may also want to consider how your funds will be protected when you decide how much to deposit. You can generally deposit as much as you’d like in most bank accounts.

How Much Cash Can You Deposit at a Bank? (2024)

FAQs

How Much Cash Can You Deposit at a Bank? ›

You can generally deposit as much as you want at a bank or other financial institution, but some banks may have extra rules and restrictions due to federal law and bank policy. For example, ATMs can limit the amount of bills you can deposit.

How much cash can you deposit in the bank without being questioned? ›

A cash deposit of more than $10,000 into your bank account requires special handling. The IRS requires banks and businesses to file Form 8300, the Currency Transaction Report, if they receive cash payments over $10,000. Depositing more than $10,000 will not result in immediate questioning from authorities, however.

Can I deposit $5000 cash in bank? ›

Depending on the situation, deposits smaller than $10,000 can also get the attention of the IRS. For example, if you usually have less than $1,000 in a checking account or savings account, and all of a sudden, you make bank deposits worth $5,000, the bank will likely file a suspicious activity report on your deposit.

Is depositing $2000 in cash suspicious? ›

As long as the source of your funds is legitimate and you can provide a clear and reasonable explanation for the cash deposit, there is no legal restriction on depositing any sum, no matter how large. So, there is no need to overly worry about how much cash you can deposit in a bank in one day.

Is there a limit to deposit cash in bank? ›

Cash deposit limits can be different for each bank or financial institution, but banks must report any deposits over $10,000 to the IRS. So, while you may be able to deposit more than $10,000 into your bank account, know that the bank will investigate, track and report that payment as a result to ensure it's legal.

What is the $3000 rule? ›

The requirement that financial institutions verify and record the identity of each cash purchaser of money orders and bank, cashier's, and traveler's checks in excess of $3,000.

How often can I deposit $10000 cash without being flagged? ›

The IRS requires Form 8300 to be filed if more than $10,000 in cash is received from the same payer or agent in any of the following ways: In one lump sum. In two or more related payments within 24 hours. As part of a single transaction or two or more related transactions within 12 months.

Can I deposit $7000 in cash to the bank? ›

If you're headed to the bank to deposit $50, $800, or even $1,000 in cash, you can go about your affairs as usual. But the deposit will be reported if you're depositing a large chunk of cash totaling over $10,000.

How much cash can you keep at home legally in US? ›

There is no restriction to how much of that you can possess or carry. There is however, a legal limit as $10,000 in cash when flying internationally.

How much cash can I deposit in a year without being flagged? ›

Banks must report cash deposits of more than $10,000 to the federal government. The deposit-reporting requirement is designed to combat money laundering and terrorism. Companies and other businesses generally must file an IRS Form 8300 for bank deposits exceeding $10,000.

How much cash can I deposit in a month without being flagged? ›

Depositing a big amount of cash that is $10,000 or more means your bank or credit union will report it to the federal government. The $10,000 threshold was created as part of the Bank Secrecy Act, passed by Congress in 1970, and adjusted with the Patriot Act in 2002.

How do you justify cash deposits? ›

Here are some examples of how to explain a cash deposit:
  1. Pay stubs or invoices.
  2. Report of sale.
  3. Copy of marriage license.
  4. Signed and dated copy of note for any loan you provided and proof you lent the money.
  5. Gift letter signed and dated by the donor and receiver.
  6. Letter of explanation from a licensed attorney.
Oct 5, 2023

Will I get audited for depositing cash? ›

Cash Deposits- By law, your bank notifies the IRS if you make cash deposits of $10,000 or more. Large Itemized Deductions- Charity is itemized, and if your deductions are much higher than others in your financial position, this could be a red flag.

What is the best way to deposit a large amount of cash? ›

Obtain a cashier's check.

A cashier's check has no limits, which also makes it a better option if you need to deposit a larger sum of money.

How do I deposit a large cash gift? ›

A: Under federal law, large cash gifts are allowed, but be aware of IRS gift tax rules. Banks will report cash deposits over $10,000, so it's wise to notify your bank before making a large deposit. Ensure you have documentation regarding the origin of the gift to address any future inquiries.

Can I deposit $4000 at ATM? ›

Deposit limits: Just like banks set daily withdrawal limits from ATMs, many set daily cash deposit limits as well, typically around $4,000 to $5,000. Some also limit the number of bills you can deposit at any given time, regardless of how much money they add up to.

How much cash can you put in the bank before it gets flagged? ›

When Does a Bank Have to Report Your Deposit? Banks report individuals who deposit $10,000 or more in cash. The IRS typically shares suspicious deposit or withdrawal activity with local and state authorities, Castaneda says.

How often can I deposit cash without being flagged? ›

$10K cash transactions trigger mandatory bank reporting. A pattern of under $10K deposits may trigger mandatory bank reporting of suspected “structuring” or “layering.” Same with suspected “smurfing” into multiple accounts.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Rubie Ullrich

Last Updated:

Views: 5849

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (72 voted)

Reviews: 87% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Rubie Ullrich

Birthday: 1998-02-02

Address: 743 Stoltenberg Center, Genovevaville, NJ 59925-3119

Phone: +2202978377583

Job: Administration Engineer

Hobby: Surfing, Sailing, Listening to music, Web surfing, Kitesurfing, Geocaching, Backpacking

Introduction: My name is Rubie Ullrich, I am a enthusiastic, perfect, tender, vivacious, talented, famous, delightful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.