How Do I Cash My US Savings Bonds?

Savings bonds can be cashed in any bank for up to $1,000.

To cash a savings bond, what documentation do I need?

If you want to redeem a paper E/EE or I bond, you’ll need a few items. You’ll also need confirmation of identity, such as a driver’s license from the United States. You’ll also need an FS Form 1522 that hasn’t been signed. They’ll see you sign the document and then certify your signature if you go to your local bank or credit union.

The unsigned bonds, along with the signed FS Form 1522 and, if you’re the bond’s beneficiary, accompanying legal evidence or other papers to indicate you’re entitled to cash the bond, should be sent to the US Department of Treasury at:

The same steps apply for series H or HH paper bonds, only you’ll ship the unsigned bonds to the US Treasury at:

After 30 years, how much is a $50 EE savings bond worth?

Savings bonds are regarded as one of the most secure investments available. The underlying principle is that the value of a savings bond grows over time, but it’s easy to lose track of how much it’s worth over time.

The TreasuryDirect savings bond calculator, fortunately, makes determining the value of a purchased savings bond a breeze. You’ll need the bond series, face value, serial number, and issuance date to figure out how much your savings bond is worth.

If you bought a $50 Series EE bond in May 2000, for example, you would have paid $25. At maturity, the government committed to repay the face amount plus interest, bringing the total value to $53.08 by May 2020. A $50 bond purchased for $25 30 years ago is now worth $103.68.

Is it possible to cash savings bonds that are not in your name?

When it comes time to cash in your savings bonds, as long as you have the necessary documentation, the process will be relatively simple. It’s important to keep in mind that savings bonds cannot be sold, exchanged, or given away. The only person who can cash in the bond is the person whose name is on it (with a few exceptions, which we’ll discuss shortly).

First and first, you’ll need the bond (unless it’s an electronic bond, in which case there’s no step at all). The monies are deposited into your bank account once you cash it in via the Treasury Web site). However, make certain that the bond may be cashed: It’s been at least a year since it was published (some bonds only require a six-month retention period).

When cashing in savings bonds, how do I avoid paying taxes?

Cashing your EE or I bonds before maturity and using the money to pay for education is one strategy to avoid paying taxes on the bond interest. The interest will not be taxable if you follow these guidelines:

  • The bonds must be redeemed to pay for tuition and fees for you, your spouse, or a dependent, such as a kid listed on your tax return, at an undergraduate, graduate, or vocational school. The bonds can also be used to purchase a computer for yourself, a spouse, or a dependent. Room and board costs aren’t eligible, and grandparents can’t use this tax advantage to aid someone who isn’t classified as a dependent, such as a granddaughter.
  • The bond profits must be used to pay for educational expenses in the year when the bonds are redeemed.
  • High-earners are not eligible. For joint filers with modified adjusted gross incomes of more than $124,800 (more than $83,200 for other taxpayers), the interest exclusion begins to phase out and ceases when modified AGI reaches $154,800 ($98,200 for other filers).

The amount of interest you can omit is lowered proportionally if the profits from all EE and I bonds cashed in during the year exceed the qualified education expenditures paid that year.

Is it possible to deposit a savings bond at an ATM?

Can I use an ATM or a night drop to deposit my savings bonds? Any savings bond transaction, whether depositing or cashing, must be completed in person. The teller processing the transaction must witness the endorsement of the bond, and acceptable identification must be presented.

When you cash in your savings bonds, do you have to pay taxes?

Taxes can be paid when the bond is cashed in, when the bond matures, or when the bond is relinquished to another owner. They could also pay the taxes annually as interest accumulates. 1 The majority of bond owners choose to postpone paying taxes until the bond is redeemed.

Is it possible to cash a savings bond at Walmart?

As of 2022, Walmart does not cash savings bonds. Instead, you can cash a paper savings bond at a local bank or credit union. The TreasuryDirect interface can be used to cash electronic bonds. A savings bond can only be cashed after one year of ownership.

Where can you have savings bonds redeemed?

You can cash in (“redeem”) your savings bonds in a few different ways. If you bought your savings bond electronically, such as a Series EE or Series I bond, you can redeem it online through your TreasuryDirect account and have the money placed into your checking or savings account within a few days.

You may usually redeem a paper savings bond at a local bank or credit union if you have one. More than 95 percent of savings bonds are cashed at local banks and credit unions, according to the Treasury Department. However, some older savings bond series cannot be redeemed at a bank or credit union; in these cases, you must fill out a special form FS Form 1522 and mail the bond to the Treasury Department’s Treasury Retail Security Services team with a certified signature and direct deposit instructions.

Even if your bank or credit union is unable to cash an older bond for you, or if you have special circumstances, such as needing to redeem a bond inherited as part of a deceased person’s estate, the bank will usually be able to explain the redemption process and certify your signature on the Treasury form. So, if you’re in doubt, go to the bank first.