The three ways to deposit cash

You can deposit cash at an ATM, at a teller window inside your bank branch, or through a mobile app if your bank offers mobile deposit. The fastest and most available option is usually the ATM — most banks have them 24 hours a day, and the deposit posts to your account within one business day. A teller window is slower but lets you ask questions and deposit large amounts without limits. Mobile deposit (taking a photo of a check) does not work for cash, so that option is only for checks.

Which method you choose depends on how much cash you have, when you need to deposit it, and whether your bank charges fees for each type. Some banks charge nothing for any deposit method. Others charge a small fee for ATM deposits or for deposits at branches outside your home region.

Key Takeaways

  • ATM deposits are available 24 hours and usually post within one business day, making them the fastest option for most people.
  • Teller deposits at a branch have no daily limits and let you ask questions, but require the branch to be open during business hours.
  • You need your debit card or account number to use an ATM, and your ID to use a teller window.
  • Some banks charge fees for deposits at ATMs or at branches outside your home region — check your account agreement to know what applies to you.
  • Cash deposits are final once they post; the bank does not reverse them the way it can reverse a check or transfer.

Depositing cash at an ATM

Insert your debit card into the ATM and enter your PIN. Select "Deposit" from the menu. The machine will ask you to insert bills one at a time or in a stack, depending on the model. Count your cash before you start so you know the total. The ATM will display the amount it counted — verify this matches what you put in. If it does not, remove your cash and try again or use a teller instead.

Once you confirm the amount, the ATM will ask which account to deposit to (if you have more than one). Select the correct account and complete the transaction. The ATM will print a receipt showing the deposit amount and the time. Keep this receipt until you see the deposit in your account online, usually within one business day. If the deposit does not appear after two business days, contact your bank with the receipt.

ATM deposits have daily limits set by your bank — commonly $1,000 to $5,000 per day, though some banks allow more. Check your account agreement or call your bank to learn your limit. If you need to deposit more than the limit, you can make multiple deposits on different days, or go to a teller window.

Depositing cash at a teller window

Go to your bank branch during business hours with your cash and a form of ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID). Tell the teller you want to make a cash deposit. Hand over your cash and your debit card or account number. The teller will count the cash in front of you, enter the amount into the system, and ask which account to deposit to.

The teller will give you a receipt showing the deposit amount, the date, and the time. This receipt is your proof of deposit. The money posts to your account immediately or within one business day, depending on the time of day you deposit. Deposits made after a certain time (usually 2 or 3 p.m.) may not post until the next business day.

Teller deposits have no daily limit — you can deposit as much cash as you want in a single transaction. This makes the teller window the best choice if you are depositing a large amount. Tellers can also answer questions about your account while you are there, which is useful if something about the deposit is unclear.

What happens after you deposit cash

Once the ATM or teller accepts your deposit, the money is yours. It will appear in your account balance within one business day. Business days are Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays. A deposit made on Friday afternoon may not show up until Monday. A deposit made on a holiday will not post until the next business day after that.

You can withdraw the cash or spend it using your debit card as soon as it posts. Unlike checks, which banks can reverse if they turn out to be fraudulent, cash deposits are final. The bank cannot take the money back once it has posted to your account.

If you deposit a very large amount of cash — typically $10,000 or more in a single deposit or multiple deposits within a short time — your bank is required by federal law to file a report with the government. This is normal and does not mean you have done anything wrong. The bank will not ask your permission; they simply file the report. You will not see a fee or notice on your account.

Fees and limits to know about

Most banks do not charge a fee for cash deposits at your home branch or at your own ATM. However, some banks charge a fee if you deposit cash at an ATM outside their network, or at a branch in a different region. Check your account agreement or call your bank to learn what fees apply to you.

If you use a competitor's ATM to deposit cash, that ATM's bank may also charge you a fee. This fee goes to them, not to your bank. Some banks reimburse these fees for their customers; others do not. Again, your account agreement will say.

ATM daily deposit limits vary widely. Some banks allow $1,000 per day; others allow $5,000 or more. If you hit the limit, you can deposit again the next day, or go to a teller window, which has no limit. Call your bank or log into your account online to find your specific limit.

What to do if the ATM rejects your cash

ATMs sometimes reject bills that are torn, very old, or marked in ways that confuse the machine's scanner. If this happens, the ATM will return your cash. Count it to make sure you got all of it back, and try a different ATM or go to a teller window instead.

If the ATM accepts your cash but the deposit does not appear in your account after two business days, contact your bank right away. Bring the receipt the ATM printed. The bank can look up the transaction and investigate. In rare cases, the ATM malfunctioned and did not actually process the deposit, even though it seemed to. The bank can correct this once they confirm what happened.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I deposit cash into someone else's account?

No. You can only deposit cash into an account in your own name. If you want to give money to someone else, deposit it into your account first, then transfer it to theirs using a bank transfer, or withdraw it and give them the cash directly.

What if I deposit cash and then realize I made a mistake with the amount?

If you deposited at a teller, tell them immediately — they can void the deposit and redo it. If you deposited at an ATM and the amount is wrong, contact your bank within two business days with your receipt. The bank can investigate and correct the error if the ATM miscounted.

Do I have to report cash deposits to the IRS?

Your bank reports large deposits (typically $10,000 or more) to the government, but this is not the same as reporting to the IRS for tax purposes. Whether you owe taxes on the cash depends on where it came from. If it is income, you may owe taxes. If it is a gift or a loan, you may not. Talk to a tax professional about your situation.

Can I deposit cash at a different bank's ATM?

Yes, but you may be charged a fee by both your bank and the other bank. Some banks belong to shared ATM networks that waive these fees for members. Ask your bank whether they are part of a network and which ATMs you can use for free.

How long does a cash deposit take to show up?

Cash deposited at an ATM or teller usually posts within one business day. If you deposit after 2 or 3 p.m. on a weekday, it may not post until the next business day. Deposits made on weekends or holidays post on the next business day after that.