Management wants to charge non-customers for cashing tax refund checks. Does anyone know the limitations for these fees in the state of Georgia?

I don't think there is one...they even allow for charges on non-customer on-use checks now.

I believe most banks that charge, charge a percentage of the check.

I think it is 5% or 50.00 - whichever is greater, but for federal and state benefits it is 3% or 5.00 whichever is greater

Do you know where I might find that in writing?

Everything I find is in regards to actual "check cashers" and I can't find any rules that apply specifically to banks in regards to this topic.

7-1-706. Check-cashing fees; limitation of fees

(a) No licensed casher of checks shall:

(1) Charge check-cashing fees, except as otherwise provided in this Code section, in excess of 5 percent of the face amount of the check or draft or $5.00, whichever is greater;

(2) Charge check-cashing fees in excess of 3 percent of the face amount of the check or draft or $5.00, whichever is greater, if such check or draft is the payment of any kind of state public assistance or federal social security benefit payable to the bearer of such check or draft; or

(3) Charge check-cashing fees for personal checks or money orders in excess of 10 percent of the face amount of the personal check or money order or $5.00, whichever is greater.

(b) No registered casher of checks shall charge check-cashing fees, except as otherwise provided in this Code section, in excess of 2 percent of the face amount of the check or draft or $2.00, whichever is greater.

7-1-700. Definitions


As used in this article, the term:

(1) "Check casher" means an individual, partnership, association, or corporation engaged in cashing checks, money orders, or other drafts for a fee. Such fee may be payable in cash, in the form of exchange of value in excess of regular retail value, in the form of mandatory purchase of goods or services by patrons, or in the form of the purchase of catalog items or coupons or other items indicating the ability to receive goods, services, or catalog items.

(2) "Licensed casher of checks" means any individual, partnership, association, or corporation duly licensed by the department to engage in business pursuant to the provisions of this article.

I don't know if there is additional verbiage modifying these rules for banks, but you've got a good place to start looking.

FOUND THIS IN TITLE 7:

§ 7-1-709. Applicability of article

(a) This article shall not apply to any bank, trust company, credit union, building and loan association, or savings and loan association which is chartered under the laws of this state or under federal law and which has lawfully entered this state to engage in a banking business.

(b) This article shall not apply to any individual, partnership, association, or corporation which cashes checks for which no fee is charged.

Since we are on the check cashing topic. Was wondering if MSB have to register with the GA Dept of Banking if they charge less than 2% and they do not cash over 1,000 per day?

Georgia MSB Registration and Licensing Requirements