Here’s What Happens if You Deposit More Than $10,000 in Cash Into Your Bank Account

This post may contain affiliate links which may compensate us based on your interaction. Please read the disclosures for more information.

[[{“value”:”Image source: Getty Images
The Bank Secrecy Act of 1970 requires banks to file a report with the federal government if a customer deposits or withdraws more than $10,000 in cash in a 24-hour period. This is meant to help the government spot and investigate potential money laundering.Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!
Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes. If you’re not doing anything illegal, then you have nothing to worry about. But if you try to dodge the reporting requirements, you could land yourself in hot water.Here’s what you need to know about making cash deposits of over $10,000.Want to earn 10 times the national average APY? Check out our list of the best high-yield savings accounts and start earning more interest today.How it worksIf your cash deposits or withdrawals at a single bank add up to more than $10,000 in a 24-hour period, that bank is required by law to send a “cash transaction report” (CTR) to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).The CTR includes:Your nameYour addressYour Social Security numberYour driver’s license number (if you have one)The date, amount, and type of the transactionBank employees are not required to tell you they’re filing a CTR. However, they are required to verify your identity first.Bank employees may ask you additional questions, like where the money came from. You don’t have to answer, but it’s best to be honest. If the bank thinks you’re dodging questions, that may raise a red flag.CTRs all go to one database so that FinCEN can look for signs of illegal activity. A single CTR is unlikely to get FinCEN’s attention. But several CTRs — from a single bank or from multiple banks — may trigger an investigation.Follow the rules and play it coolIf you need to deposit more than $10,000 cash in your bank account, then go for it. Don’t break it up into smaller deposits to avoid a report to the Feds. This is known as “structuring,” and it’s illegal.If a bank thinks you’re structuring your cash transactions, then it will file a “suspicious activity report” — and that’s guaranteed to get FinCEN’s attention. Structuring is punishable by a fine of up to $250,000, up to five years in prison, or both.And if you think you’re slick enough to stay under the bank’s radar, know that many banks today use software that can spot suspicious activity much better than your average teller.Make sure your bank allows large depositsA lot of banks don’t allow cash deposits of over $10,000 within a 24-hour period. Some of the best savings accounts don’t even let you deposit that much cash in a month.If you have over $10,000 cash to deposit, but your bank won’t let you deposit that much at once, then you may need to…Open a new savings or checking account at a bank that allows larger cash deposits. You can then electronically transfer the funds to another account if you’d like.Make multiple smaller deposits. It is not considered “structuring” — and therefore it’s not illegal — if you’re only trying to stay within your bank’s deposit limits.In any case, it’s best to call your bank and tell them what you need. They’ll let you know the best plan of action.Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!
Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes. We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from Motley Fool Money is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.”}]] [[{“value”:”

The Bank Secrecy Act of 1970 requires banks to file a report with the federal government if a customer deposits or withdraws more than $10,000 in cash in a 24-hour period. This is meant to help the government spot and investigate potential money laundering.

Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026

This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!

Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes.

If you’re not doing anything illegal, then you have nothing to worry about. But if you try to dodge the reporting requirements, you could land yourself in hot water.

Here’s what you need to know about making cash deposits of over $10,000.

Want to earn 10 times the national average APY? Check out our list of the best high-yield savings accounts and start earning more interest today.

How it works

If your cash deposits or withdrawals at a single bank add up to more than $10,000 in a 24-hour period, that bank is required by law to send a “cash transaction report” (CTR) to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).

The CTR includes:

• Your name
• Your address
• Your Social Security number
• Your driver’s license number (if you have one)
• The date, amount, and type of the transaction

Bank employees are not required to tell you they’re filing a CTR. However, they are required to verify your identity first.

Bank employees may ask you additional questions, like where the money came from. You don’t have to answer, but it’s best to be honest. If the bank thinks you’re dodging questions, that may raise a red flag.

CTRs all go to one database so that FinCEN can look for signs of illegal activity. A single CTR is unlikely to get FinCEN’s attention. But several CTRs — from a single bank or from multiple banks — may trigger an investigation.

Follow the rules and play it cool

If you need to deposit more than $10,000 cash in your bank account, then go for it. Don’t break it up into smaller deposits to avoid a report to the Feds. This is known as “structuring,” and it’s illegal.

If a bank thinks you’re structuring your cash transactions, then it will file a “suspicious activity report” — and that’s guaranteed to get FinCEN’s attention. Structuring is punishable by a fine of up to $250,000, up to five years in prison, or both.

And if you think you’re slick enough to stay under the bank’s radar, know that many banks today use software that can spot suspicious activity much better than your average teller.

Make sure your bank allows large deposits

A lot of banks don’t allow cash deposits of over $10,000 within a 24-hour period. Some of the best savings accounts don’t even let you deposit that much cash in a month.

If you have over $10,000 cash to deposit, but your bank won’t let you deposit that much at once, then you may need to…

• Open a new savings or checking account at a bank that allows larger cash deposits. You can then electronically transfer the funds to another account if you’d like.
• Make multiple smaller deposits. It is not considered “structuring” — and therefore it’s not illegal — if you’re only trying to stay within your bank’s deposit limits.

In any case, it’s best to call your bank and tell them what you need. They’ll let you know the best plan of action.

Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026

This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!

Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes.

We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from Motley Fool Money is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

“}]] Read More