FAQs
Citing potential fraud, banks are making it increasingly difficult to pay out savings bonds. An unlikely beneficiary is the federal government.
Can you still cash EE bonds at a bank? ›
Where do I cash in a savings bond? You can cash paper bonds at a bank or through the U.S. Department of the Treasury's TreasuryDirect website. Not all banks offer the service, and many only provide it if you are an account holder, according to a NerdWallet analysis of the 20 largest U.S. banks.
When did banks stop selling savings bonds? ›
Since January 1, 2012, paper savings bonds are no longer available at banks or other financial institutions. Paper Series I bonds can still be bought with IRS tax refunds, but Series EE bonds are available only in electronic form. There are two types of savings bonds currently available.
Is there a penalty for not cashing EE bonds after 30 years? ›
While the Treasury will not penalize you for holding a U.S. Savings Bond past its date of maturity, the Internal Revenue Service will. Interest accumulated over the life of a U.S. Savings Bond must be reported on your 1040 form for the tax year in which you redeem the bond or it reaches final maturity.
How much is a $100 series EE bond worth after 30 years? ›
How to get the most value from your savings bonds
| Face Value | Purchase Amount | 30-Year Value (Purchased May 1990) |
|---|
| $50 Bond | $100 | $207.36 |
| $100 Bond | $200 | $414.72 |
| $500 Bond | $400 | $1,036.80 |
| $1,000 Bond | $800 | $2,073.60 |
You can skip paying taxes on interest earned with Series EE and Series I savings bonds if you're using the money to pay for qualified higher education costs. That includes expenses you pay for yourself, your spouse or a qualified dependent. Only certain qualified higher education costs are covered, including: Tuition.
How do I cash in old EE bonds? ›
How do I cash my electronic bonds? Go to your TreasuryDirect account. Go to ManageDirect. Use the link for cashing securities.
Do you pay taxes when you cash in EE bonds? ›
Interest from EE U.S. savings bonds is taxed at the federal level but not at the state or local levels for income. The interest that savings bonds earn is the amount that a bond can be redeemed for above its face value or original purchase price.
Does cashing EE bonds count as income? ›
I cashed some Series E, Series EE, and Series I savings bonds. How do I report the interest? In general, you must report the interest in income in the taxable year in which you redeemed the bonds to the extent you did not include the interest in income in a prior taxable year.
Is now a good time to cash in savings bonds? ›
The answer depends on your goals, when you bought the I bond and the fixed rate for the bond, says Enna. For example, if you bought one in October 2022 — when many investors snapped up I bonds to capture the 9.62% rate for six months before the rate reset — your optimal redemption date was January 1, 2024, Enna says.
You can call the Savings Bond Processing Site at (800) 553-2663 to check on the status of a savings bond.
Do savings bonds expire after 30 years? ›
Key takeaways. Savings bonds are a government-backed, reliable investment that earn interest, reaching full maturity after 30 years.
Do I have to report savings bonds on my taxes? ›
Savings bond interest is subject to federal income tax; however, taxation can be deferred until redemption, final maturity, or other taxable disposition, whichever occurs first. You also have the option of claiming interest annually for federal income tax purposes.
When you receive a savings bond worth $100 you can cash it for $100 right away? ›
You may not cash in a savings bond for the first 12 months after purchase, and if you redeem before five years have passed, you'll lose three months' worth of interest as a penalty. The government issued its very first savings bond in 1935, and several types have been offered over the years.
Will I get a 1099 for cashing in savings bonds? ›
If you cash a paper savings bond by mailing it to Treasury Retail Securities Services, we mail you a 1099 by January 31 of the following year. (You can call us for a duplicate statement, if needed, beginning February 15.)
What is the easiest way to cash savings bonds? ›
The only option for cashing electronic savings bonds is by logging in to your TreasuryDirect account online. If you have paper savings bonds, you can fill out the appropriate form and mail it and the bonds you want to cash to the Treasury Retail Securities Services — the address is listed on FS Form 1522.
What percentage of savings bonds are never cashed? ›
Only about one percent of all matured savings bonds have not been redeemed, but that still amounts to a substantial sum of money owed to our citizens.
What happens to EE bonds after 30 years? ›
If you still have a paper EE bond, check the issue date. If that date is more than 30 years ago, it is no longer increasing in value and you may want to cash it.
