It's far better to keep your funds tucked away in an Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation-insured bank or credit union where it will earn interest and have the full protection of the FDIC. 2.
Cash Isn't Necessarily Safer Than Investments
Some people want to stockpile cash because it makes them feel safer than risking their money in the market. And they have a point: All investments do come with some degree of risk. Cash is usually considered an entirely safe place to keep money.
What's the right amount of cash to keep on hand? From a financial planning standpoint, you should have cash of some kind in a savings account or multiple savings account. A general rule of thumb is to keep three to six month's worth of expenses in an emergency fund.
Turns out, it is possible to keep too much money in the bank, and tucking all of your savings there can actually hurt your long-term financial goals. That's not to say you shouldn't keep any money in the bank.
There's no legal limit on how much money you can keep at home. Some limits exist with bringing money into the country and in the form of cash gifts, but there's no regulation on how much you can keep at home.
The real danger of keeping money in a bank is that it's not a safe place. Banks are not insured against losses and can fail at any time. In fact, there's a high likelihood that your bank will go out of business before you do.
For more than 200 years, investing in real estate has been the most popular investment for millionaires to keep their money. During all these years, real estate investments have been the primary way millionaires have had of making and keeping their wealth.
Keeping cash at home is risky, especially when it's in large denominations. A home break-in is the type of emergency you won't have money for if your cash supply is stolen — physical money isn't insured and it's unlikely to be recovered.
Under the Bank Secrecy Act, banks and other financial institutions must report cash deposits greater than $10,000. But since many criminals are aware of that requirement, banks also are supposed to report any suspicious transactions, including deposit patterns below $10,000.
Another red flag that you have too much cash in your savings account is if you exceed the $250,000 limit set by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) — obviously not a concern for the average saver.
“We would recommend between $100 to $300 of cash in your wallet, but also having a reserve of $1,000 or so in a safe at home,” Anderson says. Depending on your spending habits, a couple hundred dollars may be more than enough for your daily expenses or not enough.
Key Insights. An emergency fund can serve as your personal safety net during periods of financial stress. While you're working, we recommend you set aside at least $1,000 for emergencies to start and then build up to an amount that can cover three to six months of expenses.
The Short Answer: Yes. The IRS probably already knows about many of your financial accounts, and the IRS can get information on how much is there. But, in reality, the IRS rarely digs deeper into your bank and financial accounts unless you're being audited or the IRS is collecting back taxes from you.
Banks and financial institutions must report any cash deposit exceeding $10,000 to the IRS, and they must do it within 15 days of receipt. Of course, it's not as cut and dried as simply having to report one large lump sum of money.
Generally, any person in a trade or business who receives more than $10,000 in cash in a single transaction or in related transactions must file a Form 8300.
You are losing out to inflation
By not putting your cash in a bank account where it can earn interest, you will be harder hit by inflation. In fact, your cash is certain to lose buying power over time. Say you hid $1,000 around your house a decade ago, in January 2012.
Buried in Your Yard
This is another go-to option for keeping your money safe and out of sight. Protect your cash with a protective bag or even a Ziploc, and then insert that bag inside a tin or jar. Ensure everything is sealed and waterproof as possible so the contents won't be susceptible to rot due to moisture.
High-Yield Checking Accounts
There are high-yield checking accounts that offer better interest rates than savings accounts. Some of these checking accounts offer up to a 2% annual percentage yield, in contrast to lower savings account rates.
Certificates of deposit (CDs) issued by banks and credit unions also carry deposit insurance. U.S. government securities–such as Treasury notes, bills, and bonds–have historically been considered extremely safe because the U.S. government has never defaulted on its debt.
Budgeting with multiple bank accounts could prove easier than with only one. Multiple accounts can help you separate spending money from savings and household money from individual earnings. Tracking savings goals. Having multiple bank accounts may help track individual savings goals more easily.
You could invest your $100,000 in real estate, real estate investment trusts (REITs), stocks, or other securities. Thoroughly research your options and speak with a professional, such as a broker or investment advisor, to help you choose the investment that will generate the income you desire.
The Takeaway
So, can the government take money out of your bank account? The answer is yes – sort of. While the government may not be the one directly taking the money out of someone's account, they can permit an employer or financial institution to do so.