What is a direct deposit payment?

Direct deposit is an electronic method of payment, whereby your funds are deposited directly into your bank account. No paper warrant (state issued check) is issued.

What are the benefits of direct deposit?

Direct deposit payments are transferred directly from the State of Idaho to your preferred bank account. This mitigates the potential for forged, lost or stolen warrants. Cancelling and reissuing a warrant in response to these issues can delay payment by several days.

Receiving your payments by direct deposit can be more reliable, eliminating potential for mistakes in check handling and manual deposits (mail room or the post office) where checks can be misdirected or lost.

How reliable and safe are direct deposits?

Direct deposit uses the Automated Clearing House (ACH) network – the same network used by your bank to handle transactions with other banks. When direct deposits are credited to your account (two days after the payment is processed), the funds become available immediately.

How do I sign up for direct deposit payments?

Complete and sign the Combined Substitute W-9/Direct Deposit Authorization Form.

SCO will accept only the most current version of the Combined Substitute W-9 as we continue to try to meet IRS requirements, National Automated Clearing House (NACHA) rules, and the requirements of the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). A link to the W-9 is located under Related Links on the left menu of this page.

• Online Form - Fill out and submit the form with an attached scan of a voided check (not a deposit slip) or bank verification letter of your checking or saving account number. Form location: https://www.sco.idaho.gov/LivePages/STARS-Forms.aspx 
  
• E-mail - Attach the form along with a scan of a voided check (not a deposit slip) or bank verification letter of your checking or savings account number to an email addressed to servicedesk@sco.idaho.gov.
  
• Mail - Fill out the form and send it along with a voided check (not a deposit slip) or a bank verification letter of your checking or savingsaccount number to the following address:
  

Idaho State Controller's Office

P.O. Box 83720

Boise, ID 83720-0011

-To reduce the risk of fraud, the SCO may contact you to verify the banking information you provide-

After the forms and documentation are reviewed, your information will be recorded in the Statewide Accounting System. Idaho State Controller’s Office (SCO) personnel will then request a "pre-note" verification of the bank account information directly from your financial institution. Due to constraints related to COVID-19, processing your direct deposit request may take up to 30 days to complete. Until the Direct Deposit setup process is completed, payments will be made by Idaho State warrant (paper check).

Why do I need to attach a voided check?

A voided check provides the information needed to assure that your direct deposit is sent to the correct account at your financial institution. If you chose to not provide a voided check, then your financial institution can provide the same information (ACH routing number, account number and type of account) in letter format on their letterhead.

Can I have more than one bank account?

For any one address or business name there can be only one bank account assigned. Arrangements should be made with your financial institution to transfer funds from the bank account you designate for direct deposits to other accounts as necessary.

If I decide to participate in this program, will I receive all my State of Idaho payments electronically?

Not necessarily. Tax refunds and certain benefits payments from Idaho Department of Health and Welfare are processed using a different vendor list than that what is used to process other regular invoice type payments.

Also, if your business has more than one ‘remit to’ address or more than one business name, you must set up each address or business name separately to receive direct deposit payments for each. However, you can assign different bank accounts to each unique address or business name.

If I am already signed up for Direct Deposit, how do I notify the State of changes to my account?

To update your bank account information or EIN, complete and submit the most current version of the Combined Substitute W-9 Authorization Form:

• Online Form - Fill out and submit the form with an attached scan of a voided check (not a deposit slip) or bank verification letter of your checking or saving account number. Form location: https://www.sco.idaho.gov/LivePages/STARS-Forms.aspx 
  
• E-mail - Attach the form along with a scan of a voided check (not a deposit slip) or bank verification letter of your checking or savings account number to an email addressed to servicedesk@sco.idaho.gov.
  
• Mail - Fill out the form and send it along with a voided check (not a deposit slip) or a bank verification letter of your checking or savingsaccount number to the following address:
  

Idaho State Controller's Office

P.O. Box 83720

Boise, ID 83720-0011

-To reduce the risk of fraud, the SCO may contact you to verify the banking information you provide-

To update your business name, business type or mailing address, send an e-mail to servicedesk@sco.idaho.gov. Please include the vendor name and a phone number in the e-mail so that we can contact you with any questions. We do not recommend including your EIN or social security number in any e-mail. Updates can also be mailed on company letterhead (not applicable to individuals) to:

What if I change banks and forget to notify you?

If your original account is closed, the funds are returned through the ACH network to the Idaho State Treasurer’s Office and credited to the agency’s account. If this should happen, a warrant will be mailed to you. While the returning and reissuing is done as quickly as possible, the process will delay your receipt of the payment by a week or two.

How will I know that I have received a direct deposit payment?

Payment information is available on the State Controller’s Web site through the Vendor Remittance Advice application. Direct deposit warrant numbers on the remittance advice begin with a 0 (zero). Review Vendor Remittance FAQs on the SCO Website for more information.

What if I cannot identify the payment from the remittance information?​

Call the agency that is paying you at the telephone number provided on the remittance advice.

Will my bank notify me that I have received a direct deposit payment?

Each financial institution has its own internal procedures. Please contact your financial institution for more information.

How soon will the direct deposit be in my account?

The funds become available two days after the payment has successfully processed through STARS. For example, if the payment is processed on Monday, the funds will be available on Wednesday.

What is a warrant?

A warrant is a promise to pay and is due only if cash is available at the time of presentment. (By contrast, a check is a demand draft that is due immediately upon presentment for payment.)

Am I required to participate in the program?

No. Although the Idaho State Controller’s Office (SCO) in encouraging participation, direct deposit is a voluntary program. The SCO believes that the advantages and benefits of direct deposit (eliminating check handling and delays, plus strengthened internal controls and improved cash management opportunities) are significant. If you do not participate in direct deposit, warrants will be printed and mailed as they are now and payment notification will remain unchanged.

Who do I contact if I have additional questions?

Contact the Vendor Coordinator at servicedesk@sco.idaho.gov​ or (208) 334-3100, option 3..