How do I earn this bonus?
- Open an eligible account. Your first qualifying direct deposit must arrive by December 31, 2026.
- Receive $5,000+ in qualifying direct deposits during the 25-day bonus period for $400; $1,000–$4,999.99 earns $50.
- Keep the checking account open and in good standing. Payout is within seven business days after completing requirements.
What counts—and what doesn’t.
Qualifying activity
- Recurring ACH income from an employer, payroll/benefits provider, or government agency.
Excluded or unsafe to assume
- Checks; Zelle, PayPal, Venmo, or Wise transfers; merchant payouts such as Stripe or Square; bank ACH transfers; wires; tax refunds; and nonrecurring deposits.
An early small eligible paycheck can start the clock before the larger deposits you planned.
Who is eligible for this offer?
Only members who have never set up SoFi direct deposit qualify. Payroll, pension, and government benefits can qualify; self-transfers and tax refunds do not.
No prior SoFi direct deposit. One bonus per member; joint-account deposits count toward the primary account holder’s eligibility.
U.S. offer; confirm availability for your address with the issuer. Bonus qualification does not guarantee account or credit approval.
What fees could reduce the bonus?
No monthly account fee. Other service fees may apply; see SoFi’s fee sheet.
When does the qualification clock start?
The first recognized eligible direct deposit of $1 or more starts the 25-calendar-day measurement period.
When should the bonus arrive?
Within seven business days after completing the requirements.
A concrete example
Hypothetical: $3,000 of qualifying deposits earns the $50 tier; $5,000 reaches $400. Below $1,000 earns no bonus.
Timing and availability
First deposit by Dec 31, 2026. This is a dated offer snapshot. Confirm that the promotion is still available before opening an account.
Questions before you apply
Does opening a SoFi account start the 25-day bonus window?
No. SoFi starts measuring when it receives and recognizes the first eligible direct deposit of at least $1. A small eligible deposit can start the clock.
Can both owners collect this bonus on a joint account?
Direct-deposit activity on a joint account counts toward the primary holder’s eligibility. Do not budget for two bonuses from that account.
What if SoFi did not recognize my payroll deposit?
Contact SoFi through its official support channel with details of the initial eligible deposit. SoFi may validate the payment and use that initial deposit to determine the measurement period. An unrecognized deposit is not an automatic extension.
Answers checked September 11, 2026 against SoFi’s official offer terms. Your enrolled offer controls; terms may change.
Prepare a useful bonus inquiry
Once the stated payout window has passed, gather the initial eligible deposit and the deposits received during the measurement period. Use the issuer’s secure support channel and ask: “Which requirement remains unmet, which transactions counted, and what payout timeline applies to my enrolled offer?” Keep the case number and response. This is our suggested recordkeeping workflow, not a promise of payment.
Compare this account’s requirements · Estimate the bonus after costs
Keep the terms. Track the steps.
Save this version of our summary with your dates and checklist. A later offer update will not rewrite your plan. Keep the official agreement and enrollment confirmation separately.
Use the date that starts this offer’s clock. Dates are estimates; confirm them with the issuer.
Read the terms saved in this plan
Saved in this browser, with no account required. Download a copy before clearing browser data. We do not send your dates or checklist to our server. Importing calendar dates may sync them through your calendar provider; its settings control notifications.
Your completion checklist.
Checkmarks are your notes, not confirmation from the issuer. Save a plan above to keep them with a specific offer summary.
Keep the terms with your checklist.
Save the official offer terms and your enrollment confirmation. Record the exact start date, qualifying activity, deadline, and expected payout. Check the issuer’s full account agreement for account-standing, holding-period, and early-closure conditions; this summary does not establish that there are none.
Keep the account open and eligible through payout. Review the full account agreement and promotion for any additional holding or early-closure conditions before closing.
If the bonus does not arrive
Wait through the stated payout window, then ask the issuer which condition remains unmet. Keep your offer confirmation, relevant statements or posted activity, and support case number. Share account documents only through the issuer’s secure channels.