The TJ Maxx return policy is both loved and hated at the same time. It’s loved because they’ll take back most items even after the return window has closed. It’s hated because they can be a bit stingy on taking back items that have been washed, even when there is nothing malicious going on. Let’s break down their return policy fully, along with some hacks to make it really work for you in the future.

How Many Return Days Does TJ Maxx Give Me?

30 days.

You have 30 days from the date of purchase to bring back any items to a TJ Maxx location for a return or exchange.

After 30 days, returns with a receipt (and often without a receipt too) will be given store credit for the item’s current price.

PRO TIP: MANY MANAGERS TAKE BACK EVERYTHING

While it might not be a sustainable approach, many TJ Maxx managers will take back everything. So if you’re on the fence about returning those shoes you bought 6 months ago and have worn several times, you should do it because 9 times of 10 the manager is going to okay it. The key for success is to have at least your receipt or the original price tag and be okay with store credit. But according to this Reddit thread, that might not even be necessary.

Receipt Not Required for a Return

The TJ Maxx official line is this, “To make your returns quicker and easier please keep your receipt.”

But having a receipt in hand is NOT a requirement for a return.

In most cases, they’ll happily give you store credit when you don’t have your receipt.

To make a return happen without a receipt you’ll need to provide a government issued photo I.D., name, signature, and address.

They collect this information to track your returns and make sure you don’t abuse their return policy.

While they don’t have an official policy on how many “no-receipt returns” you can make, it’s safe to assume that several a month will get their attention and they could ban you from returning items for a specific amount of time.

See Also: 9 Killer Ways to Shop Smart and Save Money at TJ Maxx

PRO TIP: TJ MAXX IS ON TO YOU

I have a good friend who worked at TJ Maxx for several years and she told me that people would buy stuff from the dollar store, put a TJ Maxx price sticker on it, then try to return it without a receipt. She told me experienced cashiers get very good at detecting merchandise that was not originally sold at TJ Maxx. She also said they would try to swipe and record people’s IDs if they could and put them in their system as “fraudulent returners” getting them banned from future returns.

Do NOT Make Too Many Returns Without a Receipt

If the TJ Maxx return “system” thinks you’re making too many returns without a receipt, you’ll be given a printout which essentially is a “warning” about making too many of these types of returns.

The printout will also state that your next receipt-less return might not be accepted and you could be banned from making returns without a receipt in the future.

It’s my understanding that the “return ban” could be permanent, although some shoppers seem to think it only lasts a year. (Let me know in the comments if you know)

TIP: The best way to avoid this is to ALWAYS select “Email and Print Receipt” when checking out. That way you’ll have the receipt in your inbox in case you ever need to retrieve it.

Your Options After the 30-Day Return Window

If you bought an item over 30 days ago, you can STILL return it for store credit as long as the tags are attached.

You’ll get whatever the current selling price is.

PRO TIP: “LOSE” YOUR RECEIPT AFTER 6 MONTHS

If you find something in your closet two years after you bought it from TJ Maxx, you can return it but DON’T bring your receipt as you don’t want them to know how long ago you bought it. Also, from commenter Nicole, “DO NOT MENTION that it has been years.”

Returning Something That’s Been Washed

This one gets a bit tricky.

Their official policy is NOT to accept returns on items that have been worn or washed.

But if you plead your case, the manager will often agree to the return.

This is especially true for items that shrunk badly in the wash or lost most of their color.

You might need to be the squeaky wheel to make this happen.

A word of warning: Know exactly what you’re buying and wash it in accordance to the label instructions so you don’t have to deal with this issue.

How To Return an Online Order

You have 2 options. You can either return items in-store or via UPS.

• In-Store Returns: Completely free to return online orders in-store with 40 days. Just bring items back to your local TJ Maxx with your receipt, packing slip, or shipping confirmation email.
• Return via Mail: This is gonna cost you a $11.99 shipping and handling fee. Be sure the item gets back to TJ Maxx via UPS before 40 days. Otherwise you’ll have to settle for merchandise credit. Your original package comes with a return shipping label.
• Note: An exact exchange is NOT available when returning online orders via the mail. This is due to an ever-changing online inventory.

If you have a TJ Maxx in your area, you’re obviously much better off returning items in-store to avoid the return shipping fee.

The only way they’ll waive the $11.99 fee is if the item is defective.

PRO TIP: PAYPAL WARNING

When using PayPal for an online order, you’ll be refunded via PayPal on a return, but you’ll have to pay $10 to mail the package back. For an in-store return, you’ll be forced to accept merchandise credit. If you want to get the money refunded to your PayPal account, you’ll have to pay $10 to mail the package back to them. Thanks to commenter Bee for this great tip.

Some Items Are Ineligible for a Return

They include the following four things.

• Gift Cards: You can’t return them for cash, nice try though.
• In-Store Purchases Can’t be Returned Online: Only online purchases can be returned via the mail.
• Items over $1,000 Can’t Be Returned In-Store
• Handbags priced over $499.99 Can’t Be Returned In-Store

I’ll add new items that are non-returnable as I discover them.

Returning Items with a Gift Receipt

When returning items with a gift receipt, be aware that you’ll only get store credit or an exact exchange.

You won’t be given cash.

Do this after 30 days of purchase and you’ll be stuck with the current price of the item. Hopefully it won’t be on clearance as you’ll be stuck with the clearance price.

TJ Maxx’s Holiday Return Policy

TJ Maxx has a very helpful holiday season extended return policy.

All purchases made between October 8th – December 24th can be returned through January 25th.

Their normal return policy applies to all purchases made on or after 12/26.

See Also: 37 Popular Stores That Also Offer Extended Holiday Returns

Can I Get a Cash Refund If I Used a Debit Card?

If you still have the receipt and you’re still within the return window, YES you can get cash back.

Returns Bought with a TJX Credit Card

Many shoppers are curious about this.

So I pulled out my magnifying glass and found the boiler plate on the TJX site and discovered that “Points will be deducted for any returns or credits made on your account.”

In short, they will take back the points you earned when you make a return.

See Also: Temu Return Policy: Way Cheaper Clothes Than TJ Maxx

Can’t Return Opened Food Items

You’re stuck with food items once you open them.

The only caveat to this is if the food is unsafe to eat through no fault of your own, in which case you have a good chance for a refund.

Can You Return TJ Maxx Items to Marshalls?

No.

Even though both are owned by the same company, you can’t mix returns between the two.

TJ Maxx Return Policy Hacks:

1. Keep Tags on Items

Don’t take the tag off the item until you’re absolutely sure you want to keep it.

This is because many stores will give you the price on the tag when making a return, no matter how long ago you made the purchase.

2. Swimwear & Lingerie Returns

The price tag must be “properly attached” to all swimwear and lingerie if you want to return it.

Not exactly sure what “properly attached” means. In any case, this is a health issue and this policy attempts to keep worn items off the rack.

3. Jewelry Returns

You’ll need to return jewelry items directly to the TJ Maxx jewelry counter. Because of this, you must return jewelry ONLY to a location that actually carries jewelry.

4. Purchases Made with a Gift Card

When returning these purchases you’ll have to settle for store credit which can be used for both online and in-store purchases.

See Also: HomeGoods Returns: Can You Return TJ Maxx Stuff to Home Goods?

Ask the Reader: What’s been your experience with the TJ Maxx return policy? Good, bad, or ugly, let me know in the comments.

By Kyle James

Kyle James( Owner/Founder )

I started Rather-Be-Shopping.com in 2000 and have become a consumer expert and advocate writing about out-of-the-box ways to save at stores like Amazon, Walmart, Target and Costco to name a few. I’ve been featured on FOX News, Good Morning America, and the NY Times talking about my savings tips. (Learn more)