Which tax companies offer refund advances you can get online

Refund advances (also called refund anticipation loans or RALs) are short-term loans secured by your expected tax refund. The companies that offer them online are mostly the same ones that prepare your taxes: H&R Block, TurboTax, Jackson Hewitt, Liberty Tax, and TaxACT. Not all of them offer the product in every state, and the terms, fees, and speed vary significantly between them.

The basic structure is the same across all providers: you file your return through their platform, they lend you money against what the IRS owes you, and the IRS pays them back directly when your refund arrives. The loan itself arrives in your bank account within one to three business days in most cases. You pay interest and fees upfront, which are deducted from the loan amount you receive.

Availability depends on your state and the company. Some states restrict or prohibit these loans entirely. Even in states where they are legal, not every tax preparer offers them, and some only offer them to customers who also use their tax preparation service.

Key Takeaways

  • H&R Block, TurboTax, Jackson Hewitt, Liberty Tax, and TaxACT are the main providers, but not all operate in every state.
  • You must file your tax return through the same company offering the loan, and your refund must be direct-deposited for the loan to work.
  • Fees typically range from $30 to $200 depending on the loan amount and your state, and interest rates vary by lender and state regulation.
  • The loan arrives in your account within one to three business days, but you pay the fees immediately, so you receive less than the full loan amount.
  • Some states do not allow these loans at all, and others cap the fees or interest rates, so check your state's rules before you commit.

H&R Block refund advances

H&R Block offers a Refund Advance through their online tax preparation platform. You must file your return with H&R Block and choose direct deposit to your bank account. The loan amount depends on your expected refund, and H&R Block will tell you the fee when you review the offer before accepting it.

The loan typically arrives within one business day if you are approved and accept the terms. H&R Block deducts the fee from the loan amount, so if your refund is $3,000 and the fee is $89, you receive $2,911. The actual fee varies by state and refund size; some states cap what H&R Block can charge.

H&R Block does not offer refund advances in all states. Check their website or call their support line to confirm whether the product is available where you live. If you use H&R Block's free online filing (for simple returns), you may not be may be able to access for a refund advance; the product is typically tied to their paid tax preparation tiers.

TurboTax refund advances

TurboTax offers a Refund Advance through Pathward, a financial services company. You file your return with TurboTax, and during the filing process, you will see an option to borrow against your refund. Like other advances, you must use direct deposit and accept the terms before the loan is issued.

TurboTax's refund advance typically arrives within one to two business days. The fee is shown to you before you accept, and it is deducted from the loan amount you receive. TurboTax does not offer this product in all states; availability depends on state law and TurboTax's partnership agreements.

TurboTax's free tier (for simple returns) does not include refund advance options. You must use one of their paid tiers to access the product. If you are already paying for TurboTax's tax preparation, the refund advance is an add-on you can choose at filing time.

Jackson Hewitt and Liberty Tax refund advances

Jackson Hewitt and Liberty Tax both offer refund advances, but they operate differently from the online-only platforms. Both companies have physical locations and online filing options. If you file online with either company, you can request a refund advance during the filing process.

Jackson Hewitt's refund advance (called a Refund Advance Loan) is available in most states where the company operates. Liberty Tax's product is similar. Both require direct deposit and deduct fees upfront. The loan typically arrives within one to three business days.

Because Jackson Hewitt and Liberty Tax also operate retail locations, you may have the option to walk into a store and apply in person, which can sometimes speed up approval. However, if you file online, the process is the same as other online providers: you file, accept the loan terms, and the money arrives in your bank account.

TaxACT refund advances

TaxACT offers a Refund Advance through a partner lender. The product is available during the online filing process if you live in a state where TaxACT operates it. You must choose direct deposit and accept the loan terms before the advance is issued.

TaxACT's refund advance typically arrives within one to two business days. The fee structure is similar to other providers: you see the fee before accepting, and it is deducted from the loan amount. TaxACT's free filing tier does not include refund advances; you must use a paid tier to access the product.

TaxACT is generally one of the lower-cost tax preparation options, but that does not always translate to lower refund advance fees. Compare the total cost (tax preparation plus loan fee) across providers before you decide.

Fees, interest rates, and what you actually receive

Refund advance fees are not simple interest rates; they are flat fees charged upfront. A typical fee ranges from $30 to $200 depending on your refund amount and your state. Some states cap the maximum fee; others do not. The fee is deducted from the loan amount you receive, so you do not pay it separately.

For example, if your refund is $2,500 and the fee is $75, the loan you receive is $2,425. You do not pay the $75 out of pocket; it comes out of the money the lender gives you. This means the effective cost is higher than the flat fee suggests, because you are paying to borrow your own money for a short time.

Some lenders also charge interest in addition to the flat fee, though this varies by state and lender. A few states prohibit interest charges on refund advances altogether. Before you accept a refund advance, the lender must show you the total cost in dollars and as an annual percentage rate (APR). Read this disclosure carefully.

States where refund advances are restricted or unavailable

Not all states allow refund advances. Some states prohibit them entirely, and others restrict them heavily. States that have banned or severely limited refund advances include New York, Connecticut, and a few others. Even in states where they are legal, some lenders choose not to operate.

If you live in a state where refund advances are restricted, you will not see the option during online filing, or the lender will tell you it is not available. Do not assume a company does not offer refund advances nationwide; check your specific state before you file.

State regulations also affect the maximum fee a lender can charge. Some states cap fees at a percentage of the loan amount or a flat dollar amount. If you live in a state with a fee cap, you will pay less than someone in a state with no cap, even if you borrow the same amount from the same lender.

How to compare refund advances across providers

When you are deciding whether to take a refund advance and which company to use, compare the total cost, not just the fee. The total cost includes the tax preparation fee (if any) plus the refund advance fee. Some companies offer free tax preparation but charge higher refund advance fees; others charge for both.

Get the fee quote from each company before you commit. Most online tax preparation platforms show you the refund advance fee before you accept the loan, so you can see the exact amount you will pay. Write down the fee from each company and calculate what you will actually receive after fees are deducted.

Also consider the speed. Most refund advances arrive within one to three business days, but some lenders are faster than others. If you need the money urgently, speed matters. However, do not let speed alone drive your decision; a slightly slower loan with lower fees is usually the better deal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a refund advance if I file my taxes with one company but want to use another company's loan?

No. Refund advances are tied to the tax preparation platform you use. If you file with TurboTax, you can only borrow through TurboTax's refund advance partner. You cannot file with one company and borrow through another. This is why it matters which company you choose for tax preparation.

What happens if my refund is smaller than I expected?

The loan amount is based on your expected refund as calculated during filing. If the IRS processes your return and your actual refund is smaller, you still owe the full loan amount plus fees. The IRS will pay the lender first, and any remaining refund goes to you. If your refund is smaller than the loan, the lender absorbs the difference, not you.

Do I have to take a refund advance if I file online with one of these companies?

No. Refund advances are optional. You can file your taxes online and choose not to borrow. You will still receive your refund through direct deposit on the normal IRS timeline (usually 21 days or less), and you will not pay any loan fees.

Can I get a refund advance if I owe taxes instead of getting a refund?

No. Refund advances are only available if you are expecting a refund. If you owe taxes, you cannot borrow against a negative number. You would need to pay what you owe or set up a payment plan with the IRS.

Is a refund advance the same as a tax refund loan?

Yes, these terms are used interchangeably. A refund advance, refund anticipation loan (RAL), and tax refund loan all refer to the same product: a short-term loan secured by your expected tax refund. The names vary by company and state, but the structure is the same.