Same-day and next-day refund loans are available from tax preparation companies, online lenders, and some banks, but availability depends on your filing status and the lender's current capacity
If you have already filed your tax return and need cash before the IRS sends your refund, a refund anticipation loan (also called a refund advance) can reach your bank account the same day or next business day. The speed depends on which lender you use, what time you apply, and whether your return has been accepted by the IRS.
Tax preparation chains like H&R Block, Jackson Hewitt, and Liberty Tax offer these loans in-office and online. Online lenders such as MoneyLion, Brigit, and Earnin also provide them. Some banks and credit unions run their own programs. The catch: you pay a fee (typically $15 to $100 or more), and the lender holds your refund as collateral until the IRS pays them back.
Speed matters here because lenders have limits on how many loans they can fund per day. If you call at 9 a.m. on a weekday, you have a better chance of same-day funding than if you call at 4 p.m. or on a weekend.
Key Takeaways
- Tax preparation companies like H&R Block can fund refund loans the same day if you apply before their daily cutoff, usually mid-afternoon on a business day.
- Online lenders may take one to two business days even if you apply immediately, because they verify your return status with the IRS before funding.
- You must have already filed your return and received an IRS acceptance notice before any lender will process a loan.
- Fees range from $15 to $100 or more depending on the lender and loan size, and the lender will deduct this from your refund when it arrives.
- If your return is still being processed or has been rejected, no lender will fund a loan until the IRS accepts it.
Tax preparation companies offering same-day funding
H&R Block, Jackson Hewitt, and Liberty Tax all offer refund anticipation loans through their offices and websites. H&R Block calls theirs a "Refund Advance" and can fund it the same day if you apply in-office before 2 p.m. local time on a business day. Jackson Hewitt offers "Rapid Refund" loans with similar timing. Liberty Tax has "Liberty Tax Refund Advance" available in-office and online.
To get same-day funding from a tax prep company, you must have already filed your return through them and received the IRS acceptance confirmation. Walk in or log into their website, request the loan, and provide your bank account details. The lender verifies your return status with the IRS (this takes minutes to a few hours), then deposits the money. Fees typically run $25 to $75 depending on the loan amount.
If you did not file through that company, you can still request a loan, but the process takes longer because they have to obtain your return information from the IRS first. This usually adds one to two business days.
Online lenders and fintech apps
MoneyLion, Brigit, Earnin, and similar apps offer refund advances through their platforms. These are not traditional loans—they are advances against your refund, meaning the lender holds the refund as collateral. You download the app, connect your bank account, upload a photo of your filed return or IRS acceptance notice, and request the advance.
Most online lenders take one to two business days to fund, even if you apply at midnight. They need time to verify your return with the IRS and confirm the refund amount. Some advertise "instant" funding, but this usually means the money lands within 24 hours, not within minutes. Weekend applications typically process on the next business day.
Fees for online lenders are often lower than tax prep companies—sometimes $0 to $15 if you are a member of their service, or $15 to $50 if you are not. However, some charge a percentage of the advance rather than a flat fee. Read the terms carefully before you confirm.
Banks and credit unions with refund loan programs
Some banks and credit unions offer refund anticipation loans to their account holders. Wells Fargo, Chase, and regional credit unions sometimes run these programs, though availability changes year to year. Call your bank's customer service line or visit a branch to ask whether they offer refund advances and what the requirements are.
Bank programs often have lower fees than tax prep companies or online lenders, sometimes as low as $10 to $25. However, they typically require you to be an existing account holder and may have stricter income or credit requirements. Funding speed is usually one to two business days.
Credit unions tend to be more flexible than large banks. If you belong to a credit union, contact them first—they may offer refund loans to members even if the bank does not.
What you need before applying for a same-day loan
You must have filed your tax return and received an IRS acceptance notice. This is the confirmation email or document the IRS sends after it processes your return. Without this, no lender will fund a loan. If your return is still "processing" or shows an error, you cannot get a refund loan until the IRS accepts it.
Have your bank account information ready—routing number and account number. You will also need a valid government ID and your Social Security number. Some lenders ask for recent pay stubs or proof of income, though this is less common for refund loans than for other types of credit.
If you are applying through a tax prep company, have your return documents or access to your filed return. If you are using an online lender, you may need to upload a photo of your IRS acceptance notice or give the lender permission to pull your return information from the IRS directly.
Why same-day funding might not happen
Even if you apply early in the day, same-day funding can fail for several reasons. The IRS may not have accepted your return yet—acceptance can take a few hours to a few days after you file. The lender's daily funding limit may be reached. Your bank may not process the deposit until the next business day, even if the lender sends it same-day. Or the lender may flag your application for manual review if something looks unusual.
If you apply on a Friday afternoon or over the weekend, expect funding on Monday at the earliest. If you apply on a holiday, funding will not happen until the next business day. Some lenders do not process applications on weekends at all.
If your return shows a large refund or unusual income, the lender may take longer to verify it with the IRS. This is a fraud check and is normal—it usually adds one business day.
Comparing fees and terms before you borrow
Refund loan fees vary widely. A $500 advance might cost $15 at one lender and $75 at another. Before you apply, compare the fee structure across at least two or three lenders. Some charge a flat fee, some charge a percentage of the advance, and some charge both.
Ask each lender: What is the fee? When is it deducted—now or when the refund arrives? What happens if the IRS refund is smaller than expected? What if the IRS rejects or delays your return? Some lenders will refund your fee if the IRS does not pay them back on time; others will not.
Also ask about the interest rate, if any. Refund advances are technically loans, and some lenders charge interest on top of the fee. This can make the true cost much higher than the advertised fee alone.
What to do if you cannot get same-day funding
If no lender will fund you today, the next option is to wait for your refund directly from the IRS. You can check the status using the IRS "Where's My Refund?" tool on irs.gov. Most refunds arrive within 21 days of filing if you chose direct deposit. If you chose a paper check, add another 7 to 10 days.
If you need cash urgently and cannot get a refund loan, consider a short-term personal loan from a bank or credit union, a cash advance from your employer, or a payday loan (though payday loans are expensive and should be a last resort). Some nonprofits and community organizations also offer emergency cash assistance—call 211 to find local programs.
If your return was rejected or is still processing, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 or visit irs.gov to find out why. Fixing the problem is faster than waiting for the IRS to contact you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a refund loan if I have not filed my return yet?
No. You must file your return first and receive an IRS acceptance notice. The lender needs proof that the IRS has accepted your return and knows how much your refund will be. Filing and acceptance usually takes a few hours to a few days, depending on how you file and whether the IRS finds errors.
What happens if the IRS refund is smaller than the loan amount?
The lender will take the refund when it arrives and deduct the loan amount and fee from it. If the refund is smaller than the loan, you may owe the lender the difference. Read the loan agreement to see whether you are responsible for a shortfall. Some lenders absorb the loss; others pursue you for it.
Can I get a refund loan if I owe back taxes or child support?
Probably not. If you owe back taxes, the IRS will intercept your refund to pay them. If you owe child support, the state may intercept it. Lenders know this and will not fund a loan if they believe the refund will be intercepted. You can check whether your refund will be intercepted by calling the IRS or your state tax agency before you apply.
Do I have to use the lender's tax preparation service to get a refund loan?
No. Most lenders will fund a refund loan even if you filed your return through a different company or on your own. However, the process takes longer because the lender has to request your return information from the IRS. Same-day funding is much more likely if you filed through the lender offering the loan.
What if I applied for a refund loan and got rejected?
Ask the lender why. Common reasons include: the IRS has not accepted your return yet, your refund will be intercepted, your income is too low, or the lender flagged your application for fraud review. If the reason is that your return has not been accepted, wait a day or two and try again. If the reason is interception or income, try a different lender—their standards vary.