Which tax preparation companies offer refund advances
Refund advances — sometimes called refund anticipation loans or RALs — are offered by some tax preparation chains and independent tax offices, but not all. The major tax preparation companies that currently market refund advances include H&R Block, Jackson Hewitt, Liberty Tax Service, and some regional or independent tax preparers. However, availability varies by location, by the tax preparer's current partnerships with lenders, and by your specific tax situation.
H&R Block offers what it calls a "Refund Advance" through its retail locations and online service. Jackson Hewitt and Liberty Tax Service both advertise refund advance products at their physical offices. Smaller independent tax preparation businesses may also offer them, though you will need to call or visit to confirm. The IRS does not regulate which preparers can offer these loans, so the landscape changes year to year as preparers form and drop lending partnerships.
Not every tax preparer location offers the product even if the company does nationally. A franchise location might not have a lender relationship in place, or might have decided not to market it. Call ahead or ask when you arrive for your appointment.
Key Takeaways
- H&R Block, Jackson Hewitt, and Liberty Tax Service are the largest chains currently offering refund advances, but availability depends on your location and the specific office.
- Refund advances charge fees (typically $50 to $300) and interest rates that vary by lender, and you repay the loan from your actual refund when it arrives.
- You can only get a refund advance after your tax return is prepared and filed, not before, because the lender needs to know the refund amount.
- Independent tax preparers and some community organizations may offer refund advances, so calling around can reveal options beyond the national chains.
- The loan is not from the IRS or the government — it is from a private lender, and the tax preparer takes a fee for arranging it.
How to find a tax preparer offering refund advances in your area
Start by calling the nearest H&R Block, Jackson Hewitt, or Liberty Tax Service location and asking whether they currently offer refund advances. Tell them your state and ask about fees and the timeline — this information changes and varies by location. Many of these chains have store locators on their websites where you can find phone numbers.
If you prefer to work with an independent tax preparer, search online for "tax preparation near me" or "tax refund advance [your city]" to find local offices. Call and ask directly whether they offer refund advances and what the cost is. Community action agencies and nonprofit tax preparation programs (often free or low-cost) rarely offer refund advances, but it is worth asking.
You can also contact your state's tax department or the IRS to ask whether they maintain a list of preparers in your area — most do not, but some state revenue offices have directories. The National Association of Tax Professionals (NATP) has a member directory searchable by location, though membership does not may provide a preparer offers refund advances.
What the cost actually is
Refund advance fees typically range from $50 to $300, depending on the lender, the size of your refund, and the preparer. Some preparers charge a flat fee; others charge a percentage of the loan amount. Interest rates (called the annual percentage rate, or APR) vary widely — from around 36% to over 200% APR, though you only pay interest for the days you hold the loan, which is usually one to three weeks.
The total cost is not always transparent upfront. A preparer might quote you a $100 fee but not mention that the lender also charges interest. Before you agree, ask for the total dollar amount you will owe back, not just the fee. If the preparer cannot or will not give you a number, do not proceed — you have the right to know the cost before you sign.
Some preparers bundle the refund advance fee with their tax preparation fee, making it harder to see what you are paying for the loan itself. Ask them to break it down: how much for preparing your return, and how much for the refund advance loan.
Timeline: when you can get the money
You cannot get a refund advance until after your tax return is prepared and filed. The lender needs to know your refund amount before they will lend against it. This means the earliest you can receive a refund advance is the same day you file, if the preparer has a lender relationship in place and processes it immediately.
In practice, most refund advances are funded within one to three business days of filing. The money usually goes into a temporary account or prepaid card that the lender sets up, and you can access it right away. When your actual tax refund arrives from the IRS (typically three to five business days for direct deposit, or two to three weeks for a check), the lender takes their loan repayment and fees from it automatically.
If your actual refund is smaller than expected, you may owe money back to the lender out of pocket. If your refund is larger, you keep the difference after the loan and fees are paid.
Online tax preparation services and refund advances
Most online tax preparation services — including TurboTax, TaxAct, and TaxSlayer — do not offer refund advances directly. These services prepare your return and file it electronically, but they do not have lending partnerships. However, some online preparers partner with third-party lenders or offer links to refund advance products through their platform.
If you use an online service and want a refund advance, you will typically need to contact a tax preparer in person or call a lender directly. Some lenders advertise refund advances online and will work with a return you have already prepared, though this is less common than it once was.
Check your online tax service's website or call their support line to ask whether they offer or refer refund advances. If not, you can still file your return with them and then pursue a refund advance through a local tax preparer or lender separately.
What happens if the preparer or lender closes
If a tax preparer goes out of business after you receive a refund advance, you still owe the lender. The loan is between you and the lender, not between you and the preparer. The lender will contact you for repayment when your tax refund arrives, or they will pursue collection if you do not repay.
If a lender closes or goes out of business, the loan may be sold to another lender or collection agency. You should continue to track your refund status and be prepared to repay whoever contacts you. Keep records of the loan agreement and any communications about it.
This is one reason to get the loan agreement in writing before you sign anything. Make sure you understand who the actual lender is (not just the tax preparer), and keep their contact information.
Alternatives to refund advances
If you need money before your tax refund arrives, consider whether a refund advance is actually the cheapest option. A personal loan from a credit union, a credit card cash advance, or a short-term loan from a family member might cost less, depending on the interest rates available to you.
If you are filing your taxes late or expect a delay, a refund advance might not help — the lender still needs to know your refund amount, which requires a filed return. In that case, waiting for your refund or finding another source of short-term money may be better.
Some tax preparers offer payment plans for their preparation fees, which is different from a refund advance. If you cannot afford the tax prep fee upfront, ask whether the preparer will let you pay after you receive your refund.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a refund advance if I owe taxes instead of getting a refund?
No. A refund advance is a loan against your expected refund, so you must have a refund coming. If you owe taxes, you cannot get a refund advance. You can set up a payment plan with the IRS to pay what you owe over time.
What if my refund is delayed or smaller than expected?
If your refund is delayed, the lender may charge additional interest or fees while you wait. If your refund is smaller than expected, you will owe the difference to the lender out of pocket. This is why it is important to understand the loan terms before you sign.
Do I have to use the tax preparer's refund advance, or can I shop around?
You do not have to use the preparer's lender. You can prepare your return with one company and then contact a different lender or preparer about a refund advance. However, the lender will need a copy of your filed return to process the loan.
Will a refund advance hurt my credit?
Most refund advances do not appear on your credit report because they are short-term loans that are repaid automatically from your tax refund. However, if you fail to repay and the lender reports it to a collection agency, it can affect your credit. Ask the lender whether they report to credit bureaus before you sign.
Can I get a refund advance if I file my taxes myself?
You can file your own taxes and then contact a lender or tax preparer about a refund advance, but most lenders prefer to work with a tax preparer who prepared the return. Some lenders will work with a self-filed return if you provide documentation, but this is less common.