FreeTaxUSA does not offer refund advance loans
FreeTaxUSA is a tax preparation software that helps you file your federal and state returns. It does not lend money against your expected refund, and it does not partner with lenders who do. If you file through FreeTaxUSA and want to borrow against your refund before the IRS deposits it, you will need to use a different service or lender.
Some tax preparation companies — H&R Block, TurboTax, Jackson Hewitt, and others — offer refund advance loans, also called refund anticipation loans or RALs. These are short-term loans that arrive within days, meant to bridge the gap between filing and receiving your actual refund. FreeTaxUSA does not provide this product.
Key Takeaways
- FreeTaxUSA does not offer refund advance loans or partner with lenders who do.
- If you need money before your refund arrives, you can look into refund advance loans through other tax preparation services or standalone lenders.
- Refund advance loans typically charge fees ranging from $25 to $300 depending on the lender and loan size, and arrive within one to three business days.
- The IRS typically deposits refunds within 21 days of accepting your return, so waiting may cost you nothing if you can manage the delay.
How refund advance loans work at other tax services
If you file your taxes through H&R Block, TurboTax, Jackson Hewitt, or Liberty Tax, you can often request a refund advance loan as part of the filing process. The lender reviews your return, approves the loan amount (usually up to your expected refund), and deposits the money into your bank account within one to three business days.
The loan is repaid automatically when your actual refund arrives. The IRS sends the refund directly to the lender, who takes the loan amount plus fees and sends you the remainder. You do not have to repay the loan yourself — it happens in the background.
These loans are not free. Fees vary by lender and loan size but typically range from $25 to $300. Some lenders charge a flat fee; others charge a percentage of the loan. Ask the tax service for the exact fee before you agree.
Timeline: waiting for your refund versus borrowing against it
The IRS typically deposits refunds within 21 days of accepting your return. If you file early in the tax season (January or February), you may receive your refund within 10 to 14 days. If you file closer to the April deadline, the timeline may stretch closer to 21 days or longer.
A refund advance loan arrives in one to three business days but costs you a fee. Your actual refund arrives for free but takes longer. The choice depends on whether you need the money immediately or can wait a few weeks without paying a fee.
| Option | Time to receive money | Cost | How it works |
|---|---|---|---|
| Refund advance loan | 1–3 business days | $25–$300 fee | Borrow against expected refund; repaid when IRS deposits actual refund |
| Wait for IRS refund | 10–21 days (varies by filing date and method) | No cost | IRS deposits refund directly to your bank account |
Alternatives if you need money before your refund arrives
If you file through FreeTaxUSA and need cash before your refund arrives, you have a few options. You can file your return through a different tax service that offers refund advance loans — H&R Block, TurboTax, Jackson Hewitt, and Liberty Tax all do. You will need to re-enter your information, but the process takes 15 to 30 minutes.
You can also look into standalone refund advance lenders that are not tied to a tax preparation service. Some credit unions and online lenders offer refund advances. Search for "refund advance loan" or "refund anticipation loan" to find current options, and compare fees before you choose.
A third option is to use a personal loan or credit card if you have access to one. These may have higher interest rates than a refund advance loan, but they give you more flexibility about repayment timing.
Why FreeTaxUSA does not offer refund advances
FreeTaxUSA is a low-cost tax preparation service focused on keeping filing fees minimal. Refund advance loans require partnerships with lenders and add complexity to the filing process. By not offering them, FreeTaxUSA keeps its service simple and its costs down.
This is a trade-off: you pay less to file, but you do not have the option to borrow against your refund through the same service. If you value the refund advance option, you may prefer a service that offers it. If you want the lowest filing cost and can wait for your refund, FreeTaxUSA remains a good choice.
How to track your refund after filing with FreeTaxUSA
After you file through FreeTaxUSA, the IRS sends you a confirmation number. Use that number and your Social Security number to check your refund status on the IRS website at irs.gov/refunds. The tool updates once per day and tells you whether the IRS has received your return, accepted it, and when your refund is expected to arrive.
You can also sign up for IRS email or text notifications about your refund. These alerts tell you when the IRS accepts your return and when your refund is deposited. This is free and takes 30 seconds to set up on the IRS website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I file with FreeTaxUSA and then get a refund advance loan elsewhere?
Yes, but you would need to file your return again through a tax service that offers refund advances. You cannot take a return filed with FreeTaxUSA and use it to get a loan from another lender. The lender needs to prepare the return themselves to verify the refund amount and approve the loan.
What if I already filed with FreeTaxUSA and now need money before my refund arrives?
You can contact a standalone refund advance lender or your bank to see if they offer short-term loans. You can also look into a personal loan or credit card advance. These options do not require you to re-file your taxes.
Are refund advance loans a good deal?
That depends on how urgently you need the money. If you can wait 10 to 21 days for your refund, you save money by waiting. If you need cash within days and have no other options, a refund advance loan may be worth the fee. Compare the fee to the cost of other borrowing options before you decide.
Does FreeTaxUSA charge extra if I want my refund deposited quickly?
No. FreeTaxUSA does not charge for direct deposit, and the IRS timeline is the same regardless of which tax service you use. The only way to get your refund faster is to borrow against it through a refund advance loan.