Jackson Hewitt uses multiple banks depending on the refund advance product you choose
Jackson Hewitt does not use a single bank for all refund advances. The bank that holds your money depends on which refund advance product you select at tax time. The two main options are the Refund Advance Loan (also called a RAL) and the Refund Transfer (also called a RT). Each uses different banking partners, and the choice affects how fast you get your money and what fees you pay.
If you take a Refund Advance Loan, Jackson Hewitt partners with Republic Bank (based in Ohio) to issue the loan. The loan itself is not a tax refund—it is money Republic Bank lends you against your expected refund, and you repay it when your actual refund arrives at the IRS. If you choose a Refund Transfer instead, Jackson Hewitt uses Pathward Bank (formerly Metabank, based in Iowa) to receive your IRS refund directly and hold it temporarily before sending it to you.
The difference matters because a Refund Advance Loan gets you cash in one to two business days, but you pay loan fees. A Refund Transfer takes longer (usually three to five business days after the IRS processes your return) but may have lower or no fees depending on the product tier you choose.
Key Takeaways
- Jackson Hewitt's Refund Advance Loan uses Republic Bank and delivers cash in one to two business days, but charges a loan fee.
- Jackson Hewitt's Refund Transfer uses Pathward Bank and takes three to five business days after IRS processing, with fees that vary by product level.
- Both banks are third-party partners; Jackson Hewitt does not hold your refund itself.
- You choose which product at the time you file your taxes with Jackson Hewitt, and the choice determines which bank receives your refund.
- The IRS sends your actual refund to whichever bank you selected, not directly to you.
How the Refund Advance Loan works with Republic Bank
When you choose a Refund Advance Loan at Jackson Hewitt, you are borrowing money from Republic Bank, not receiving your tax refund early. Republic Bank approves the loan based on your expected refund amount, and Jackson Hewitt charges you a fee for arranging it. The loan is typically deposited into a temporary account at Republic Bank within one to two business days of approval.
You then receive the loan funds via direct deposit to your own bank account, a prepaid card, or a check—whichever method you chose during filing. When your actual IRS refund arrives (usually within two to three weeks), it goes directly to Republic Bank to repay the loan. You never see that refund; it automatically settles the debt. If your refund is larger than the loan, Republic Bank sends you the difference.
The loan fee varies by location and current promotions, but typically ranges from $75 to $150. Some Jackson Hewitt offices offer promotional rates during tax season. You pay this fee upfront or have it deducted from your loan proceeds.
How the Refund Transfer works with Pathward Bank
A Refund Transfer is not a loan. Instead, you authorize the IRS to send your actual refund directly to Pathward Bank, which holds it temporarily and then transfers it to you. This is a real refund, not borrowed money. Pathward Bank receives the refund from the IRS, and Jackson Hewitt arranges the transfer to your bank account or prepaid card.
The timeline is longer because Pathward Bank must wait for the IRS to process your return and send the refund. This usually takes three to five business days after the IRS accepts your return, though it can take longer during peak tax season. Once Pathward receives the funds, the transfer to you typically happens within one business day.
Fees for a Refund Transfer depend on the product tier. Jackson Hewitt offers different levels—some with no fee, some with a flat fee of $15 to $30, and some with higher fees if you add other services like tax preparation or audit support. Ask your tax preparer which tier is included in your package.
Why Jackson Hewitt uses different banks for different products
Jackson Hewitt uses Republic Bank for loans and Pathward Bank for transfers because each bank specializes in different services. Republic Bank has the infrastructure to approve and issue short-term loans quickly, which is why the Refund Advance Loan is so fast. Pathward Bank specializes in receiving IRS refunds on behalf of tax preparation companies and routing them to consumers, which is why it handles the Refund Transfer.
Neither bank is affiliated with Jackson Hewitt—they are third-party financial institutions that Jackson Hewitt contracts with. This arrangement allows Jackson Hewitt to offer both a fast-cash option (the loan) and a lower-cost option (the transfer) without managing the banking side itself.
How to find out which bank your refund is going to
Your tax preparer at Jackson Hewitt will tell you which product you selected during the filing process. Look at your tax return paperwork or the receipt you received after filing. It should state whether you chose a Refund Advance Loan or a Refund Transfer. If it says Refund Advance Loan, your money went through Republic Bank. If it says Refund Transfer, it went through Pathward Bank.
You can also call the Jackson Hewitt location where you filed and ask them to confirm which product is on your return. Have your Social Security number and the year you filed ready. They can also tell you the expected timeline for your specific refund based on when the IRS accepted your return.
What to do if your refund does not arrive on time
If you chose a Refund Advance Loan and your money did not arrive within two business days, contact Jackson Hewitt first. They can check with Republic Bank to see if there was a delay in the loan approval or deposit. Common reasons include a mismatch in your banking information, a hold placed by your bank, or a processing error at Republic Bank.
If you chose a Refund Transfer and your money did not arrive within the expected timeframe, the delay is usually on the IRS side, not Pathward Bank. Check the IRS Where's My Refund tool at irs.gov using your Social Security number, filing status, and refund amount. If the IRS shows your refund as accepted and processed, but you have not received it, contact Jackson Hewitt and ask them to check the status with Pathward Bank. Pathward can confirm whether the IRS sent the refund and when it was transferred to you.
Keep your Jackson Hewitt receipt and any confirmation emails. They contain the account number or reference number that both Jackson Hewitt and the bank will need to investigate a missing refund.
Fees and costs to expect with each bank
Republic Bank charges are built into the Refund Advance Loan fee that Jackson Hewitt quotes you. You will not see a separate charge from Republic Bank on your paperwork. The total loan fee is what Jackson Hewitt tells you upfront, and it typically ranges from $75 to $150 depending on your location and the time of year.
Pathward Bank does not charge you directly either. Any Refund Transfer fee comes from Jackson Hewitt's pricing structure. Some Jackson Hewitt packages include a Refund Transfer with no additional fee. Others charge $15 to $30 for the transfer, or bundle it with other services. Ask your tax preparer to break down all fees before you file so you know what you are paying.
Neither bank charges you to receive your refund once it arrives. If your bank charges a fee to deposit funds into your account, that is between you and your bank, not Jackson Hewitt or the partner bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I choose which bank my refund goes to?
No. The bank is determined by which product you choose—Refund Advance Loan or Refund Transfer. You pick the product, and the bank is set. If you want your refund to go to a different bank, you would need to file with a different tax preparation company that uses different banking partners.
Does Republic Bank or Pathward Bank charge me to open an account?
No. Both banks create temporary accounts just to hold your refund. You do not open a personal account with either bank, and you are not charged for the temporary account. All fees come from Jackson Hewitt's pricing, not the banks.
What if I want to change from a Refund Advance Loan to a Refund Transfer after I file?
You cannot change products after you file. The choice is made at the time you complete your tax return with Jackson Hewitt. If you want to switch, you would need to file an amended return or file again with a different tax preparer, which defeats the purpose. Make your choice carefully before you finalize your filing.
Will the IRS send my refund to Republic Bank or Pathward Bank if I file electronically?
Yes. When you choose either Jackson Hewitt product, you authorize the IRS to send your refund to the partner bank instead of your personal bank account. This is part of the refund advance or transfer agreement. Your personal bank account is only used if you decline both products and choose standard direct deposit instead.
How long does it take for Pathward Bank to send my refund to my bank account?
Usually one business day after Pathward receives it from the IRS. The longer wait is for the IRS to process and send the refund to Pathward, which takes three to five business days after acceptance. Once Pathward has the money, the transfer to you is fast.