What a TurboTax Refund Advance Is

A TurboTax Refund Advance is a short-term loan offered by Pathward Bank (formerly MetaBank) that lets you borrow against your expected tax refund before the IRS sends it. You get the money in your bank account or on a prepaid card within one to three business days, then the loan is repaid directly from your refund when it arrives. The advance itself is interest-free, but there is a fee — currently $0 to $89 depending on which TurboTax product you use and how you receive the money.

This is not the same as a refund anticipation loan (RAL) from a tax preparer. TurboTax offers the advance as part of its filing software, and you control whether you take it. The IRS still processes your return on its normal timeline; the advance just gives you cash sooner.

Key Takeaways

  • TurboTax Refund Advance is a loan you repay from your refund, available through Pathward Bank, with fees ranging from $0 to $89 depending on your product tier.
  • Money arrives in one to three business days if you are approved, but approval depends on your refund amount, income, and credit history.
  • The IRS still processes your return normally; the advance does not speed up the refund itself, only gets you cash while you wait.
  • You can decline the advance at any point during filing and still file your return through TurboTax without taking the loan.
  • If your refund is smaller than expected or you owe taxes instead, you are responsible for repaying the advance from your own funds.

Who Can Get a TurboTax Refund Advance

Pathward Bank reviews your application based on your expected refund amount, income, and credit history. You do not need perfect credit, but the bank will pull a credit report. The advance is typically available to people filing federal returns with refunds of at least a few hundred dollars; very small refunds may not may have access to.

You must have a valid Social Security number, be at least 18 years old, and have a U.S. bank account or be willing to receive the money on a prepaid card. Non-citizens with an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) may not be may be able to access, though this varies. The bank will tell you during the application whether you are approved and for how much.

How Much the Advance Costs

The fee depends on which TurboTax product you chose and how you receive the money. TurboTax Free Edition offers a $0 fee if you accept the money on a prepaid card; if you want it in your bank account, the fee is $0 to $29. Deluxe and higher tiers charge $0 to $89 depending on delivery method. TurboTax Self-Employed may have different pricing.

The fee is deducted from the advance before you receive it. If you borrow $1,000 and the fee is $29, you get $971. When your refund arrives, Pathward repays itself the full $1,000 from the IRS, and you keep the rest of your refund. There are no interest charges on the advance itself.

The Timeline: When You Get the Money

If you are approved, the advance arrives in your account or on your prepaid card within one to three business days. This is much faster than waiting for the IRS, which typically takes 21 days from the time it receives your return, though it can take longer during peak season or if your return is flagged for review.

The advance is not the same as speeding up your refund. The IRS processes your return on its schedule. Pathward is lending you money based on what it expects the IRS to send. If there is a delay with the IRS, you still have the advance, but your refund takes longer to arrive and be used to repay the loan.

What Happens If Your Refund Is Smaller Than Expected

If the IRS adjusts your refund downward — because of an error, a missed deduction, or a change in your filing status — you still owe Pathward the full advance amount. The bank will attempt to recover the difference from your bank account. If you cannot cover it, the debt may be sent to collections.

If you owe taxes instead of receiving a refund, you are responsible for repaying the entire advance from your own funds. This is why it is important to review your return carefully before you file and take the advance. If you are unsure about your refund amount, you can file your return through TurboTax without taking the advance and see what the IRS says first.

How to Decline the Advance and Still File

During the filing process, TurboTax will offer you the Refund Advance option. You can skip it entirely and proceed with filing your return. Declining the advance does not affect your return or your refund; it simply means you wait for the IRS to send the money instead of borrowing against it.

If you have already taken the advance and want to cancel it, contact Pathward Bank directly. Depending on how far along the process is, you may be able to stop it before the money is sent. Once the money is in your account, you cannot undo the loan, but you can pay it back early if you want.

Tracking Your Advance and Refund Status

After you file, you can track your refund through the IRS Where's My Refund tool at irs.gov. This shows you the status of your actual return, not the advance. For the advance itself, Pathward will send you confirmation and updates via email or text, depending on what you provided during the application.

Keep your TurboTax filing confirmation and any loan documents from Pathward. If there is a problem — the money does not arrive, or the IRS refund is delayed — you will need these to contact Pathward or TurboTax support. Save the confirmation number from your filing as well.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Refund Advance speed up my actual refund from the IRS?

No. The advance is a loan against your expected refund; it does not change how fast the IRS processes your return. The IRS still takes 21 days or longer. The advance just gives you cash while you wait for the IRS to send the refund to Pathward, which then repays the loan.

What if I get denied for the advance?

Pathward will tell you during the application if you do not meet the criteria. You can still file your return through TurboTax and receive your refund normally from the IRS. Denial does not affect your return or your refund amount.

Can I pay back the advance early?

Yes. Contact Pathward Bank to arrange early repayment. You may save on fees if you repay before the loan term ends, though this depends on Pathward's terms. Check your loan agreement or contact them directly for details.

What if my bank account information changes after I take the advance?

Contact Pathward immediately with your new account details. If the advance is sent to an old account, you may face delays or overdraft fees. Pathward needs to know the correct account before the money is transferred.

Is the Refund Advance the same as a refund anticipation loan?

No. A refund anticipation loan (RAL) is offered by some tax preparers and works similarly, but the Refund Advance is TurboTax's own product through Pathward Bank. The terms, fees, and approval process may differ. If you file with TurboTax, you are offered the Refund Advance, not a RAL.