TurboTax is not offering a refund advance product for the 2025 tax year

TurboTax discontinued its refund advance loan product after the 2023 tax season. The company no longer partners with lenders to provide loans against your expected refund. If you are looking for a way to get money before the IRS processes your return, you will need to explore other options outside of TurboTax.

This change affects all TurboTax users regardless of which version they use — Free, Deluxe, Premier, or Self-Employed. The product simply is not available through TurboTax in 2025.

Key Takeaways

  • TurboTax stopped offering refund advance loans after the 2023 tax season and does not have this product for 2025.
  • Other tax software companies and independent lenders still offer refund advance loans, though terms and fees vary widely.
  • A refund advance is a short-term loan, not assistance programs — you pay interest and fees that reduce what you ultimately receive.
  • The IRS typically processes refunds within 21 days if you file electronically and choose direct deposit, making an advance unnecessary for many filers.
  • State tax refunds and federal refunds are separate — you may be able to get an advance on one but not the other.

Why TurboTax ended its refund advance program

TurboTax's parent company, Intuit, made the decision to discontinue the refund advance loan offering. The company did not publicly detail the exact reasoning, but the product had become less common across the tax software industry as a whole. Refund advances carry regulatory scrutiny because they function as loans with interest and fees, and the IRS has increased oversight of how tax software companies market financial products to filers.

The discontinuation means TurboTax users no longer have access to this product through the platform, even if they used it in previous years. If you received a refund advance in 2024 or earlier, that does not mean you can get one in 2025.

How fast the IRS actually processes refunds in 2025

The IRS publishes a standard timeline: 21 days for refunds when you file electronically and choose direct deposit to your bank account. This is the fastest method available. In practice, many refunds arrive within 5 to 10 business days, though some take the full 21 days or slightly longer depending on IRS processing volume and whether your return requires manual review.

If you file by mail or request a check, the timeline is much longer — typically 4 to 6 weeks or more. Direct deposit is the fastest and most reliable method. You can track your refund status using the IRS Where's My Refund tool on IRS.gov, which updates once per day and shows you the exact stage of processing.

For state refunds, the timeline varies by state. Some states process refunds in 2 to 3 weeks, while others take 4 to 8 weeks. Check your state tax agency's website for their specific timeline.

Other companies still offering refund advance loans

Several tax software platforms and independent lenders still offer refund advance products, though availability and terms change year to year. H&R Block, for example, has offered refund advances in some years. Credit unions and some banks also offer tax refund anticipation loans, though these are less common than they were a decade ago.

If you pursue a refund advance from any lender, understand that you are taking out a loan. You will pay interest and fees, which means the amount you receive is less than your actual refund. A typical refund advance might charge $50 to $150 in fees plus interest, depending on the loan amount and how quickly you repay it. The lender fronts the money, and when your refund arrives, it goes to the lender first to cover the loan and fees.

Before using a refund advance, calculate whether the fees are worth the benefit of getting money a few weeks earlier. If your refund is $1,500 and the advance costs $100 in fees, you are paying roughly 6.7 percent for a three-week loan — which is expensive compared to other short-term borrowing options.

Alternatives if you need money before your refund arrives

If waiting 21 days is not realistic for your situation, consider these options instead of a refund advance loan:

  • Personal loan from a bank or credit union: These typically have lower interest rates than refund advances and do not depend on your tax refund arriving. You repay them on a regular schedule regardless of when the IRS processes your return.
  • Credit card cash advance: If you have available credit, a cash advance is often cheaper than a refund advance loan, though still expensive compared to other borrowing.
  • Paycheck advance from your employer: Some employers offer paycheck advances or early pay options. Ask your HR department whether this is available to you.
  • Payday loan: These are high-cost loans and should be a last resort, but they are faster to obtain than most other options.
  • File your return earlier: The sooner you file, the sooner the IRS begins processing. Filing in early February rather than mid-April gives you a head start.

How to file with TurboTax and get your refund as quickly as possible

To maximize your refund speed with TurboTax, follow these steps: complete your return as soon as you have all necessary documents (W-2s, 1099s, receipts for deductions), choose electronic filing rather than paper, and select direct deposit to your bank account rather than a check.

When you reach the payment screen in TurboTax, you will see options for how to pay the tax software fee. You can pay from your bank account, credit card, or have the fee deducted from your refund. Choosing to pay upfront does not speed up your refund — the IRS processes all returns on the same timeline regardless of when you paid TurboTax's fee.

After you file, TurboTax will give you a confirmation number. Save this. You can use it to track your return status on IRS.gov using the Where's My Refund tool, which is the official source for refund timing.

State refunds and federal refunds are separate

Your federal tax refund and your state tax refund are processed by different agencies on different timelines. You might receive your federal refund in 10 days but wait 6 weeks for your state refund, or vice versa. Some states are faster than others.

If you are owed both a federal and state refund, you will need to track them separately. The IRS Where's My Refund tool covers only your federal refund. For your state refund, visit your state tax agency's website and look for their refund tracking tool. Most states have one, though the name and location on the website varies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a refund advance through TurboTax in 2025?

No. TurboTax discontinued its refund advance product after the 2023 tax season and does not offer it for 2025. You will need to look elsewhere if you want a refund advance loan.

How long does the IRS actually take to send refunds?

The IRS says 21 days for electronic filing with direct deposit. Many refunds arrive faster — within 5 to 10 business days — but some take the full 21 days or slightly longer. Mailed checks take 4 to 6 weeks or more. You can check your exact status on IRS.gov using Where's My Refund.

Is a refund advance loan worth it?

Usually not. Refund advances charge $50 to $150 or more in fees for borrowing money for a few weeks. Since the IRS typically processes refunds in under three weeks anyway, you are paying a significant fee to speed up something that is already fast. A personal loan or credit card cash advance often costs less.

What if I need money before my refund arrives?

Consider a personal loan from your bank or credit union, a paycheck advance from your employer, or a credit card cash advance. These often have lower costs than refund advance loans. Filing your return as early as possible also shortens the wait.

Will paying TurboTax's fee upfront make my refund arrive faster?

No. The IRS processes all returns on the same timeline regardless of when you paid TurboTax's software fee. Paying upfront or having the fee deducted from your refund does not change how quickly you receive your money.