Tax Refund Loan: How to Tap Your Refund Early

Tax refund loans provide fast cash while you wait for the rest of your refund.

Tax Refund Loans Give Cash Now to Early Filers

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Updated Nov 21, 2025 · 6 min read

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Editor’s note: Full details about tax refund loans for the upcoming tax season were not available from all of the tax preparation companies mentioned in this article. NerdWallet will update this page as more information becomes available.

A tax refund can be a nice influx of cash at the beginning of the year. But if you can’t wait until the IRS sends your refund, some tax preparation services offer tax refund loans.

These loans, also called "refund advance loans" or “refund anticipation loans,” let you access your refund early.

» MORE: Tax calculator: Estimate your refund

What are tax refund loans and how do they work?

Tax refund loans are short-term loans of up to a few thousand dollars that you typically repay with your upcoming IRS tax refund. They’re often available annually during tax-filing season, from about January through April.

Some tax prep services also offer early refund advances before filing starts, in November or December. At that point, the tax prep company may estimate the refund you’ll get and base a loan amount on that figure.

For example, let’s say you use a tax preparation company to file your tax return in late January, and you’re expecting a $4,000 refund. The IRS will send your refund in a few weeks, but you may have some urgent expenses and need the money sooner.

Your tax prep company might offer a tax refund loan — letting you walk out of its office with $2,000 in a prepaid debit card the day you file your taxes. When the IRS sends your refund, the tax prep company will deduct that $2,000, plus any fees or interest, and you’re left with the balance.

If you need an advance on your refund before you even file your tax return, you may consider an early tax refund loan. They are usually smaller amounts than you can get with a typical tax refund loan.

For example, if your tax prep company estimates you’ll be getting a $4,000 refund, you might be able to borrow $1,000 in December.

In any case, tax preparation companies partner with banks or other financial institutions to offer tax refund loans. Although borrowers submit the loan application with their tax preparer when they file their return, the bank is the lender making the loan.

How to qualify for and receive a tax refund loan

To be eligible for most tax refund loans, you must have your taxes prepared by the company offering the loan. The tax preparer may charge a tax preparation fee.

Tax refund loans usually don’t have credit score requirements like unsecured personal loans — though the lending bank may do a soft credit pull to check an applicant’s creditworthiness.

Instead, the lender tends to base qualification on the amount of your expected tax refund.

The tax prep company might only offer a loan if your expected refund meets a certain dollar amount. Additionally, the amount of your advance is usually just a portion of your expected refund.

If you’re approved for a tax refund loan, the lender typically sends the money quickly. Some lenders send funds within minutes of approval while others take a couple days.

The lender may deposit funds on a prepaid debit card or in a specific account designated by the tax preparer. Other lenders send the money to your personal bank account via direct deposit.

Repaying your tax refund loan

A tax refund loan is typically due in full once the IRS sends your tax refund. You’re usually not required to make regular payments before then.

The tax preparer automatically deducts the loan amount, plus any interest, from your refund when the IRS releases it.

🤓 Nerdy Tip

A tax refund loan is an option if you need money quickly, but you can save on fees if you're willing to wait until the IRS sends your tax refund. The IRS generally sends refunds from e-filed returns within three weeks. The processing time could take longer if the return was sent by mail or required corrections or extra review.

» MORE: Where’s my refund? Refund status tracker guide

Where to get tax refund loans

Jackson Hewitt, H&R Block and Intuit Turbo Tax are three national tax preparation companies that offer tax refund loans.

Jackson Hewitt

Jackson Hewitt offers two refund advances: the Early Tax Refund Advance loan and the Tax Refund Advance loan. The tax prep company partners with First Century Bank, which issues the loans.

Here’s what you need to know about Jackson Hewitt’s Early Tax Refund Advance:

Loan amounts	$300, $500, $1,000 or $1,500.
APR	35.99%.
Funding time	Same day if you choose to have the money loaded onto a prepaid debit card. One to five business days if you want the loan deposited into a bank account.
Requirements	Bring a recent pay stub and a government-issued ID to apply at a participating Jackson Hewitt location. Your expected federal tax refund must be at least $5,000 to qualify for the largest Early Tax Refund Advance loan. You must file your tax return with Jackson Hewitt.
Availability	Dec. 11, 2025 to Jan. 11, 2026.

Here’s what you need to know about Jackson Hewitt’s Tax Refund Advance:

Loan amounts	$500, $750, $1,000, $1,500, $2,500 or $3,500.
APR	35.99%.
Funding time	Same day if you choose to have the money loaded onto a prepaid debit card. One to five business days if you want the loan deposited into a bank account.
Requirements	Bring your W(2)s, other necessary tax documents and a government-issued ID to a participating Jackson Hewitt location. You must file your tax return with Jackson Hewitt. Your expected federal tax refund must be at least $5,000 to qualify for the largest Tax Refund Advance loan. If you also received Jackson Hewitt’s Early Tax Refund Advance, your expected tax refund needs to be at least $7,100.
Availability	Jan. 2, 2026 to April 15, 2026.

H&R Block

H&R Block also offers two advances: the Emerald Advance loan and the Refund Advance loan. The tax preparation company works with Pathward, which issues the loans.

The Emerald Advance loan differs from most tax refund loans, because you don’t have to file your taxes with H&R Block to receive the loan. Similar to a traditional personal loan, the lender reviews your creditworthiness to determine loan approval and the loan amount.

Here’s what you need to know about the Emerald Advance loan:

Loan amounts	$350 to $1,500.
APR	35.9%.
Requirements	Must be at least 18 years old. Must provide proof of identification and income. Must have a valid Social Security number, physical address and email address.
Availability	Nov. 3, 2025 to Dec. 31, 2025.

H&R Block’s Refund Advance loan will likely be available starting in January 2026. Full details about this loan offer were not available at the time of publication. NerdWallet will update this page when more information is shared.

» MORE: NerdWallet’s review of H&R Block’s tax software

Intuit TurboTax

Intuit TurboTax offers one tax refund loan: the Refund Advance loan. It is a zero-interest loan that’s typically available starting in January.

The Refund Advance loan allows TurboTax customers to access a portion of their tax return early. Loan amounts have previously ranged from $250 to $4,000.

At the time of publication, Intuit TurboTax has not released information about the Refund Advance loan for the upcoming tax season. NerdWallet will update this page when more details are available.

» MORE: NerdWallet’s review of TurboTax

How much does a tax refund loan cost?

Some tax refund loans are interest-free, while others have interest rates up to about 36%.

Even if the loan doesn’t come with interest, you may need to pay a tax preparation fee when you file your taxes. These fees vary depending on the tax preparer and the complexity of the return.

Let’s say you get a $500 tax refund loan against your refund that arrives a month later. If you pay an $89 tax prep fee to file your taxes, the fee is equivalent to an annual percentage rate of about 217%.

However, if you were going to pay for tax prep anyway, you might value the loan differently.

🤓 Nerdy Tip

Tax preparation companies aren’t the only places that offer tax refund loans. You may also find these types of loans advertised by payday lenders or cash checking companies that may charge high rates and fees. Read the fine print and make sure you understand the cost of borrowing before signing any loan agreement.

» MORE: Explore alternatives to payday loans

Pros and cons of tax refund loans

Pros

You may get a loan without a hard credit check.

Funding is typically fast.

Cons

You may have to pay a tax filing fee.

You may be required to open an account or debit card of the tax preparer’s choosing.

The loan may be subtracted from your IRS tax refund.

Tax refund loan alternatives

If you need cash before your tax refund arrives, you may have cheaper options than a tax refund loan. Here are a few options:

Cash advance apps

Cash advance apps provide a low- or no-fee advance on your paycheck. You can typically borrow up to a few hundred dollars. The app withdraws the advance amount from your bank account on your next payday.

Cash advance apps may charge a subscription fee, an expedited funding fee or ask for an optional tip.

Payday alternative loans

Some federal credit unions offer payday alternative loans up to $2,000 to their members. These loans have a maximum APR of 28%. Repayment terms can be up to 12 months.

Small personal loans

Small personal loans offered by some online lenders start at $1,000 with next-day funding after approval. You generally have at least two years to repay the loan.

Rates typically range from about 7% to 36%. Borrowers with good or excellent credit (a score in the mid-600s or higher) tend to qualify for the lowest rates.

Here are some personal loan lenders that offer small loans and fast funding: