Refund advance? Read this first.
Lots of people search for a refund advance near them. Here's what one actually is, what a refund transfer is, why we don't sell either, and the free way to get your refund as fast as the IRS allows.
1 Where we stand
We don't sell refund advances, refund loans or refund transfers.
You pay when you sign: card, cash or check. We never take our fee out of your refund, and we don't sell refund loans or refund transfers.
Your refund goes from the IRS and from Wisconsin straight into your own bank account, in full.
If money is tight while you wait
- aTell us early. We'll book you as soon as your W-2s arrive so your return goes in early in the season.
- bGet the bank details right. We read your routing and account numbers back to you before we file.
- cTrack it yourself. Use the IRS Where's My Refund? tool and the Wisconsin Department of Revenue's refund status page.
- dLook at next year. If you get a big refund every spring, we can help you adjust your W-4 so more of that money is in your paychecks during the year.
Side by side, in plain words
General information about how these products usually work. Terms differ between offices and banks, so always read the actual offer.
-
Offered by some tax offices
Refund advance
- What it is
- A loan from a partner bank, based on the refund you expect. The bank is paid back out of your refund.
- What it can cost
- Some are advertised with no fee or interest to you; others carry fees or interest. Many are tied to paying for tax prep at that office.
- When you get money
- Often within days of filing, if you're approved.
- Check before you sign
- Approval rules, the full prep fee, and what happens if your refund is smaller or late.
-
Offered by some tax offices
Refund transfer
- What it is
- A temporary bank account that receives your refund so the office can take its fee out first, then pass on the rest.
- What it can cost
- Usually its own fee, on top of the tax prep fee.
- When you get money
- No faster than a normal refund. It's a way to pay later, not a way to get paid sooner.
- Check before you sign
- The transfer fee, any extra bank fees, and the total you're paying for prep.
-
What we do, for every client
E-file + direct deposit
- What it is
- Your return is e-filed and the refund goes from the IRS and Wisconsin straight to your own bank account.
- What it can cost
- Nothing extra. You pay our posted prep fee when you sign.
- When you get money
- The IRS says most e-filed returns with direct deposit are refunded in under three weeks. Some take longer.
- Check before you sign
- That your bank routing and account numbers are right. We read them back to you.
The usual path of an e-filed refund
-
1 Day 0
We e-file
Federal and Wisconsin returns go in the same day you sign.
-
2 About 1 to 2 days
Accepted
The IRS and the state confirm they received it. We text you.
-
3 Under 3 weeks for most
Refund issued
The IRS's own estimate for most e-filed returns with direct deposit. Some take longer.
-
4 Mid-February at the earliest
EITC and child credit refunds
By law, these refunds wait until mid-February, even if you file in January.
We can't promise a refund amount or a date. Your refund depends on your income, withholding and the credits you qualify for. General information, not tax advice. Your situation decides what applies to you; a preparer will go over it with you.
What slows a refund down
-
Wrong bank numbers
One wrong digit can send a refund back to the IRS, which then mails a paper check.
-
Credits held by law
Refunds that include the EITC or the additional child tax credit can't be released before mid-February.
-
Identity checks
Some people get a letter (often Letter 5071C) asking them to verify who they are before the refund is released.
-
Errors and mismatches
A math error or a missing form can send a return for a manual review.
-
Old debts
Past-due child support, some federal debts or state tax debts can be taken out of a refund before it reaches you.
-
Paper returns
Mailed returns take much longer to process than e-filed ones.
Refund questions
More refund answers →Is a no-fee refund advance really free?
Some are advertised with no fee or interest charged to you, because the office or bank covers the cost. They're still loans, with approval rules, and they're often tied to paying for tax prep at that office. Compare the total prep fee, read the terms, and know what happens if your refund comes in smaller or late.
Why don't you offer refund advances?
Because we want one simple deal: a posted fee, paid when you sign, and your whole refund going straight to you. Selling loans would mean partnering with a bank and adding rules and paperwork we'd rather not put between you and your money.
Can you make my refund come faster?
No one can speed up the IRS. What we can do is file as soon as your forms are in, make sure the return is correct, and double-check your bank details. Those are the things that keep a refund from getting stuck.
Can I pay your fee later, out of my refund?
No. We don't take fees out of refunds. If paying at signing is hard, tell us before your appointment and we'll talk about it.
Your refund, straight to you.
Book as soon as your forms arrive. Correct return, right bank details, posted fee paid at signing, and your whole refund goes to you.