A Refund Advance loan could help with tax refund delays (2024)

Do you want access to money faster than the IRS can provide a tax refund? We get it – between inflation and other financial pressures, getting your tax refund is critical.

And, for some there are reasons why you may have a tax refund delay. For example, if you are one of the millions of taxpayers who claim credits such as theEarned Income Tax Credit(EITC), the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) must hold your entire tax refund until February 15.

Plus, some financial institutions may need even more time to accept your direct deposit! If you’re like many taxpayers, a tax refund delay could put you in a financial pinch.

What if there was a way to get money faster? H&R Block has tools that could help. With aRefund AdvanceloanDisclaimer number109. Scroll to bottom of page.available at H&R Block, if approved, you could get money within minutes of filing your tax return.

Interested in hearing more about tax refund loans? Check out the questions and answers below to find out more about how a Refund Advance loan could help if you have a tax refund delay.

Read on to learn more.

It’s Better with Block

File at H&R Block and you could get a Refund Advance loan up to $3,500 today.Disclaimer number109. Scroll to bottom of page.

Find a participating office near you to make an appointment and apply.

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A Refund Advance loan could help with tax refund delays (1)

What is a tax refund advance loan?

If you are filing with H&R Block and are expecting a refund, you may be eligible to apply for a Refund Advance loan. The Refund Advance at H&R Block is a no interest loan of up to $3,500 that is repaid from your tax refund. That’s money you could receive the same day you file to pay bills or unexpected expenses.

How much does it cost to apply?

Applications for Refund Advance are submitted to the lender at the end of your H&R Block tax prep. There’s no additional fee to apply. What’s more, if your application is approved, the Refund Advance loan has a 0% APR with no loan fees or finance charges.

How do I apply for a tax refund advance loan?

To apply for a Refund Advance, you must file your taxes using H&R Block and pass the lender’s eligibility criteria (including a sufficient expected tax refund from the IRS, e-filing your return in a participating H&R Block office and providing certain consents and valid ID). If you apply, Pathward®, N.A., the lender for Refund Advance, will apply its standard underwriting criteria in order to approve or deny your application. Upon decisioning, you’ll be notified by text or email.

Note: While the bank may access your credit report, applying for Refund Advance will not impact your credit score.

I like that with Refund Advance we are able to get some money now instead of waiting for the IRS.

— Brittany B.

How much money could I get with a Refund Advance?

If approved, the refund loan is offered in the following amounts:

  • $250
  • $500
  • $750
  • $1,250
  • $3,500

The bank will determine whether your application is approved and, if so, the loan amount.

If I’m approved, how do I access the funds?

If your application is approved, the refund anticipation loan proceeds are loaded onto your own®Disclaimer number110. Scroll to bottom of page.or deposited in your Spruce account, whichever you direct.

Why are there tax refund delays for some taxpayers?

The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes, orPATH Act, is a federal law that includes provisions to combat tax fraud, which is good news.

The bad news? This law requires the IRS to hold the entire refund of early tax filers with certain refundable credits, (specifically the EITC mentioned above and the Additional Child Tax Credit), until at least February 15 of each filing year.

For approved borrowers, Refund Advance offers potential relief from this tax refund delay.

When can I apply for a 2023 tax Refund Advance loan at H&R Block?

Upon completion of tax preparation at H&R Block, you can apply for the Refund Advance loan beginning Jan. 2 through Feb. 29, 2024.

Find more information aboutRefund Advanceand how to schedule a tax appointment in a participating H&R Block office.

Spruce fintech platform is built by H&R Block, which is not a bank. Spruce℠ Spending and Savings Accounts established at, and debit card issued by, Pathward®, N.A., Member FDIC, pursuant to license by Mastercard®. Mastercard and the circles design are registered trademarks of Mastercard International Incorporated.

A Refund Advance loan could help with tax refund delays (2024)

FAQs

A Refund Advance loan could help with tax refund delays? ›

A tax refund advance is a low-cost way to get a portion of your federal tax refund money fast. You'll pay 0% interest and $0 in fees. As a caveat, though, always read the fine print to verify your loan costs and check for minor charges (such as prepaid card fees) that may apply.

What can I do about a delayed tax refund? ›

Contact the IRS and research your IRS account.

After you understand more about why the IRS delayed your tax refund, and how to respond to the IRS, do so right away to avoid further problems. Your H&R Block tax professional can also help you investigate the cause of a refund delay and communicate with the IRS for you.

Can I get a loan while waiting on my tax refund? ›

If you need cash while waiting for your income tax refund, some tax preparation services — like Jackson Hewitt, H&R Block and TurboTax — offer tax refund loans. Tax refund loans, also called "refund advances," let you access your refund early.

Why would I get denied for a refund advance loan? ›

Your Personal or Financial Circ*mstances Have Changed.

Due to a change in circ*mstances, your tax preparer may determine that your refund will be insufficient to issue you a loan from tax refund advance, even if you consistently receive the same amount every year.

Is anyone still doing refund advance? ›

The Refund Advance loan is available in participating H&R Block offices beginning Jan. 2, 2024 through Feb. 29, 2024. Not available for H&R Block Online or H&R Block Online's Tax Pro Review.

How long can the IRS delay your refund? ›

If the IRS is reviewing your return, it may have questions about your wages and withholding, or credits or expenses shown on your tax return. The review process could take anywhere from 45 to 180 days, depending on the number and types of issues the IRS is reviewing.

What's the longest a tax refund can take? ›

IRS tax refund timeline
Filing methodE-file/Direct depositPaper file/Check
Refund time1-3 weeks2 months

Who will give me a loan against my tax refund? ›

A RAL is a loan that allows a taxpayer to borrow against an anticipated income tax refund. These loans actually are made by banks but are often offered by tax preparers, and sometimes by CPAs, in conjunction with preparation of the tax return.

What loans are eligible for refund? ›

Who is eligible for a refund?
  • Direct Loans (defaulted and non defaulted)
  • Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program loans held by ED (defaulted and non defaulted)
  • Federal Perkins Loans held by ED (defaulted and non defaulted)
  • Defaulted FFEL Program loans not held by ED.
  • Defaulted HEAL loans.
Sep 20, 2022

What is a refund anticipation loan? ›

A tax refund anticipation loan (RAL) is a way for a taxpayer to receive their money even more quickly. These loans are provided by third-party companies, not by the U.S. Treasury or the IRS. As a result, they are subject to the interest rates and fees set by the lender.

What disqualifies you from a refund advance? ›

You owed the U.S. Government or your State. You had debt enforced by a State such as, but not limited to, child support obligations, past student loans, tax liens, and any other payments owed to a Federal or State agency. You did not pass the lender's final evaluation. Subject to review of third-party information.

Who gets approved for refund advance? ›

To be approved, you must apply and meet certain eligibility requirements, (such as ID verification and a sufficient expected tax refund amount), as well as meet the lender's underwriting requirements.

What disqualifies you from getting a tax advance? ›

You will not be eligible for the loan if: (1) your physical address is located outside of the United States, a US territory, a PO box or a prison address, (2) your physical address is in one of the following states: IL, CT, or NC, (3) you are less than 18 years old, (4) the tax return filed is on behalf of a deceased ...

Can you get refund advance with bad credit? ›

You might qualify for a tax refund advance loan even if you have poor or fair credit. Unlike other types of credit (like credit cards or personal loans), you won't have to worry about paying higher interest charges if you have less-than-perfect credit.

What is MetaBank refund advance? ›

*The Refund Advance is an optional tax-refund related loan provided by MetaBank (it is not the actual tax refund) at participating locations. The amount of the loan and applicable interest will be deducted from tax refunds and reduce the amount that is paid directly to the taxpayer.

How long does it take to get approved for refund advance? ›

If you are approved, your Refund Advance funds are typically available within 4 minutes of the IRS accepting your e-filed tax return. The IRS generally starts accepting returns in late January. Once approved, you'll receive an email when your Refund Advance funds are available to spend.

Why is it taking so long to get my tax refund? ›

Why is my refund taking so long? A refund will take longer if you file by mail or don't select direct deposit. In addition, if the return is more complex or corrections are needed, it may slow the process down.

Can I sue the IRS for late refund? ›

You can file a suit in a United States District Court or the United States Court of Federal Claims. However, you generally have only two years to file a refund suit from the date the IRS mails you a notice that denies your claim.

Why is my IRS refund taking so long? ›

Some tax returns take longer to process than others for many reasons, including when a return: Is sent by mail. Contains errors or is incomplete. Needs further review in general.

Why have I still not gotten my tax return? ›

An incomplete return, an inaccurate return, an amended return, tax fraud, claiming tax credits, owing certain debts for which the government can take part or all of your refund, and sending your refund to the wrong bank due to an incorrect routing number are all reasons that a tax refund can be delayed.

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