A Refund Advance loan could help with tax refund delays

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 the Earned 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 a Refund Advance loan^{Disclaimer 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.

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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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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.

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 H&R Block Emerald Prepaid Mastercard®^{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, or PATH 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 about Refund Advance and 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.