Key Takeaways
Using Refund Advance through TurboTax allows eligible filers to access a refund advance loan for up to $4,000†, with no loan fees or credit impact — and funds may arrive in as little as 30 seconds after IRS acceptance.* The IRS starts accepting returns in late January.
Double-checking your return with the TurboTax Tax Preparation Checklist helps avoid mistakes that slow down your refund.
Access a refund advance of up to $4,000 with this strategy.
Waiting for your income tax refund in this economy? No, thanks.
Whether you’re planning to use your refund to fund your dream vacation, pay down debt, or get ahead on your expenses, the sooner the cash hits your bank account, the better. And it’s easier than you think to speed up the refund process.
Try these tips to avoid delays in getting your refund — and learn how to access a refund advance loan in as little as 30 seconds after the IRS accepts your return.
Pro tip: The IRS starts accepting returns in late January. If you file your return outside of this acceptance period, you’ll need to wait until they accept your return to get an advance on your refund.
The prep: Tax filing tips for a speedy refund
Accessing your refund ASAP starts with a smart tax filing strategy. That’s because there’s a delay between when the IRS receives your tax return and when they distribute your refund. And you can take steps to make that delay as short as possible.
File early and online
Even if you’re a natural procrastinator, getting a jump-start on your tax return can help you minimize delays in getting your refund. Filing early in the tax season — before most people do their taxes — helps you get in ahead of the usual backlog, helping the IRS process your return sooner.
And, if you’re considering filing your return the old-fashioned way, using a paper return, think again. It increases the processing time to six weeks, compared to two weeks with e-file.
Set up direct deposit
You can also avoid delays by setting up direct deposit to receive your refund electronically. You’ll receive payment within a few days of it being sent, depending on your financial institution, rather than waiting for your check in the mail or for the funds to clear.
Double-check your return
Any errors in your return can extend its processing time — and the time it takes to get your refund — so make sure you’re filing accurate returns to avoid delays.
Don’t worry: We’re here to help you get your return right the first time. Learn how to avoid errors in your tax return.
The power move: Use Refund Advance through TurboTax to get up to $4,000
The tips above can help you access your return faster. But Refund Advance through TurboTax can help you get an advance loan for half the amount of your refund quickly — in as little as 30 seconds after the IRS accepts your return.
Refund Advance is a loan issued by WebBank and available to TurboTax users, with $0 loan fees, 0% APR, and no impact to your credit score. Depending on your eligibility and the size of your refund, it allows you to access a loan of $250 – $4,000 instantly after the IRS accepts your return starting in late January.
Eligible customers may receive funds in as little as 30 seconds after IRS acceptance (starting in late January), and about 80% receive them in under five minutes .
How does Refund Advance work?
It’s easy: Just select Refund Advance as your refund option before you e-file with the IRS and complete the application. If your Federal tax refund is at least $500 and you meet other eligibility requirements, you’ll get your advance quickly.
Funds are deposited into your Credit Karma Money™ checking account¹. Once they’re available, you can access them immediately with your virtual Credit Karma Visa® Debit Card², and begin using your physical card once it arrives. Your account also comes with benefits like no monthly maintenance fees, and access to your paycheck up to 2 days early³, so you can manage your money with flexibility. Learn more.
Once your tax refund comes in, we’ll deduct the advance and distribute the rest. For example, if you have a $4,000 refund, and access a $2,000 loan through Refund Advance, you’ll receive the final $2,000 when the IRS distributes your payment.
Want to estimate how much you could get back? Try the TurboTax Refund Calculator to project your potential refund and plan ahead.
Ready for your refund advance—available as soon as IRS acceptance begins in late January? Start this year’s tax return with TurboTax today.
†Loan details and disclosures for the TurboTax Refund Advance program:
If you expect to receive a federal refund of $500 or more, you could be eligible for a TurboTax Refund Advance loan. TurboTax Refund Advance loans are issued by WebBank, which is not affiliated with MVB Bank, Inc., Member FDIC. TurboTax Refund Advance is a loan based upon your anticipated refund and is not the refund itself. 0% APR and $0 loan fees. Availability of the TurboTax Refund Advance is subject to satisfaction of identity verification, certain security requirements, eligibility criteria, and underwriting standards. This TurboTax Refund Advance offer expires on April 15, 2026, or the date that available funds have been exhausted, whichever comes first. Offer, eligibility, and availability subject to change without further notice.
TurboTax Refund Advance loans issued by WebBank are facilitated by Intuit Financing Inc. (NMLS # 1136148), a subsidiary of Intuit Inc. Although there are no loan fees associated with the TurboTax Refund Advance loan, separate fees may apply if you choose to pay for TurboTax with your federal refund. Paying with your federal refund is not required for the TurboTax Refund Advance loan. Additional fees may apply for other products and services that you choose.
You will not be eligible for the loan if: (1) your physical address is not included on your federal tax return, (2) your physical address is located outside of the United States or a US territory, is a PO box or is a prison address, (3) your physical address is in one of the following states: IL, CT, or NC, (4) you are less than 18 years old, (5) the tax return filed is on behalf of a deceased person, (6) you are filing certain IRS Forms (1310, 4852, 4684, 4868, 1040SS, 1040PR, 1040X, 8888, or 8862), (7) your expected refund amount is less than $500, or (8) you did not receive Forms W-2 or 1099-R or you are not reporting income on Sched C. Additional requirements: You must (a) e-file your federal tax return with TurboTax and (b) currently have or open a Credit Karma Money™ Spend (checking) account with MVB Bank, Inc., Member FDIC. Maximum balance and transfer limits apply. Opening a Credit Karma Money™ Spend (checking) account is subject to eligibility. Please see Credit Karma Money Spend Account Terms and Disclosures for details.
Not all consumers will qualify for a loan or for the maximum loan amount. If approved, your loan will be for one of ten amounts: $250, $500, $750, $1,000, $1,500, $2,000, $2,500, $3,000, $3,500, or $4,000. Your loan amount will be based on your anticipated federal refund up to a maximum of 50% of that refund amount. TurboTax Expert Full Service customers may be eligible for a loan, issued by WebBank, in an amount that is based on the full amount of their anticipated federal refund with a maximum loan amount of $10,000, and such loans are available in amounts that are multiples of $250. Full Refund Amount calculation based upon the estimated amount of your refund less any fees associated with additional refund products. You will not receive a final decision of whether you are approved for the loan until after the IRS accepts your e-filed federal tax return. Loan repayment is deducted from your federal tax refund and reduces the subsequent refund amount paid directly to you.
If approved, your TurboTax Refund Advance will be deposited into your Credit Karma Money™ Spend (checking) account shortly after the IRS accepts your e-filed federal tax return, and you may access your funds online through a virtual card. Your physical Credit Karma Visa Debit Card should arrive in 7 – 14 days. The Credit Karma Visa Debit Card is issued by MVB Bank, Inc., Member FDIC pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc.; Visa terms and conditions apply. Other fees may apply. For more information, please visit: https://support.creditkarma.com/s/article/Are-there-fees-with-a-Credit-Karma-Money-Spend-account.
If you are approved for a loan, your tax refund after deducting the amount of your loan and agreed-upon fees (if applicable) will be placed in your Credit Karma Money™ Spend (checking) account. Tax refund funds are disbursed by the IRS, typically within 21 days of e-file acceptance. If you apply for a loan and are not approved after the IRS accepts your e-filed federal tax return, your tax refund minus any agreed-upon fees (if applicable) will be placed in your Credit Karma Money™ Spend (checking) account.
If your tax refund amounts are insufficient to pay what you owe on your loan, you will not be required to repay any remaining balance. However, you may be contacted to remind you of the remaining balance and provide payment instructions to you if you choose to repay that balance. If your loan is not paid in full, you will not be eligible to receive a TurboTax Refund Advance loan in the future.
*Acceptance times vary. Most customers receive funds within 5 minutes of acceptance. TurboTax loans issued by WebBank.
¹ Credit Karma Visa® Debit Card issued by MVB Bank, Inc., Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. Visa terms and conditions apply.
² For Credit Karma Money (checking) account: Credit Karma is not a bank. Banking services provided by MVB Bank, Inc., Member FDIC. Maximum balance and transfer limits apply.
³ Early access to paycheck is compared to standard payroll electronic deposit and is dependent on and subject to payor submitting payroll information to the bank before release date. Payor may not submit paycheck early.
