How an Early Tax Refund Advance can help as an emergency loan in 2024 and 2025

Key takeaways:

• The Early Tax Refund Advance loan provides a tax refund advance before filing, helping cover unexpected expenses during the holidays.
• Starting December 16, 2024, you can apply for up to $1,500 with same-day access on a prepaid card if approved.
• The loan amounts range from $100 to $1,500.
• You can apply for a tax refund advance loan using your paystub, and if approved, receive funds fast.
• There's no upfront cost to apply, and the loan is repaid automatically from your tax refund.
• Jackson Hewitt offers tax refund advances at more than 5,200 locations, including more than 2,500 Walmart stores.
• Applying won’t affect your credit score, even if you have a poor credit history, unlike other early refund advance loans.
• You’ll need your most recent paystub(s), and a ID to estimate your refund and apply for the loan.

Early Tax Refund Advance loans: Tax refund advance emergency loans 2024

We know that the holidays and end-of-year festivities can be a weight on your shoulders and hard on your wallet if unexpected costs pop up at the least-convenient time. That’s why we offer an Early Tax Refund Advance loan. It's an advance based on your tax refund when you need it--and before you file. With our Money Today Guarantee,² if approved, you’ll get that money that same day on a prepaid card, offered by Jackson Hewitt. You could receive up to $1,500 advance based on your tax refund starting in December, with no credit impact.

What is a tax refund advance loan?

Before we get into the specifics, let's go over the fundamentals of tax refund advance loans. A tax advance loan is a loan that is repaid with your tax refund. These loans typically give you an opportunity to get money when you file your taxes—but before you get your tax refund.

In the case of Early Tax Refund Advance loans, using your paystub(s), we can help you get money as early as December 16 on a prepaid card if you’re approved, so you can have money for the holidays.

When can I get an Early Tax Refund Advance Loan in 2024?

Starting December 16, 2024, until January 12, 2025, you can get an Early Tax Refund Advance loan of up to $1,500. In fact, we have a Money Today Guarantee.² If you’re approved for the loan, we guarantee you’ll get money the same day on a prepaid card offered by Jackson Hewitt. Otherwise, we’ll give you $50.²

Early Tax Refund Advance loan amount

Can I get an advance on my tax refund now?

You could get an advance based on your tax refund starting on December 16, 2024, with an Early Tax Refund Advance loan from Jackson Hewitt.

Does Jackson Hewitt offer a tax refund cash advance emergency loan?

Jackson Hewitt offers the Early Tax Refund Advance loan, giving you access to emergency funds ahead of the holidays if approved that will be paid back when the IRS sends your refund. It’s easy to apply. A Jackson Hewitt Tax Pro will take your most recent paystub(s), estimate the size of your tax refund, and help you apply for an Early Tax Refund Advance loan.¹ If approved, you can get money fast.

To get money the same day you’re approved for a Jackson Hewitt refund advance loan, you can choose to have the money deposited on a prepaid card. You can also choose a direct deposit if you don’t need the money fast.

How do I apply for my Early Tax Refund Advance loan?

Schedule an appointment with a Tax Pro as early as December 16. Make your appointment early. They go quickly, and we want to be able to find the best time for you to come to one of our more than 5,200 local offices across the country.

When you come in, make sure you bring your most recent paystub(s). Your Jackson Hewitt Tax Pro will do much of your tax return to estimate the size of your tax refund and help you apply for an Early Tax Refund Advance loan. If approved, you can get money fast—typically in minutes. That means you could receive the Early Tax Refund Advance loan before your W-2s, or other tax documents, arrive in January.

Do I have to pay anything upfront?

No, it costs nothing to apply. To make it easy to repay your loan, we arrange to have your refund loan amount, finance charge, and other fees come right out of your tax refund when the IRS sends it.

How much money can I get from the tax refund advance loan in December?

You can apply for $100-$1,500, from December 16, 2024, to January 12, 2025, for the Early Tax Refund Advance loan (Finance Charge applies).1 When you apply for the Early Tax Refund Advance loan, you’ll also start an application for a No Fee Tax Refund Advance loan.

In addition to the money you get from an Early Tax Refund Advance loan, you could get a No Fee Tax Refund Advance loan³ of up to $3,500 between January 2, 2025, and February 16, 2025, when you come back to file your taxes. You won’t even pay a Finance Charge for a No Fee Refund Advance loan. No fee, no interest.

How do I find a participating location that is offering Tax Refund Advance loans and book an appointment?

The good news is you can get your advance at any of thousands of locations across the U.S., including in many Walmart stores. You can find your nearest open location here. Book your appointment online or call a local office directly. And do it quickly, because appointments go fast. 

Can I get a tax refund advance loan at a Walmart location?

Yes, you can get a tax refund advance loan at any of our more than 2,500 Walmart locations. Apply for an Early Tax Refund Advance loan with a Tax Pro in Walmart as early as December 16, 2024. Plus, come back to finish filing with a Tax Pro in Walmart and get a No Fee Tax Refund Advance Loan starting on January 2, 2025.  

How much does an Early Tax Refund Advance loan cost?

It’s important to note that there is a Finance Charge, however, it costs nothing to apply. Unlike some tax companies that offer money this early, there's no application fee. Please look at the chart above for more information. 

How long will it take to get my tax refund advance loan?

We offer a Money Today Guarantee for people who are approved for a tax refund advance loan and take the money on a prepaid card. We believe you shouldn’t wait weeks for the money you need today for you and your family. So, upon approval, we guarantee that you’ll get your money on the same day if you choose to get it on a prepaid card.² If you choose to get your money via direct deposit, you can expect to get it in one to five days.

Will applying for a tax refund advance loan impact my credit score?

No, applying for and receiving a tax refund advance loan won’t impact your credit score.

In fact, you can get approved for an Early Tax Refund Advance loan at Jackson Hewitt even if you don’t have a good credit history, or if you’ve been denied credit in the past. 

What documents are needed for an Early Tax Refund Advance loan?

You don't have to bring all the documents necessary to file your tax return to apply. We would like you to provide your most recent pay stub(s), proof of other income, and a license or government-issued ID of all individuals on the return. This will allow our Tax Pros to estimate how much your tax return may be this year. Then, once you get your W-2s and other tax documents, just come back to file your taxes, and you could get another tax refund advance loan.³

We know that the holidays are a time of incredible joy, but it can also be hard when you aren’t able to buy all the gifts you’d like for your children or family. We’ve all been there. We’re here for you, year-round and during the holiday season. Find a local Tax Pro, who can help talk through your situation and what is best for you.

Product Disclosures

 Early Tax Refund Advance is available to individuals who apply for a No Fee Tax Refund Advance (NFTRA). NFTRA application requires filing your taxes with Jackson Hewitt beginning January 2, 2025.

¹ The Early Tax Refund Advance (ETRA) is a loan secured by, and paid back with, your tax refund and is offered by Republic Bank & Trust Company, to eligible taxpayers that apply for a No Fee Tax Refund Advance from 12/12/24 to 1/12/25. ETRA loan amounts are determined by your expected Federal refund, less authorized fees and underwriting. If approved for an ETRA, a Finance Charge will apply. Loan amounts available are $100, $300, $500, $1,000, and $1,500. To be eligible for the $1,500 ETRA, your expected Federal refund, less authorized fees, must be at least $4,600, and most approved applicants get $300. ETRA is subject to underwriting and approval. Loan proceeds are typically available within the same day of approval, if disbursed on a prepaid card offered at Jackson Hewitt offices, or in 1-5 business days with direct deposit. Terms and restrictions apply. Ask a Tax Pro for more info about the cost and timing of all filing and product options. Jackson Hewitt is a Rhode Island Licensed Loan Broker and holds other relevant licenses for the locations where this product is offered. Finance Charges are not applicable in CT and NE.

² The Money Today Guarantee is only available to clients who (i) are approved for a Tax Refund Advance loan; (ii) elect and are eligible to receive loan funds on a prepaid card offered at Jackson Hewitt offices. Loan application must be submitted by 11pm local time. If funds are not credited to your card before 12am local time, Jackson Hewitt will credit $50 within 2 weeks to your card if available or provide you a $50 eGift card. Fees, terms, and conditions apply to the prepaid card. More details at JacksonHewitt.com.

³ The No Fee Tax Refund Advance (NFTRA) is a loan secured by, and paid back with, your tax refund and is offered by Republic Bank & Trust Company, to eligible taxpayers. NFTRA Loan amounts are determined by your expected Federal refund, less authorized fees and underwriting. Requires filing your taxes with Jackson Hewitt. Available 1/2/25 through 2/16/25. Loan amounts available are $250, $500, $750, $1000, $1,500, $2,500, $3,000, and $3,500. To be eligible for the $3,500 NFRA, your expected Federal refund less authorized fees must be at least $3600, and most approved applicants get $500. No loan fee applies. Loan proceeds available within the same day of approval, if disbursed on a prepaid card offered at Jackson Hewitt offices, or in 1-5 business days with direct deposit. Terms and restrictions apply. Ask a Tax Pro for more info about the cost and timing of all filing and product options.

About the Author

Mark Steber is Senior Vice President and Chief Tax Information Officer for Jackson Hewitt. With over 30 years of experience, he oversees tax service delivery, quality assurance and tax law adherence. Mark is Jackson Hewitt’s national spokesperson and liaison to the Internal Revenue Service and other government authorities. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), holds registrations in Alabama and Georgia, and is an expert on consumer income taxes including electronic tax and tax data protection.

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