Tax Day Countdown: Get Your Refund Sooner With H&R Block or TurboTax
Written by
Adam Palasciano
Edited by
Zuri Anderson
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Taxes are a part of life, and everyone has to pay them. And, in case you didn’t notice, it’s already April — so Tax Day is like two weeks away!
When it comes time to file your taxes, whether you work part-time or full-time, you may owe money to the federal government as well as your state (depending on which state you live in). But, you may also be due money back.
According to IRS data, the average tax refund in 2024 was $3,050. If you received your refund last year, and it was similar to this amount, it could mean that you’re withholding too much money, meaning that you gave Uncle Sam a tax-free loan all year.
On the flip side, if you’re not withholding enough money, you could potentially owe a significant tax bill. To ensure that you’re paying the proper amount of taxes throughout the year, check with your human resources department to ensure your withholdings are correct. You should also look into any potential earned income tax credits, tax extension deadlines or any other potential IRS issues your forms could flag.
Regardless of your expected refund amount, it can be pretty inconvenient to have to wait awhile after you file to get your money back. Fortunately, there are two options to get your tax refund sooner, thanks to electronic filing with tax authorities H&R Block and TurboTax.
H&R Block Offered Their Refund Advance Loan
If you filed your 2024 tax return with H&R Block between Jan. 3 and Feb. 28, you were already privy to the Refund Advance loan, which allowed those who qualified for an advance loan of up to $4,000 with virtually no strings attached.
“This year, we’re thrilled to expand the Refund Advance loan offering, allowing filers to apply for a loan of up to $4,000 within minutes of filing without interest, loan fees or complications,” said Curtis Campbell, president of global consumer tax and chief product officer at H&R Block in a recent press release.
If you missed out, keep it in mind for next year.
Here were the key features:
- Receive Up to $4,000: A Refund Advance loan can be issued in one of five amounts: $250, $500, $750, $1,250, or $4,000.
- No interest and no loan fees
- Quick access to funds
- No credit impact and high approval rates
- Repayment with tax refund: An H&R Block tax professional will assist in setting up repayment from the tax refund, ensuring that the loan is automatically repaid once the refund is received.
If you have yet to file a tax return but are planning to use H&R Block by the tax deadline of April 15, 2025, you will still get your refund much faster than filing by mail or even through other tax platforms.
Intuit’s TurboTax Is Offering Customers Their Federal Tax Refund 5 Days Early
This year, Intuit’s TurboTax is offering the first and only fast refund guarantee that delivers federal tax refunds five days early, no matter the filer’s banking institution. The goal of this initiative is to help consumers get quicker access to their funds.
“We are proud to continue advancing our faster refund offerings … to arm our customers with the financial flexibility and security they deserve,” explained Mark Notarainni, executive vice president and general manager of Intuit’s Consumer Group, in a recent press release. “We are giving our customers unparalleled access to their hard-earned money at affordable prices … with greater ease and peace of mind.”
Those who file through TurboTax will simply need to pay a one-time $25 flat fee to have their federal tax refund deposited into a connected bank account five days early. In the event that the refund is not delivered early, customers will not be charged the fee.
Customers may file their 2024 tax return on their own using TurboTax software or may consult with a TurboTax live expert.
Caitlyn Moorhead contributed to the reporting for this article.
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