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Starts at $48
Tax preparation fee
0%
APR
February 23, 2020
Application deadline
| Product name | Jackson Hewitt No Fee Refund Advance |
|---|---|
| Maximum advance amount | $3,200 |
| Minimum advance amount | $200 |
| APR | 0% |
| Turnaround | Same day to receive funds on a prepaid card, 1 to 5 days for direct deposit |
| Tax preparation fee | Starts at $48 |
| Application deadline | February 23, 2020 |
| States serviced | Only available at participating branches |
| Requirements | Considers identity verification; payment history with the IRS; status of your student loans, child support and tax liens |
Review by
Kellye Guinan is a writer and editor with Finder and has years of experience in academic writing and research. Between her passion for books and her love of language, she works on creating stories and volunteering her time on worthy causes. She lives in the woods and likes to find new bug friends in between reading just a little too much nonfiction.
Jackson Hewitt offers the best of both worlds: You can see if you’re eligible for a refund advance online, then visit a Jackson Hewitt store for personalized tax advice. And since it offers direct deposit alongside a prepaid card option, you won’t be stuck with another card in your wallet if you don’t want it. Its smaller advances are interest free, and it also offers a larger option up to $6,400 if you’re willing to pay a fee.
However, you still need to visit a branch to officially apply — there’s no online application. And direct deposits can take up to five business days to hit your account. It also considers the status of your student loans, child support and tax liens when deciding if you qualify.
Not sure Jackson Hewitt is right for you? Consider taking out a personal loan instead.
Jackson Hewitt’s tax refund advance is offered in partnership with MetaBank. While it doesn’t disclose exact requirements, it looks at the following criteria in determining if you qualify:
Jackson Hewitt’s No Fee Refund Advance is available in six amounts: $200, $500, $750, $1,000, $1,250 and $3,200. You can see if you prequalify online, but you’ll need to visit a participating Jackson Hewitt store to file your taxes and fill out the advance application.
If approved, funds are available within 24 hours if you choose to receive them on an American Express Serve Card. Otherwise, it could take one to five business days to have the advance deposited into your bank account.
To pay back your advance, Jackson Hewitt automatically deducts the amount from your tax refund once it’s processed by the IRS — which means no extra work on your end.
The Go Big Refund Advance is available in the following amounts: $1,000, $1,500, $2,000, $2,500, $4,500, $5,500 and $6,400. However, it comes with a fee of 2% of the loan amount. And the deadline to apply is February 2, 2020.
Jackson Hewitt’s No Fee Refund Advance doesn’t charge any interest, so you’ll only be on the hook for your tax preparation fee. This fee starts at $48, but will vary based on the complexity of your taxes.
Jackson Hewitt requires you to visit a branch to have your taxes prepared and apply in person. But you can see if you prequalify online by following these steps:
If you prequalify, you will see your estimated advance amount. You will still need to set up an appointment at a Jackson Hewitt branch to file your taxes and finalize your advance.
When you visit a participating Jackson Hewitt branch, you will need to bring the following information:
Depending on your other income and debts, you may be required to bring more information. Contact your local Jackson Hewitt branch to discuss any other documents you may need.
Jackson Hewitt may offer a handful of options when it comes to getting your refund early, but consider these potential drawbacks before applying:
No, Jackson Hewitt won’t check your credit when you apply for any of its refund advances.
| Refund advance amount | APR | Tax preparation fee | Deadline | Online application | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| H&R Block | $250 to $3,500 | 0% | Yes, but not stated | February 29, 2020 | No | Read review |
| Intuit TurboTax | $250 to $2,000 | 0% | Varies | February 7, 2020 — or until funds run out | Yes | Read review |
| Liberty Tax Service | $500 to $6,250 | 35.99% | Not stated | February 28, 2020 | No | Read review |
10+ best alternatives to tax refund advances
Need a larger loan amount? Read our guide to personal loans to explore other options available.