Bottom line: Liberty Tax may be a useful option if you expect a large advance and filed too late to qualify with another tax advance provider. For everyone else, you may pay less and be able to borrow more by using a different tax preparation company. Read our full review.
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Liberty Tax refund advance review
Our verdict
Get an advance as late as the end of February — but be prepared for a 35.99% APR.
Liberty Tax offers one of the largest advance amount of the providers we've reviewed, until as late as the end of February. But it's also the only one that has a finance charge equal to an interest rate of 35.99%. That's where most personal loan providers cap out. This means if you have good or even fair credit, you might qualify for a better deal by taking out a personal loan instead.
Liberty Tax's process isn't transparent, either. Information like concrete eligibility requirements and how you'll receive your funds isn't available on its website. And you'll have to visit a store to file your taxes and apply — it doesn't offer an online application.
If you're interested in a lower interest rate, you may want to compare other refund advance services.
How Liberty Tax’s tax Easy Advance Loan works
Between the beginning of January and end of February, you can apply for an Easy Advance Loan at a Liberty Tax branch when you file your taxes. For 2024, the deadline is February 28. Depending on your refund, you may be eligible for an advance between $500 to $6,250
Your advance may be available within 24 hours of IRS acceptance of your tax documents, and funds are disbursed to a DeepBlue Debit Account.
How to qualify
Liberty Tax only discloses one requirement: You must file your taxes through its service — and the only option is to meet with a representative at a Liberty Tax office. However, you will also need to meet some underwriting criteria set by Republic Bank & Trust Company, though it doesn’t state what those are.
Check to see if you’re eligible by filling out Liberty Tax’s online form, but there’s no guarantee that you’ll be approved once you visit an office.
Will applying affect my credit?
It may. Liberty Tax doesn’t state outright if applying will affect your credit, so be sure to ask before you fill out an application.
Liberty Tax reviews and complaints
| BBB accredited | No |
|---|---|
| BBB rating | NR |
| BBB customer reviews | No reviews |
| Trustpilot Score | 3.1 out of 5 stars, based on 11 customer reviews. |
| Customer reviews verified as of | 28 February 2024 |
Liberty Tax doesn’t have any reviews listed on its Better Business Bureau (BBB) page — and the BBB reports government action taken against the company. In 2022, the Attorney General for DC filed a lawsuit against Liberty Tax Service. The lawsuit alleges that Liberty Tax Service aggressively marketed its services to low-income residents by offering them $50 in cash “just for filing,” but then secretly increased the cost of tax preparation.
Compare tax refund advances like Liberty Tax Service
Check out how Liberty Tax Service holds up against other tax refund advances.
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How do I apply?
You must apply at a Liberty Tax location when you meet with a tax advisor to files your taxes. Follow these steps to book an in-person appointment for the Easy Advance Loan application:
- Visit Liberty Tax’s Easy Advance Loan page.
- Select Book an appointment.
- Fill out your city or ZIP.
- Choose from a selection of locations nearest you.
- View the online calendar to choose an available time slot.
- Enter your full name, email and phone contact plus any special instructions for your file.
- Hit Make appointment.
Once you meet with a tax preparer, you’ll learn how much you’re eligible to borrow based on your tax refund amount less any advance loan fees.
What documents do I need to apply?
You won’t need much to see if you qualify online, but you’ll need more information when you file your taxes at a Liberty Tax branch, including:
- Date of birth
- Social Security number
- W-2s and other tax forms
- Last year’s tax information
If you aren’t interested in the high interest rate charged by LibertyTax — and the less-than-clear requirements — you can browse more tax refund loan options or look into our list of tax refund advance alternatives.
Frequently asked questions
Our answers to more questions you might have about Liberty Tax.
How do I get a refund with only my pay stub?
You’ll need to file a full tax return with the IRS to qualify for an advance.
Do I need to file my taxes through Liberty Tax to qualify?
Yes. You must file your taxes through Liberty Tax and meet with a Liberty Tax advisor to apply for the Easy Advance.
Liberty Tax Service tax refund advances is not currently available on Finder
Have you considered Upstart personal loans?
This service looks beyond your credit score to get you a competitive-rate personal loan.
- Work and education get you better rates
- Hardship program
- Accepts fair credit
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