Why wait on your refund when you could get a Refund Advance loan?

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Refund Advance loan FAQs

Refund Advance loan is a no-interest loan that is repaid with your tax refund. File your taxes at a participating H&R Block office and apply between January 2, 2026 and March 15, 2026. If approved, a loan will be issued in one of six amounts ($250, $500, $750, $1,250, $2,500, $4,000). Refund Advance is a loan issued by Pathward®, N.A.; it is not your tax refund.

The Refund Advance loan is available in participating H&R Block offices beginning January 2, 2026 through March 15, 2026.

The Refund Advance loan is a 0% APR loan. There is no interest and no loan fees charged for the Refund Advance loan. Fees for other optional products or product features may apply.

You first must meet certain eligibility requirements such as e-filing a tax return at a participating H&R Block office, expecting a sufficient refund by the IRS and provide appropriate identification.


You then submit an application to Pathward®, N.A., the lender. The bank will evaluate your application based on standard underwriting criteria and makes the decision to approve or deny your application.

No. The bank may review your credit report as part of your application, but the review will not impact your credit score.

If your application is approved, in most cases the funds will be available the same day you apply for the Refund Advance loan.

The Refund Advance loan proceeds must be placed on an H&R Block Emerald Prepaid Mastercard® (“Emerald Card®”) or deposited into a Spruce℠ account.


Learn more about Emerald Card®


Learn more about Spruce

No, the only disbursement options for the Refund Advance loan proceeds are the Emerald Card and a Spruce account. Emerald Card and Spruce allow a one-time transfer of funds by check or automated clearing house (ACH) from your Emerald Card or Spruce account for no fee.


Learn more about Emerald Card®


Learn more about Spruce

You can choose to repay the loan from your refund using one of the following accounts:


Refund Transfer: For a $42 fee, the loan will be repaid from your Refund Transfer Account, along with tax preparation fees and other amounts you authorize. The remaining funds will be delivered via the disbursement method chosen during tax preparation – Emerald Card, Spruce account, direct deposit, or check. (It is not required to purchase a Refund Transfer to apply for or receive the Refund Advance loan; it is entirely optional.)


Repayment Account: If you do not select Refund Transfer, you direct the loan to be repaid from a Repayment Account and the remaining amount will be loaded to your Emerald Card or deposited to your Spruce account. There is no cost for the Repayment Account.

File with a tax pro

Our tax pros are trained to get you every credit and deduction you deserve. You can request to work with the same tax pro year after year so we can get to know you and your unique tax situation.

H&R Block tax pro Yolanda G.

Applications close Dec. 31. You could get a loan for up to $1,500. Explore Emerald Advance® Loan