Refund Anticipation Loan Alternatives

A few weeks ago I posted a blog entry regarding the IRS’s announcement that they would suspend the availability of the debt indicator next tax season. This indicator was used to identify whether an individual taxpayer would need to have a portion of their refund withheld because of unpaid taxes or other debts, such as unpaid child support or delinquent federally funded student loans.

However, the indicator also enabled tax companies to issue refund anticipation loans (RALs). These refund advances have come under fire over the past few years, because of excessive fees, and some unethical tax preparation offices that target low income taxpayers. Without the debt indicator, tax preparers will not be able to offer RALs.

Since RALs will no longer be available to taxpayers I decided to put together the following list of alternatives. By planning ahead you can prevent yourself from getting into a situation next April where you need extra money in a rush.

File Early

You can file your tax return as soon as tax season begins mid January. If you need your refunds quickly, then you should try to file as early as possible – while making sure you have all the proper documentation. As you get closer to the deadline IRS offices become swamped and it will take longer for them to process your return, and issue a refund. If you need your return quickly, then you should file as early as possible.

E-File your Return

Stop wasting time with paper returns, if you do not already e-file your tax return, then I highly recommend doing so this upcoming tax season. You will get your refund almost as fast as you would with a RAL, but without paying a penny in interest. According to the IRS, paper filers can expect to wait eight to ten weeks for a refund. E-filers, on the other hand, will receive their refunds in only a couple of weeks. Additionally, the likelihood of an error is significantly reduced when you e-file.

Direct Deposit

It is also a good idea to have your refund deposited directly into your bank account. Even if you do not e-file your return, you should still consider opting for direct deposit. When the IRS issues a check, it can take weeks to reach your mailbox. However, when you have the refund direct deposited it will show up in your bank account in as few as ten days.

Visit a Free Tax Preparation Office

If you are worried you might not be able to pay to have your tax return prepared without a RAL, you should consider visiting one of the IRS’s free tax return preparation sites offered by the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) Program. In order to be eligible for the free service, you will need to meet certain income requirements. For more information visit this page on IRS.gov.

Payday Loans

Just in case you do find yourself in a situation where you have no other option, you can always consider a payday advance loan. In order to qualify for an advance you will usually only need a steady job, and proof of income. However, you should always use extreme caution with payday loans, as they are notorious for very high fees and interest rates.

Taxpayers: Beware of Anticipation Refund Loans

The other day Charles Prescott, a tax preparer at the Roni Deutch Tax Center in Myrtle Beach, was interviewed by Carolina Live on the difference between refund anticipation loans and refund transfers, which are much better for consumers. Check out the article with the quote from Prescott below.

In this economy, some look for quick and easy cash advances on your tax filings, but consumer advocates say beware.

One of the ways to get in the most trouble is through something called a Refund Anticipation Loan -- or an RAL.

RALs are short-term loans based on the taxpayers expected refund, but it comes with a cost, and in some cases that means astronomical interest rates.

Some major tax preparers offer RALS, but at the Roni Deutch Tax Center in Myrtle Beach, the preparers say stay away.

"As a financial product, they're creating a loan that has absolutely no risk that charges an obscene interest rate. You should avoid these whenever possible," said Charles Prescott, a tax preparer.

But many Americans don't especially the working poor who are enticed by the quick and easy cash and who may not think about the fine print.

"While there are disclosures there, most people just don't read them. Kind of like the 30 pages or mortgage paperwork that no one read a few years ago."

For tax preparers and financial institutions who deal in RALs, they're a high-profit, low-risk loan. For consumers, the fees and interest rates add up quickly.

Continue reading at Carolina Live.com…

The Pros and Cons of Refund Anticipation Loans

In this economy, quick cash is in high demand. However, it is never a good idea to get into a new loan or financial venture without properly researching the topic. During tax season refund anticipation loans become popular as they allow you to borrow against a potential tax refund. However, these loans can be either good or bad depending on who you are and why you want one. To help decide if a refund anticipation loan is right for you, we have put together the following list of pros and cons.

Pro: Instant Cash

If you are low on cash and cannot wait for your refund to pay off some bills, a refund anticipation loan could certainly fill that role. While cash advances on a paycheck could pay for small bills that are due very soon, if you have a larger sum to pay off and no other way to do so, a refund advance loan could be very helpful.

Con: Interest and Fees

Unfortunately, the interest ad fees associated with these types of loans can be quite high. This is mostly due to the fact that the loan itself does not come from the preparers handling your taxes. Although you typically apply for and receive the loan through at a tax preparer’s office, they almost always outsource to third party lending banks.

Pro: Short Processing

As opposed to other large loans, a refund anticipation loan has a short application and approval process. Normally processing will take no more than a day, and the loan can be distributed within 24-48 hours. In comparison, traditional loans can take weeks to be approved and distributed.

Con: Payment Responsibility

Like with any loan, you are ultimately responsible for repaying the bank for the money they lent you. Therefore, if for any reason the lending bank does not receive the amount the full amount of your refund from the IRS then you will be held responsible for the difference.

Pro: No Tax Prep Fees

Usually if you decide to get a refund anticipation loan the tax preparer will deduct the cost of their services from your refund. This can be a great option for those who might not otherwise be able to afford the fees associated with professional tax preparation.

Con: Lack of Loan Education

Unfortunately, hundreds of people take advantage of refund anticipation loans every year without fully understanding their options. As with any major financial transaction you always want to carefully consider the pros and cons before making a decision, and when it comes to refund anticipation loans if you do not need the funds right away then you would probably be better off waiting for a check from the IRS.