the early tax refund offers are popping up ...?

It is legal, but you end up paying an outrageous interest rate on what is essentially a 4 month loan. You are better spending the money on a credit card and paying it off when you get your refund if you need the cash right away. If at all possible, just wait until your refund comes. Best option of all, adjust your withholding so that you get the money you deserve with your paycheck instead of on your tax refund.

1. They are a lousy deal given the high fees and interest rates. People getting modest refunds often lose half of their refund to the fees and interest.

2. You also must have your return prepared by a participating tax prep firm. Add that cost to the other fees.

3. Most of the national chains are no longer offering them.

4. Most folks can e-file for free and have their refund sent to their bank in as little as 8 days, so you are paying big bucks to get your money about 5 to 12 days faster.

5. While legal, military personnel are not eligible as the interest rates are too high.

6. Reliability is a sore spot. Massive flubs by TaxBrain, TurboTax, and several banks over the past few years have resulted in people waiting 8 to 12 weeks for a paper check in the mail.

7. The application will be evaluated using the bank's standard credit criteria. You don't need perfect credit, but if it's crappy, you'll be denied.

8. If you are denied, you will wait an extra week compared to how long it would have taken to e-file on your own and have it sent directly to your bank since the money will still go to the bank first and they will have to forward it to you. Once your tax return has been accepted by the IRS, it's not possible to change the method of payment.

9. Unless you are about to be evicted or have hungry children to feed and no other means to get by for the next week, skip the refund loans.

1) they are not early tax refund offers and it is 100% illegal to market them as such. 2) they are personal loans amounting to over 400% interest and are designed for the foolish 3) if you have bad credit you will be denied 4) go to a pro and have your withholding straighten out no one should ever get a refund

Very expensive, high interest rates

Illegal in many states

MOST cannot/willnot give you any early loan on refund, even the biggies (Block & Jackson Hewitt) won't, may get small personal loan

The biggies will only give you a 14 day loan at the TIME you file your actual tax return. . . .not before mid-January

Legal, and stupid. You are paying someone to gie you money you can get yourself for free in 6 weeks.

with the known companies it apparently is safe, but very expensive