Early Tax Refund Advance loan: Holiday tax loans

Key takeaways:

• Apply for an advance based on your tax refund right in time for the holidays with an Early Tax Refund Advance loan.² 
• You could get up to $1,500 with an approved Early Tax Refund Advance loan from December 11, 2025, to January 11, 2026. 
• To apply for an Early Tax Refund Advance loan, book an appointment with a Tax Pro or stop by one of our thousands of participating locations (including inside many Walmart stores) across the U.S. You’ll need your most recent paystub(s) and a government-issued ID for you and your spouse if you’re filing jointly. 
• Get money on a prepaid card the same day if you’re approved for a holiday tax advance loan with our Money Today Guarantee.¹ 
• You do not have to pay anything upfront to apply for an Early Tax Refund Advance loan for Christmas with Jackson Hewitt. 
• Jackson Hewitt makes it easy to repay your loan by arranging to have your loan amount and finance charge come right out of your tax refund when the IRS sends it. 
• Applying for an Early Tax Refund Advance loan will not impact your credit score, and you may get approved even if you have poor credit history.

What is an Early Tax Refund Advance loan? 

An Early Tax Refund Advance loan² is an advance based on your tax refund you can access early enough for the holidays. From gifts and decorations to feasts, the holidays can really add up. You could have more holiday spending money, fast, if approved for an Early Tax Refund Advance loan. 

The Early Tax Refund Advance loan could give you access to money before you even file your tax return. And the only thing you need to apply is your paystub(s) and a government-issued ID (and your spouse’s ID if filing jointly)! 

Does Jackson Hewitt offer a holiday tax loan? 

Yes, we offer an Early Tax Refund Advance loan,² which is an advance based on your tax refund before you file, giving you extra spending money in time for the holidays. 

When can I get a Tax Refund Advance loan early? 

You can get holiday money from your Early Tax Refund Advance loan² on a prepaid card as early as December 11, 2025, if approved. Best of all, we have a Money Today Guarantee.¹ That means if you choose to get your money on a prepaid card, you’ll get it the same day you’re approved for a holiday tax refund advance loan. Only Jackson Hewitt has the Money Today Guarantee! 

How much money can I get from the Early Tax Refund Advance loan? 

With an Early Tax Refund Advance loan,² you could qualify for up to $1,500 from December 11, 2025, to January 11, 2026. That’s money you could use to make your holidays merrier and brighter, and all you need to apply is your latest paystub(s) and a government-issued ID for you and your spouse if you’re filing jointly.

When you come in to apply for an Early Tax Refund Advance loan, you will also start an application for a Tax Refund Advance loan.⁴ You could get up to $3,500 between January 2, 2026, and April 15, 2025, if approved. 

To get the additional money, just come back to file your tax return with all your necessary tax documents.

How do I apply for an Early Tax Refund Advance loan? 

To apply for an Early Tax Refund Advance loan,² book an appointment with a Tax Pro or stop by one of our thousands of participating locations (including inside many Walmart stores) across the U.S. between December 11, 2025, and January 11, 2026. Appointments go quickly, so don’t wait to schedule a time that works for you! 

Make sure that you bring in your most recent paystub(s) when you come in to apply. Your Jackson Hewitt Tax Pro will need your paystub(s) to estimate the size of your tax refund and help you apply for an Early Tax Refund Advance loan. 

You can get loan money in minutes on a prepaid card if approved, before you get your W-2(s) and/or other tax documents in January.

How do I get my Early Tax Refund Advance loan money fast? 

We believe you shouldn’t wait for the money you need for you and your family. That’s why we offer a Money Today Guarantee. Jackson Hewitt guarantees that you’ll get your loan money on the same day if you’re approved for an Early Tax Refund Advance loan² and you choose to get it on a prepaid card.¹ If you choose to get your loan money via direct deposit, you can expect to get it in 1 to 5 business days. 

Do I have to pay anything upfront? 

You do not have to pay anything upfront to apply for an Early Tax Refund Advance loan² for Christmas with Jackson Hewitt. However, it’s important to note that there is a finance charge (see the chart below to learn more).

Jackson Hewitt makes it easy to repay your loan by arranging to have your loan amount and finance charge come right out of your tax refund when the IRS sends it. 

How do I find a participating location that is offering Tax Refund Advance loans and book an appointment? 

You can find Jackson Hewitt Tax Pros to help you apply for an Early Tax Refund Advance loan2 in thousands of independent offices and Walmart locations across the country. Search for your nearest open location. Book your appointment online or call a local office directly. 

How much does a Tax Refund Advance loan cost? 

It depends on the amount of the Tax Refund Advance loan you get and how long it takes to pay it back.

The Early Tax Refund Advance loan² has a 35.99% Annual Percentage Rate (APR). The estimated finance charge assumes the loan is repaid in 66 days, which is the average number of days that interest accrues on Early Tax Refund Advance loans. Because of the possibility of delays in your receipt of your tax refund, this period may be longer, and more interest may accrue before your Early Tax Refund Advance loan is repaid. However, in no event will interest accrue after 120 days.

Outlined below are representative examples of available credit terms for the Early Tax Refund Advance loan.

Early Tax Refund Advance loan: Money in time for the holiday

December 11, 2025 – January 11, 2026

*Paid from your tax refund when received by First Century Bank, N.A.

The amount of the loan and any finance charge is deducted from your tax refund, reducing the amount paid to you.

How long will it take to get my Early Tax Refund Advance loan? 

You will get your Early Tax Refund Advance² loan the same day if you’re approved, and you choose to get your money on a prepaid card.¹ Only Jackson Hewitt offers a Money Today Guarantee. 

If you choose to get your money via direct deposit, you can expect to get it in 1 to 5 business days. 

Waiting for the IRS to send your refund means waiting until at least January to get your W-2 and/or other tax documents and file your tax return. Even then, it takes time for the IRS to process and send out your refund. 

If approved for an Early Tax Refund Advance loan with our Money Today Guarantee, you could get the holiday money you need when you need it most! Find a local Jackson Hewitt Tax Pro near you today. We are here to answer any questions you may have during the holidays, this tax season, and year-round. 

Will applying for an Early Tax Refund Advance loan impact my credit score? 

No, applying for an Early Tax Refund Advance loan² will not impact your credit score. Better yet, you do not need to have a high credit score to apply. We have high approval rates, and you may get approved, even if you don’t have a good credit history. 

Documents needed for an Early Tax Refund Advance loan 

The only documents you’ll need to apply for an Early Tax Refund Advance loan² are your most recent paystub(s), and a government-issued ID for you and your spouse if you’re filing jointly. This will allow a Jackson Hewitt Tax Pro to estimate your tax refund. 

When you get your W-2 and/or other tax documents, come back in to file between January 2, 2026, and April 15, 2026, to get a Tax Refund Advance loan.⁴ 

Want up to $1,500 in holiday shopping money? Book your appointment today to apply for an Early Tax Refund Advance loan! 

Product disclosures 

¹The Money Today Guarantee is only available to clients who (i) are approved for an Early Tax Refund Advance loan; and (ii) elect and are eligible to receive loan funds on a prepaid card. Loan available during hours of operation. Hours vary by location. Loan application must be submitted by 11pm local time. If funds are not credited to your card before 12am local time, Jackson Hewitt will credit $50 within 2 weeks to your card if available or provide you a $50 eGift card. Fees, terms, and conditions apply to the prepaid card.

²The Early Tax Refund Advance (ETRA) is a loan secured by, and paid back with, your tax refund and is offered by First Century Bank, N.A. Loan amounts are determined by your expected federal refund, less authorized fees and underwriting. Loan amounts are $300, $500, $1,000, and $1,500. To be eligible for the $1,500 ETRA loan, your expected federal refund, less authorized fees, must be at least $5,000. Most approved applicants get $300. ETRA loan is subject to underwriting and approval. Loan proceeds are typically available on the same day of approval, if disbursed on a prepaid card offered at Jackson Hewitt offices, or in 1-5 business days with direct deposit. Terms and restrictions apply. For details visit jacksonhewitt.com/loans. Jackson Hewitt is a Rhode Island Licensed Loan Broker and holds other relevant licenses for the locations where this product is offered. If approved, a finance charge applies except for residents of CT and NE.

³The Money Today Guarantee is only available to clients who (i) are approved for a Tax Refund Advance loan; and (ii) elect and are eligible to receive loan funds on a prepaid card. Loan available during hours of operation. Hours vary by location. Loan application must be submitted by 11pm local time. If funds are not credited to your card before 12am local time, Jackson Hewitt will credit $50 within 2 weeks to your card if available or provide you a $50 eGift card. Fees, terms, and conditions apply to the prepaid card.

⁴The Tax Refund Advance (TRA) is a loan secured by, and paid back with, your tax refund and is offered by First Century Bank, N.A. Loan amounts are determined by your expected federal refund, less authorized fees and underwriting. Loan amounts are $500, $750, $1,000, $1,500, $2,500, and $3,500. To be eligible for the $3,500 TRA loan, a minimum refund amount of $5,000 is required. $7,100 is the minimum refund needed if you received an ETRA loan. Most approved applicants get $1,500. TRA loan is subject to underwriting and approval. Loan proceeds are typically available on the same day of approval, if disbursed on a prepaid card offered at Jackson Hewitt offices, or in 1-5 business days with direct deposit. Terms and restrictions apply. For details visit jacksonhewitt.com/loans. Jackson Hewitt is a Rhode Island Licensed Loan Broker and holds other relevant licenses for the locations where this product is offered. If approved, a finance charge applies except for residents of CT and NE.

About the Author

Sharon Brucker is a Senior Tax Research Analyst at Jackson Hewitt Tax Services who specializes in consumer income tax and estate and trust issues. A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and more than 35 years of experience, Sharon helps to ensure that the most current IRS tax information is distributed throughout Jackson Hewitt and its franchisees. She also simplifies complex tax laws for Tax Pros and clients alike.

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