As you do your taxes, you may run across the opportunity to get your tax refund instantly. How does that work? Is the IRS processing returns and sending money more quickly than you remembered?
As NCLC's Chi Chi Wu explains, "it isn't actually your own refund" but rather a loan. Somebody else's money is available before yours is, and you can borrow it for a fee. A recent Money Markets and More podcast episode explains these products (audio available below).
In general, they're not a great deal. Costs are higher than they would be for other loans, and they may not even be necessary -- the IRS will send refunds to your bank account relatively quickly using direct deposit. If you can wait 10 - 14 days, skip the loan.
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