Jackson Hewitt partners with Elevate Credit for refund advance loans

Jackson Hewitt uses Elevate Credit (operating under the brand name Elevate) to provide refund advance loans, also called refund anticipation loans or RALs. This is a loan against your expected tax refund, not the refund itself. Elevate funds the loan, Jackson Hewitt arranges it as part of the tax preparation process, and you repay it from your actual refund when it arrives from the IRS.

The loan is separate from your tax return. Jackson Hewitt prepares your return; Elevate decides whether to lend you money based on your refund estimate and their underwriting criteria. You are not borrowing from Jackson Hewitt directly—you are borrowing from Elevate, and Jackson Hewitt is the intermediary that connects you to the lender.

This arrangement has changed over the years. Jackson Hewitt has used different lenders at different times, so if you used a refund advance with them in a previous year, the lender may have been different. Always confirm the current lender when you discuss a refund advance, because the terms, fees, and approval process depend on which company is actually lending the money.

Key Takeaways

  • Elevate Credit is the current lender behind Jackson Hewitt's refund advance loans, though this partnership may change year to year.
  • A refund advance is a loan you repay from your tax refund, not a way to receive your refund faster—the IRS timeline does not change.
  • Jackson Hewitt charges fees for arranging the loan, and Elevate charges interest; both costs come out of your refund.
  • You must be approved by Elevate's underwriting process, which looks at your refund amount, filing status, and other factors—not all applicants are approved.
  • The loan funds within one to two business days if approved, but your actual tax refund still takes the normal IRS processing time.

How the refund advance loan actually works

When you ask Jackson Hewitt about a refund advance, they estimate your refund based on your tax information. That estimate goes to Elevate, which decides whether to lend you that amount (or a portion of it). If Elevate approves you, the loan money is deposited into your bank account within one to two business days. You then repay the loan from your actual tax refund when it arrives.

The key point: the loan is not your refund. Your refund still goes through the normal IRS process, which takes 21 days or longer depending on how you filed and whether the IRS has questions. The loan just gives you access to that money sooner, in exchange for fees and interest.

Jackson Hewitt charges a fee for preparing your return and arranging the loan. Elevate charges interest on the loan itself. Both amounts are deducted from your refund. If your refund is smaller than expected, you may still owe Elevate the full loan amount plus interest, even if your actual refund does not cover it.

Fees and interest you will pay

Jackson Hewitt's fees for tax preparation and loan arrangement vary by the complexity of your return. Elevate's interest rate and fees depend on the loan amount, your creditworthiness, and other underwriting factors. Neither company publishes a single fixed rate; you receive a specific offer after Elevate reviews your information.

The total cost is usually between $100 and $300 for a typical refund, though it can be higher or lower. Ask Jackson Hewitt for the exact fees before you agree to the loan. They should show you the Jackson Hewitt fee, the Elevate interest rate, and the total amount that will be deducted from your refund.

If you do not take the refund advance loan, you pay only Jackson Hewitt's tax preparation fee, not Elevate's interest. Many people find that waiting for the IRS refund is cheaper than paying the loan fees, especially if the refund is small.

Who gets approved for a refund advance

Elevate uses its own underwriting process to decide whether to lend to you. They look at the size of your expected refund, your filing status, whether you have filed with them before, and other factors. They do not typically run a hard credit check, but they may review your banking history or other data.

Not everyone is approved. Common reasons for denial include a refund that is too small, a return that is too complex, or a previous loan that was not repaid. If Elevate denies you, Jackson Hewitt can still prepare your return, but you will not have access to a refund advance through them.

If you are denied, you can still wait for your refund from the IRS. You can also explore other options, such as a personal loan from a bank or credit union, though those typically have higher interest rates and stricter approval requirements.

What happens if your refund is smaller than the loan

If the IRS reduces your refund after you have already received the loan—because of an error on your return, a tax offset, or an IRS adjustment—you still owe Elevate the full loan amount plus interest. The shortfall comes out of your bank account or is pursued as a debt.

This is one of the biggest risks of a refund advance. You are betting that your refund estimate is accurate. If it is not, you end up paying back more than you received. Before you take the loan, make sure you are confident in the refund amount Jackson Hewitt calculated.

Alternatives to a refund advance loan

If you need money before your refund arrives, you have other options. A personal loan from a bank, credit union, or online lender may have a lower interest rate than a refund advance, though approval is not may provide. A credit card cash advance is another option, though the interest rate is usually very high.

The simplest alternative is to wait. The IRS processes most returns within 21 days if you file electronically and choose direct deposit. If you can manage without the money for three weeks, you avoid the loan fees entirely and receive your full refund.

If you are in a genuine financial emergency, a refund advance may be worth the cost. But if you are just impatient, the fees usually outweigh the benefit of having the money a few weeks early.

How to get a refund advance through Jackson Hewitt

When you prepare your return at Jackson Hewitt, ask the tax preparer about refund advance options. They will estimate your refund and explain the fees. If you want to proceed, they will submit your information to Elevate for underwriting.

Elevate typically responds within a few hours to a day. If you are approved, you choose how to receive the loan—usually direct deposit to your bank account. The money arrives within one to two business days. You then sign a loan agreement that explains the repayment terms and the amount that will be deducted from your refund.

Keep all documents related to the loan, including the loan agreement, fee disclosure, and confirmation of the loan amount. You will need these if there is a dispute later about how much was deducted from your refund.

What to do if something goes wrong

If you received a refund advance loan and believe you were charged incorrectly, or if your refund was reduced unexpectedly, contact Elevate first. Elevate handles the loan terms and repayment. Jackson Hewitt handles the tax return preparation and fee arrangement.

If Elevate deducted more than you agreed to, or if you believe the interest rate was misrepresented, you can file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) at consumerfinance.gov. The CFPB investigates complaints against lenders and can order refunds or other remedies.

If Jackson Hewitt charged you a fee that was not disclosed, or if there was an error in your tax return that affected your refund, contact Jackson Hewitt directly. If they do not resolve it, you can file a complaint with your state's tax authority or attorney general's office.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a refund advance make my refund come faster from the IRS?

No. The IRS processes your return on its own timeline, which is typically 21 days for electronic returns. The refund advance is a loan that gives you money when ready, but your actual refund still takes the normal time. You repay the loan from that refund when it arrives.

What if I do not have a bank account?

Most refund advance lenders, including Elevate, require direct deposit to a bank account. If you do not have one, you may not be able to get a refund advance. You can open a basic bank account at most banks or credit unions, often with no minimum balance or monthly fee.

Can I get a refund advance if I owe back taxes or child support?

The IRS can offset your refund to pay back taxes or other federal debts. If this happens, your refund will be smaller than expected, and you may still owe the full loan amount to Elevate. Some state child support agencies can also offset refunds. Ask Jackson Hewitt whether you have any offsets before you take the loan.

What if Elevate denies me for a refund advance?

If Elevate denies you, Jackson Hewitt can still prepare your return and file it with the IRS. You will not have access to a refund advance through them, but you can wait for your refund from the IRS or explore other borrowing options.

Can I cancel the refund advance after I have taken the loan?

Once the loan is funded and deposited into your account, you have taken on a debt to Elevate. You cannot straightforward cancel it. You must repay it from your refund or from your own funds. Review the loan agreement carefully before you accept the loan.