Get your tax refund fast
Edited by: Brad Hanson, Senior Editor, Tax
If you’re owed a tax refund, getting your money ASAP is important — especially if you need it to make ends meet, plan to pay down debt or build up savings, or want to make a big purchase. Here are some ways to speed up the process.
Image: Get-Your-Refund-FastEditorial Note: Intuit Credit Karma receives compensation from third-party advertisers, but that doesn’t affect our editors’ opinions. Our third-party advertisers don’t review, approve or endorse our editorial content. Information about financial products not offered on Credit Karma is collected independently. Our content is accurate to the best of our knowledge when posted.
3 ways to get your tax refund processed quickly
To get your refund processed by the IRS as fast as possible, submit your tax return electronically and choose direct deposit. People who do this are among the more than 90% of taxpayers who receive their refunds in under 21 days.
Image: E-file: Submitting electronically helps your return reach the IRS almost instantly, while mailing paper forms can take weeks.
Image: Circle + IconHowCSworks_labels-1File early: File as soon as you receive your tax forms to help speed things up, too.
Image: Circle + IconHowCSworks_labelsDirect deposit: Sending your refund straight to your bank account is faster and more secure than waiting for a paper check. You can even split your refund across multiple accounts.
How can I get early access to my tax refund?
If you want your refund fast, you may have an option.
Use banks or services that offer early access to your refund: You can receive your federal tax refund several days early by setting up direct deposit in an account with a financial institution or tax prep service that offers an early direct deposit feature.
There is another way to access funds early:
Get a refund advance loan: A refund advance is a short-term, typically no-interest loan offered by tax preparation companies, based on your expected tax refund.
Get Refund Advance through TurboTax*
*$0 loan fees, 0% APR. Terms apply. TurboTax loans issued by WebBank. IRS accepts returns starting late January.
Early access options: How do they stack up?
Early direct deposit (using a bank or service that releases funds early)
Pros
- Get your refund several days sooner than a standard deposit
- No loan required
- Simple setup: Just use direct deposit with an eligible account
Cons
- Availability varies by financial institution and timing of IRS release
- Doesn’t speed up IRS processing — only deposit timing
- Not compatible with certain options like refund advance loans (depending on the provider)
Refund advance loan (a short-term loan based on your expected refund)
Pros
- Access money quickly, sometimes within minutes of IRS acceptance
- Typically no interest and no fees when offered by qualified providers
Cons
- You must file taxes with the provider offering the loan
- Not available to everyone; eligibility rules apply
- May limit your ability to use early deposit options or pay fees out of your refund
Image: Circle + Icon@2x47% of Gen Z rely on their tax refund to help make ends meet.
Qualtrics survey on behalf of Intuit Credit Karma, January 2026
Got questions? We have answers.
Consider filing as soon as you have your W-2 or 1099 forms and the IRS is accepting returns for the year. The IRS typically opens filing in late January, and many people receive their forms before that date — meaning you can get everything ready early and file as soon as the season starts. Filing early can help you get your refund sooner, avoid last-minute stress, and reduce the risk of identity theft or fraudulent returns filed in your name.
Most e-filed returns with direct deposit arrive about 21 days after the IRS accepts your return. Some come sooner, especially early in the season. Paper returns take significantly longer.
Refunds typically arrive within about three weeks of IRS acceptance, but delays can happen if your return needs extra review, information is missing or incorrect, or you filed by mail. Incorrect bank details or certain credits can also slow it down.