Refund Anticipation Loan* (RAL) FAQS

If you have questions about Refund Anticipation Loans*, refer to these frequently asked questions. If you have additional questions not answered here, please ask your tax preparer for details.

• Can I apply for a RAL in any Jackson Hewitt office?
• You can apply for a RAL in many Jackson Hewitt office locations.  However, if a RAL isn't available to you at your local Jackson Hewitt office, your office will get you started by preparing your tax return, and then send you to another nearby Jackson Hewitt office with everything you need to conveniently complete your tax return and apply for a RAL.
• How do I apply for a RAL?
• A RAL may be chosen in addition to an Assisted Refund**.  To be eligible to apply, you will need a minimum Federal tax refund of $2,000 and meet other lender criteria.
• What happens if my refund is larger than the RAL amount?
• If you tax refund exceeds the RAL amount, you will receive the balance of your refund in approximately 7-13 days, as an Assisted Refund, in the delivery method you choose.
• What happens if my refund is not as much as expected or not issued at all?
• If your refund is not received in an amount sufficient to repay the RAL, you are responsible for paying the full amount of the RAL back to the bank.
• When will I know if I have been approved for a RAL?
• Typically you will know if you have been approved within one day.
• Does everyone who applies for a RAL get one?
• No.  In fact, taxpayers who had been approved for a RAL in prior years may not be approved this year.  The decision on who gets approved lies solely with the lending bank.  Jackson Hewitt and our tax preparers are not involved in the loan approval process.