Rapid Refund Has a Cousin

Rapid Refunds have been called many names such as Refund Anticipation Loan, RALS and now Tax Refund Advance. The Office of Comptroller of the Currency has blocked Hallmark, H&R Block, McAnnally & Company and HSBC from offering rapid refunds because the IRS was unable to determine if a tax filer was credit worthy to receive a rapid refund loan. In the past tax filers who owed taxes were still able to get a refund. The glitch was only found after the rapid refund was received by the tax filer. Chase (JP Chase Morgan) stopped offering rapid refunds in 2010.

In place of rapid refunds, H&R Block now offers RACs, Refund Anticipation Checks that provides tax filers with a refund checks in 8 to 15 days for refund amounts up to $9,999. You don’t pay any interest but the fee is deducted from your refund. You can get the money deposited in your bank account or have a check written in the refund amount. Getting a check will cost you an additional fee. Rapid refunds have very high interest rates starting around 40% up to 500% or more. Tax preparation companies don’t guarantee that you will get your money before the normal wait time from the IRS.

You can save yourself a fee by just being patient and waiting the normal wait time. Jackson Hewitt still offers rapid refunds for refund amounts up to $1,500. Liberty Tax still offers rapid refunds in additional to several accounting firms.

The IRS is taking steps to prevent more tax filers from using rapid refunds by processing tax returns quicker in real time so refunds can be received in 2 to 3 days starting next year. Here are 5 tips to get your tax refund faster and save money.

1. File early. If you expect to get a refund file your taxes as soon as you get your W-2. Early filers receive their refund quicker.
2. Assistance. Use a tax preparation software or get professional assistance from a licensed tax preparer or accountant to prepare your taxes to minimize getting audited or having errors on your tax returns. Many tax preparation software programs now guarantee that you will not be audited and that your tax returns are correct.
3. Direct Deposit. Have your tax refund deposited in your bank account to reduce processing time.
4. File Online. File your tax online by using a free tax preparation site with the IRS or a tax preparation software such as Turbo Tax or Tax Cut that can file your taxes electronically to reduce processing time. You can get your check within 14 days from the IRS or your local state taxing agency.
5. Deposit. Deposit your tax refund check into your bank account and skip using a check cashing store or liquor store to cash your check.

Ways to Increase Your Tax Refund

It is that dreaded time of the year when everyone has to gather their receipts if you can find them to begin preparing to file taxes. Many argue that we should have a flat tax for all Americans. There are pros and cons to having a flat tax.

For now, we all have to pay our taxes or suffer the consequences like Wesley Snipes and be sent to jail. Some people try to avoid paying taxes by filing for bankruptcy but not all taxes can be included in bankruptcy.

If you plan on filing taxes this year here are some ways to increase your refund.

1. Tax Deductions. Check your health care costs, mortgage interest, closing and settlement costs, job-related expenses, tax preparation fees, moving costs, student loan interest or credit card interest which are just a few you can claim to increase your tax deductions.

2. State Sales Tax. If you live in a state that does not charge state taxes you can either deduct state and local sales taxes or state and local income taxes but you cannot deduct both. If you choose sales tax remember to include all items eligible for sales tax. Check the IRS website sales tax tables for your state.

3. Refinance. Don't forget to include your refinance costs when filing. When you refinance you have to deduct the mortgage points over the life of the loan so it's better to refinance for less time than your original loan. If you previously had a 30 year loan refinance to 20 years or less.

4. Property Tax. File a Schedule L to claim the property tax for personal property including car registration fees.

5. Casualty Loss. If you claim the standard deduction you can add casualty loss to your standard deduction amount if the loss occurred in an area that was declared as a disaster area by the President. You will have to file a Schedule L with your tax return to include the loss.

6. Read. Read the federal and state tax booklet that corresponds with your tax forms to make sure you are not overlooking any tax credits that you may be eligible for.

7. Avoid Rapid Refund. Don't get a rapid refund or loan. These usually have high interest rates and may not provide your refund faster than filing electronically.

8. Use Software. There are several free tax software available that you can use to file your taxes. Check frequently for software updates that may include additional tax deductions. Also look for free tax filing services in your area.

9. Reinvested Dividends (DRIP). Reinvested dividends cannot be deducted on your taxes but you can subtract the amount from your total taxable income which can save you money because it reduces your taxable capital gains.

10. Estate Tax. If you inherited an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) from an estate that was subject to estate taxes you can get an income tax deduction for the amount of estate tax paid on the IRA you received. You can claim an itemized deduction on Schedule A which will save you money.