If I file taxes via Turbo Tax or go to H&R Block, how long will it take to get a refund?

I just did mine through the TurboTax free edition. I got my w2 on 1/15, filed on 1/18. The IRS began processing refunds on 1 / 30. Mine cleared in my bank account on 2/8.

They’re pretty damn quick. Direct deposit is the way to go.

Roughly 2 weeks. They usually do direct deposits on Thursday night/Friday.

Most tax software and services will give you filing loans where they lend you your refund, less a fee (maybe a quarter of your refund), and then they take the whole refund when it comes. It is usury, but some people will take a deal like that if they are desperate enough. It’s a good way to keep yourself in poverty longer. It’s better to borrow money from people you know. It’s probably even better to borrow money from the mob, but they’re likely not much better than Turbotax loans. Although turbotax probably won’t break your leg if you don’t pay them back. That’s because they make sure you do pay them back.

@Seek_Kolinahr – It looks as if their “free” version is actually not free! (Well, it is for federal.) So, maybe I’ll do that online, and do the state by hand. Is that how your process went?

Ah. I live in Florida. No state tax. So, yeah, mine was free.

I efiled last night and it said 21 business days for it to be direct deposited. Turned out I didn’t qualify for free file through Turbotax this year, so I used HR Block online. The qualifiers for free filing are very arbitrary and different between tax preparation services.

Went with Turbo Tax. Should me a deduction I was eligible for that I’d never heard of, which may have netted me a bit more than had I done them on my own. Yay!