Help Articles

Pay-by-Refund is not a loan against the refund. The IRS or state tax agency needs to first release the funds to the bank before the taxpayer will receive their refund. The IRS issues most refunds within 21 days however it's possible the tax return may require additional review and could take longer.

The fee for Pay-by-Refund is $59.90, this includes a technology fee of $19.95.

The technology fee includes the cost of programming specific Settlement Solution Provider software and communication protocols as well as mandated security testing.  This fee will be taken out of the taxpayer's refund along with the bank fee.  The fee is an industry-wide standard across all professional tax preparation software.

In order for your client to use Pay-by-Refund, the following steps must be completed before the return is electronically filed.

1. Complete the client's tax return and clear any error messages.
2. Ensure the return is marked for e-file.
3. Enter any and all preparer fees on the Client Specific Billing Options worksheet.
4. Open the Federal Information Worksheet. 
5. Scroll down to Part VIII - Direct Deposit and Refund Disbursement Options.
6. In the Pay-by-Refund (withhold fees from refund proceeds) section check the Check to select Pay by Refund checkbox.
   
7. Click on the QuickZoom button for the Refund Advantage Processing Worksheet.
8. In State Pay-by-Refund Option section check Yes if you would like a state refund transfer to be added to the Pay-by-Refund.
   • State Pay-by-Refund can only be e-filed if a federal return is being processed with Pay-by-Refund as well.
9. Pick the Disbursement Method that your taxpayer is requesting.
10. Complete all other required fields.
11. Once the return is completed e-file the return.
12. Upload any completed applications through the Refund Advantage account online.

To check the status of the Pay-by-Refund and print checks, you must sign in to your online Refund Advantage account and complete any additional steps in the Refund Advantage software.

The ProSeries client letter will not show information regarding the Refund Advantage bank product. A separate letter can be created outside of ProSeries to provide to your client about the bank product.

If you signed up to offer a Refund advance loan the taxpayer can request a refund advance loan for 2020 individual returns. Refund Advantage’s Taxpayer Advance Loan program for refund advance loans eligible up to $500 and $1000. These loans are free to the taxpayer and cost the preparer $40. This fee can be waived through a $40 rebate at the end of tax season when the loan is disbursed and IRS-funded on a FasterMoney Visa Prepaid Card. In order for your client to use a Refund advance loan, the following steps must be completed before the return is electronically filed.

1. Complete the client's tax return and clear any error messages.
2. Ensure the return is marked for e-file.
3. Enter any and all preparer fees on the Client Specific Billing Options worksheet.
4. Open the Federal Information Worksheet. 
5. Scroll down to Part VIII - Direct Deposit and Refund Disbursement Options.
6. In the Refund Advance (apply for an advance of the IRS refund) section check the Check to select Refund Advance checkbox.
   
7. Click on the QuickZoom button for the Refund Advantage Information Worksheet.
8. In State Pay-by-Refund Option section check Yes if you would like a state refund transfer to be added to the Pay-by-Refund.
   • State Pay-by-Refund can only be e-filed if a federal return is being processed with Pay-by-Refund as well.
9. Pick the Disbursement Method that your taxpayer is requesting.
10. Complete all other required fields.
11. Once the return is completed e-file the return.
12. Upload any completed applications through the Refund Advantage account online.

1. Open ProSeries.
2. Go to the Pay-by-Refund HomeBase View.
3. Highlight the client's return.
4. From the E-File menu choose Pay-by-Refund, then Refund Advantage, then Update Selected Acknowledgments.
5. Click OK.
6. ProSeries will now download the most current status from the Intuit Electronic Filing Server.

To print checks:

1. Open ProSeries.
2. From the E-file menu choose Pay-by-Refund then Refund Advantage and Website.
3. Login to Refund Advantages web portal.
4. Follow the online instructions to print checks.

If your firm is not part of a service bureau this section would not apply to your company. Only if you are part of a service bureau should you proceed:

1. From the Tools menu select Options.
2. On the left side of the screen choose Service Bureau Options.
3. While on the Service Bureau Options screen press and hold down the CTRL key, press and hold down the Shift key and press and release the S key.  This three-part keystroke will enable to Service Bureau Information fields.