Where to check your refund advance status depends on which lender you used
A refund advance loan (also called a refund anticipation loan or RAL) is money a lender gives you before the IRS sends your tax refund. The lender gets repaid directly from your refund when it arrives. To check where your money is, you need to know which lender issued the loan — not the tax preparation company you filed through.
Most tax preparation chains (H&R Block, Jackson Hewitt, Liberty Tax) partner with specific lenders. When you took out the advance, you should have received loan documents with the lender's name, your loan number, and contact information. That's your starting point. If you can't find those documents, call the tax preparation company you used — they can tell you which lender funded your advance.
Once you know the lender, you can check status through their website, by phone, or sometimes through the tax preparation company's portal. The method varies by lender, and so does how often status updates.
Key Takeaways
- Your refund advance was issued by a specific lender, not by the IRS or the tax preparation company, so you must contact that lender to check status.
- Look for your loan documents or call the tax preparation company you used to find out which lender funded your advance and get their contact number.
- Most lenders let you check status online using your loan number and personal information, or by calling their customer service line.
- Status updates depend on whether the IRS has sent your refund to the lender yet — the lender can see this but cannot speed it up.
- If your refund has been delayed by the IRS, the lender's status page will show that, and you may need to contact the IRS separately to resolve it.
Finding your lender's contact information and loan number
Your loan documents should include a loan agreement or disclosure statement with the lender's name prominently displayed. This document also contains your loan number — a unique identifier the lender uses to pull up your account. Keep this number handy; you'll need it to check status by phone or online.
If you filed through H&R Block, Jackson Hewitt, Liberty Tax, or another chain, log into your account on their website or mobile app. Most tax preparation companies display your loan status in your account dashboard, along with the lender's name and a link to check status directly with the lender. Some also show an estimated date when the lender expects to receive your refund from the IRS.
If you can't locate your documents or your account, call the tax preparation company's customer service line. Have your Social Security number and the year you filed ready. They can confirm which lender issued your advance and provide you with that lender's phone number and website.
Checking status online through the lender's website
Most refund advance lenders maintain a status portal on their website. To access it, you'll typically need your loan number and either your Social Security number or date of birth. The portal shows whether the lender has received your refund from the IRS and, if so, when the funds were deposited into your account.
The status page usually displays one of a few states: "Pending" (the IRS hasn't sent the refund yet), "Received" (the lender got your refund and is processing it), or "Completed" (the loan has been repaid and any remaining refund has been sent to you). Some lenders also show the date they expect to receive your refund, based on IRS processing timelines.
If you see a status you don't understand, the lender's website usually includes a help section or FAQ. If not, call their customer service line — the number is on your loan documents or on the status page itself.
Checking status by phone
Every refund advance lender has a customer service phone line. The number appears on your loan documents and on their website. When you call, have your loan number and Social Security number ready.
A representative can tell you whether your refund has arrived at the lender, when the loan will be repaid, and when you can expect any remaining refund balance. They can also answer questions about fees, the repayment timeline, and what happens if your refund is smaller than expected. If there's a problem — for example, your refund was delayed or reduced — they may be able to explain why and tell you what to do next.
Phone wait times vary. Calling early in the morning or mid-week often means shorter waits than calling in the afternoon or on Mondays and Fridays.
What the status page actually tells you
A refund advance lender can only see what the IRS has sent them. They cannot see inside IRS processing or speed up your refund. What they can tell you is whether the IRS has transmitted your refund to them yet.
If your status shows "Pending" weeks after you filed, it usually means the IRS is still processing your return. The IRS typically processes returns within 21 days of receipt, but some returns take longer — especially if they include certain credits, require verification, or were filed on paper. The lender's status page may show an estimated receipt date based on when you filed and the IRS's current processing speed.
If your status shows "Received" but you haven't seen the money in your account, the lender is processing the repayment. This usually takes one to three business days after the lender receives your refund. If more than three business days have passed, call the lender to confirm the money was actually deposited.
What to do if your refund is delayed
If the lender's status page shows your refund is still pending weeks after you filed, the delay is on the IRS side, not the lender's. The lender cannot push the IRS to process faster. You'll need to check your refund status directly with the IRS.
Go to IRS.gov/refunds and use the "Where's My Refund?" tool. You'll need your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount from your tax return. This tool shows the actual status of your return in the IRS system — whether it's still being processed, held for review, or ready to be sent out. If the IRS has flagged your return for verification or correction, this tool will tell you that too.
If the IRS tool shows your return is delayed or held, you may need to contact the IRS directly. Call 1-800-829-1040 (the main IRS line) or visit your nearest IRS office. Bring your tax return, ID, and any documents the IRS requests. The IRS can tell you specifically why your return is delayed and what you need to do to move it forward.
What happens if your refund is smaller than the advance
Occasionally, the IRS sends a refund smaller than the amount you borrowed. This can happen if the IRS reduced your refund due to unpaid taxes, student loans, or child support, or if you made an error on your return that the IRS corrected.
When this happens, the lender uses your refund to repay the loan first. If your refund is smaller than the loan amount, you owe the lender the difference. The lender will contact you about repayment — usually by mail, email, or phone. Some lenders allow you to set up a payment plan; others require full repayment within a set timeframe.
Check your loan documents for the lender's policy on shortfalls. If you're unsure, call the lender and ask what happens if your refund is less than expected. It's better to know before it happens.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often does the status page update?
Most lenders update status once or twice daily, usually in the morning. Some update only when they receive new information from the IRS. If you checked yesterday and saw "Pending," checking again today may show the same status — updates depend on IRS transmission speed, not the lender's refresh rate.
Can the lender speed up my refund?
No. The lender can only wait for the IRS to send your refund. They cannot contact the IRS on your behalf or push your return to the front of the line. If your refund is delayed, the delay is happening at the IRS, and you need to contact the IRS directly to find out why.
What if I lost my loan number?
Call the tax preparation company you used (H&R Block, Jackson Hewitt, etc.) with your Social Security number and the year you filed. They can look up your loan and provide the lender's name and contact information. You can also call the lender directly with your Social Security number and date of birth; they can pull up your account that way.
Why does the lender's status page say "Received" but I haven't gotten the money?
The lender received your refund from the IRS but hasn't finished processing it yet. This usually takes one to three business days. If it's been longer, call the lender to confirm the deposit went through. Occasionally, deposits are delayed due to banking issues on the lender's end.
Can I check status on the IRS website instead?
The IRS "Where's My Refund?" tool shows the status of your tax return, not your loan. It tells you whether the IRS has sent your refund out, but not whether the lender has received it. For loan-specific information — like when the lender will repay the advance — you must check with the lender directly.