See how much of your refund disappears when a preparer or refund product takes a fee.
Some preparers and refund products deduct their fees directly from your refund, through a refund transfer or a bank product. This calculator shows how much of the refund is consumed so you can compare it with paying the fee out of pocket or choosing a lower-cost filing route.
Enter the refund you expect, the percentage of that refund that fees represent, and any flat charges. The result is fee = refund x percent + flat fees, and net = refund minus fee. In the illustrative default, a $3,200 refund with $85 of flat charges and no percentage leaves $3,115. If the fees were instead 2% plus $85, the fee would be $64 + $85 = $149 and the net $3,051.
Two cautions. First, a preparer generally cannot base the fee for an ordinary original return on the size of the refund, so a percentage-of-refund price is a warning sign to investigate rather than a normal charge. Second, a refund transfer fee is not the same as interest on an advance, and the two should never be confused when you read a disclosure.
This tool ignores state refunds and any tax you owe. Always read the fee disclosure before you sign.
Mistakes, Scams and FAQ
How refund transfers, advance loans and refund-based fees work, what they cost you in practice and how to compare them with paying your tax preparer directly.
