RAC (Refund Anticipation Check), AR (Assisted Refund), and ERD (Electronic Refund Deposit) are tax-related products that allow tax preparation fees deducted from YOUR refund upon completion of services and the balance of the refund disbursed to you by check, direct deposit or a prepaid card. Don’t be misled by fancy marketing names (“Refund Anticipation Check”, “Assisted Refund”, "Electronic Refund Deposit") because none of these tax-related products speed up your tax refund deposit time. According to the IRS your actual tax refund will be processed within 21 days.

Refund Anticipation Loan ($1,200 known as an Income Tax Advance, Instant Tax Loan, Rapid Refund, Tax Refund Line of Credit, or Tax Refund Loan). Loan begins on December 23rd and is a loan not your actual refund.