What is a Refund Anticipation Loan (RAL)?

A Refund Anticipation Loan (RAL) is an agreement where a taxpayer borrows money from a lender, typically a bank or financial institution, based on the amount they expect to receive as a tax refund. This type of loan allows the taxpayer to access their anticipated refund more quickly than waiting for the IRS to process their return and issue the refund.

When the taxpayer applies for a RAL, the lender evaluates the tax return and the expected refund amount. If approved, the taxpayer receives funds that are then repaid when the IRS issues the actual tax refund. This is often appealing for taxpayers who need immediate access to funds for various expenses but want to avoid waiting for the IRS’s processing times.

The other options misinterpret the nature of a RAL. For instance, some describe it as a way to cover the preparation costs or as a loan directly from the IRS, which isn't accurate as RALs are specifically based on the anticipated refund amount from a legitimate tax return filed with the IRS.