Tip of the Day: Why Anticipation Loans Are Bad for You

Never sign up for a “refund anticipation loan” from an accountant. While it would be nice to get your hard-earned money back in your pocket as quickly as possible, these short-term loans can cost you big—in some cases, the fees on an anticipation loan are the equivalent of over 200 percent! Instead, file electronically and request direct deposit, and you should expect your refund in as little as two weeks. Those few weeks could save you a few hundred dollars in fees that you would have otherwise spent on a refund anticipation loan. Credit cards are never a good fix, but if you really need the money fast, most credit cards will give you better terms than an anticipation loan.