Refund/payment options for customers without a bank account

Some TurboTax customers get stopped in their returns because they:

• Don't have a bank account to receive their refunds via direct deposit, so they select Refund by Check

AND/OR

• They don't have a credit card to pay TurboTax fees with

If you find yourself in either or both of the situations above, here are some explanations and suggestions.

You can have the price of TurboTax deducted from your tax refund. This requires the use of direct deposit, which means you need a financial account of some kind to take advantage of this option.

Here’s why: The IRS sends the money to a third-party bank processor, University National Bank of Saint Paul, MN, who provides refund transfer services. University National Bank of Saint Paul, MN subtracts the money owed to TurboTax, as well as a processing fee -- and then routes the remaining balance of your refund to your direct deposit account.

You may have a prepaid debit card on which you occasionally “load” money on. If so, you can use that card to receive a refund and process your payment by deducting costs from your refund. This is because your debit card has a routing and account number, which you’ll need to enter into TurboTax. Keep in mind, the debit card information needs to be associated with your address.

Even if you don't have a prepaid debit card already, TurboTax still has you covered.  We offer the TurboTax Refund Card as a way to get your refund in as few as 7 days (if you e-file).  This prepaid Visa debit card can be used everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted - including online, for paying bills, and at ATMs.

One more thing: you may have heard that having your refund direct deposited into someone else's financial account is an option. However, be aware that many banking institutions will only accept a direct deposit from the IRS if the name on the refund matches the name on the account. If the bank rejects the deposit, the IRS will instead send out a check, possibly delaying your refund.