How to Track Your TurboTax Refund Advance: A Comprehensive Guide
Are you eagerly awaiting your tax refund? Did you opt for a TurboTax Refund Advance, hoping for quicker access to your money? It's completely understandable to feel anxious about when your funds will arrive. This lengthy guide will walk you through, step-by-step, exactly how to track your TurboTax Refund Advance, offering insights and tips to keep you informed. Let's dive in!
Step 1: Confirm Your TurboTax E-file Status – The Crucial First Check!
Before you can even begin to think about your Refund Advance, you need to ensure your tax return has been successfully filed and accepted by the IRS. This is the most critical initial step, as the Refund Advance is contingent upon the IRS accepting your federal tax return.
Sub-heading 1.1: Logging into Your TurboTax Account
Ready to check? The first thing you should do is head over to the TurboTax website and sign in to your account.
Go to
turbotax.intuit.com Enter your User ID and Password. If you've forgotten them, utilize the "Forgot User ID" or "Forgot Password" links.
Sub-heading 1.2: Locating Your E-file Status
Once logged in, navigate to your tax timeline or the section that displays your filed returns.
Look for the status of your federal tax return. You'll typically see one of the following:
Started: You've begun your taxes but haven't filed.
E-filed: Your return has been sent electronically to the IRS.
Accepted: This is what you want to see! It means the IRS has received and accepted your return.
Rejected: The IRS found an issue with your return and sent it back. If this happens, you'll need to correct the errors and re-file before your Refund Advance can proceed.
Pro Tip: It usually takes 1-2 days after e-filing for TurboTax to display your federal return as "Accepted." Don't fret if it's not immediate!
QuickTip: Look for patterns as you read.
 |
| How To Track My Turbotax Refund Advance |
Step 2: Understanding the TurboTax Refund Advance Process
The TurboTax Refund Advance is a short-term loan, typically offered by a third-party bank (like First Century Bank, N.A., or WebBank) in partnership with TurboTax. It's not your actual refund. Instead, it's a loan based on your anticipated federal refund, with 0% APR and no loan fees.
Sub-heading 2.1: Eligibility and Approval
Did you qualify? Remember, the Refund Advance is subject to eligibility criteria, identity verification, and underwriting standards. Not everyone qualifies, and not everyone gets the maximum loan amount.
Crucially, you won't receive a final decision on your loan approval until after the IRS accepts your e-filed federal tax return.
Sub-heading 2.2: How the Advance is Disbursed
If approved, your Refund Advance is typically deposited into a Credit Karma Money™ Spend (checking) account. This account is usually opened as part of the Refund Advance application process within TurboTax.
Funds are often available very quickly, sometimes within 15 minutes of the IRS accepting your return. You can usually access these funds immediately online through a virtual Credit Karma Visa® debit card, which you can add to your mobile wallet. Your physical debit card should arrive in 7-14 days.
Step 3: Tracking Your Refund Advance and Your Full Refund
There are a few key places to monitor the status of both your Refund Advance and your total federal tax refund.
Tip: Reread tricky sentences for clarity.
Sub-heading 3.1: Checking Your Credit Karma Money™ Account
This is where your advance lands! The most direct way to track your TurboTax Refund Advance is to log into your Credit Karma Money™ account.
Go to the Credit Karma website or open the Credit Karma app.
Look for your account balance and transaction history. If approved and disbursed, the Refund Advance amount will show as a deposit.
Sub-heading 3.2: Utilizing the IRS "Where's My Refund?" Tool
While Credit Karma tracks the advance loan, the IRS "Where's My Refund?" tool tracks your actual federal tax refund. Remember, the Refund Advance is repaid from your federal tax refund, and the remainder (minus the loan and any TurboTax fees) will then be deposited into your Credit Karma Money™ account.
Go to the official IRS "Where's My Refund?" tool:
https://www.irs.gov/wheres-my-refund You will need three pieces of information:
Your Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).
Your Filing Status (e.g., Single, Married Filing Jointly, Head of Household).
The Exact Refund Amount shown on your tax return.
Enter this information and click "Submit." The IRS tool updates once a day, usually overnight.
What you'll see: The tool will typically show one of three statuses:
Return Received: The IRS has your return and is processing it.
Refund Approved: The IRS has approved your refund and is preparing to send it. This status will usually include a direct deposit date.
Refund Sent: The IRS has sent the refund to your bank. It may take 1-5 business days for the funds to appear in your account after this status.
Sub-heading 3.3: TurboTax's Own Tracking Resources
TurboTax also offers a "Where's My Refund?" tracking guide on its website. While it often directs you to the IRS tool for the most up-to-date federal status, it can provide additional context and links to state refund trackers.
Sign in to your TurboTax account and look for refund tracking links or guides within your dashboard or support section.
Step 4: What to Do If There's a Delay
Waiting for your refund or advance can be frustrating, especially if there's a delay. Here's what to do if things aren't moving as quickly as you expected.
QuickTip: Re-reading helps retention.
Sub-heading 4.1: Don't Panic Immediately
It's common for the IRS to take up to 21 days to process e-filed returns and issue refunds. If it's been less than 21 days since your return was accepted by the IRS, patience is key.
Remember that the Refund Advance is typically deposited shortly after IRS acceptance, but the full refund still follows the IRS's usual processing times.
Sub-heading 4.2: Check for Common Delay Reasons
IRS Needs More Information: The IRS may send you a letter if they need additional information to process your return. Always respond promptly to any IRS correspondence.
Errors on Your Return: If your return had errors or missing information, it could cause a delay.
Claiming Certain Credits: Refunds for returns claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) are often subject to longer processing times by the IRS due to PATH Act provisions. These refunds typically start going out in late February or early March.
Identity Verification: Sometimes, the IRS requires taxpayers to verify their identity before issuing a refund. If this is the case, you'll receive a letter with instructions.
Offset Debts: Your refund might be reduced or delayed if it's being offset to pay outstanding debts, such as back taxes, child support, or other federal or state debts.
Sub-heading 4.3: When to Contact
Contact the IRS: If the "Where's My Refund?" tool directs you to contact them, or if it's been more than 21 days since your e-filed return was accepted and you haven't received your refund, you can call the IRS automated refund hotline at 1-800-829-1954.
Contact Credit Karma/MVB Bank: For specific questions about your Credit Karma Money™ account or the Refund Advance loan itself after the IRS has accepted your return, you would typically reach out to Credit Karma or the issuing bank (MVB Bank, Inc.). Their customer support channels will be able to assist with account-specific inquiries.
Contact TurboTax Support: For general questions about the TurboTax Refund Advance program or your e-file status within TurboTax, you can visit the TurboTax Support website or community forums.
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are 10 frequently asked questions, all starting with "How to," related to tracking your TurboTax Refund Advance, with quick answers:
Reminder: Save this article to read offline later.
How to know if I was approved for the TurboTax Refund Advance? You will typically receive an email notification from TurboTax or Credit Karma once your federal tax return has been accepted by the IRS and your Refund Advance loan has been approved. The funds will also appear in your Credit Karma Money™ account.
How to check my Credit Karma Money™ account balance for my Refund Advance? Log in to your Credit Karma account through their website or mobile app. Your Credit Karma Money™ Spend account balance will be clearly displayed.
How to track my actual federal tax refund after getting a TurboTax Refund Advance? You track your actual federal refund directly on the IRS "Where's My Refund?" tool ([irs.gov/wheres-my-refund]) using your SSN, filing status, and exact refund amount.
How to get my physical Credit Karma Visa® Debit Card for my Refund Advance? If approved, your physical card should be mailed to you and typically arrives within 7-14 business days after your Refund Advance is deposited into your Credit Karma Money™ account.
How to access my Refund Advance funds before my physical card arrives? You can usually access your funds immediately online through a virtual Credit Karma Visa® debit card, which you can add to your mobile wallet (e.g., Apple Pay, Google Pay) to make purchases.
How to find my exact federal refund amount for the IRS "Where's My Refund?" tool? You can find your exact federal refund amount on the copy of your tax return filed with TurboTax. Look for the line indicating your federal tax refund.
How to contact the IRS about a delayed refund that was supposed to repay my Refund Advance? Call the IRS automated refund hotline at 1-800-829-1954, but only if the "Where's My Refund?" tool tells you to, or if it's been over 21 days since your e-filed return was accepted.
How to know what caused my TurboTax Refund Advance to be denied? While specific denial reasons aren't always disclosed, common factors include not meeting eligibility criteria (e.g., incorrect address, certain tax forms), an anticipated refund amount too low, or issues with identity verification. Check the Refund Advance offer details for eligibility requirements.
How to check my state tax refund status after filing with TurboTax? For state refunds, you need to go to your specific state's tax website and use their "Where's My Refund?" tool. TurboTax will often provide a link to your state's tool within your account.
How to ensure my refund advance and full refund go to the correct account? During the TurboTax filing process, you would have explicitly chosen to open or link your Credit Karma Money™ account for the Refund Advance. Ensure all banking information entered was accurate. The full refund, after the advance is repaid, will also go to this account.
 |
