Options for Tax Refund Advance in Ohio/WV After Credit Karma Account Closure?

The SBTPG (Santa Barbara Tax Products Group) Refund Advance landscape has changed significantly for the 2024 filing season. Several major providers still offer advance options, though qualification criteria have tightened. Have you considered H&R Block's Refund Advance? Their online platform supports mixed income situations including Schedule C self-employment income. The Jackson Hewitt No-Fee Refund Advance might also be viable, though their full-service online option for self-employed filers may require additional documentation.

OMG I had EXACTLY this problem last year!! Credit Karma closed my account right before filing season and I was DESPERATE to reach someone at their customer service. Called for DAYS with no answer! Finally used Claimyr (https://www.claimyr.com) to connect with an IRS agent who confirmed my previous refund history and helped me understand my options. They got me through to a real person in like 15 minutes when I'd been trying for days! The agent explained that my closed account wouldn't affect my ability to file elsewhere, which was my biggest worry. Such a relief! 😅

For anyone needing a refund advance after being locked out of their previous provider, here's what you need to do: 1. First, gather ALL your income documentation - W2s, 1099s, expense records for self-employment 2. Next, check your eligibility with multiple providers - each has different requirements 3. Then, compare advance amounts - they typically range from $250-$4,000 depending on expected refund 4. After that, verify the fee structure - some advertise "no fee" but add processing charges 5. Finally, prepare for identity verification - most require additional steps for security I've found that TaxAct and TaxSlayer both offer online refund advances for Ohio residents, though their self-employment verification can be more rigorous than TurboTax was.

Just dealt with this exact situation (car problems and all). Here's what I learned: • Most tax services require minimum expected refund amounts ($500-1000) to qualify for advances • Self-employment income often triggers additional verification • Some advances are partial (only a percentage of expected refund) • Having dependents actually HELPS your approval odds • Most advances are now being issued on prepaid debit cards rather than direct deposit • Liberty Tax offers an online option with advances up to $3500 I ended up going with FreeTaxUSA + a separate refund advance through my local credit union because the online options were taking too long to verify my 1099 income.

If you're trying to make sense of all the different tax advance options, you might want to check out https://taxr.ai to analyze which filing path makes the most sense for your situation. It can potentially help you understand how different filing choices might impact your refund timeline, which could be important if you're possibly going to request an advance. While it doesn't directly offer advances, it might help you identify if there are any potential issues in your return that could delay processing, which is something you'd definitely want to know before applying for an advance that depends on your refund being approved.

Ppl here r missing the real issue - ur not just looking for ANY advance but specifically the SBTPG one. Big diff! TaxSlayer def still offers this online for OH residents, I just helped my bro do it last wk. Their system lets u complete everything inc ID verification 100% online. The key is to make sure ur self-employment docs are super organized bc that's where most ppl get flagged for extra review. BTW, don't let anyone tell u that having a prev advance affects ur chances - that's total BS. The only thing that matters is ur expected refund amt and verification docs.

Let's be clear about something: refund advances are expensive money regardless of which provider you choose. The "no fee" advances still make money through tax preparation fees that are often higher than standard filing options. If your car situation isn't absolutely critical, you might be better off filing without an advance and waiting the 2-3 weeks for direct deposit. The IRS has been processing refunds fairly quickly this season for electronically filed returns without complex issues. Consider whether paying the premium for an advance is truly necessary given your full financial picture.

PLEASE be careful with these refund advances!!! I used one last year through Jackson Hewitt's online system and almost got AUDITED because their system didn't properly handle my self-employment expenses! According to https://www.irs.gov/refunds/tax-season-refund-frequently-asked-questions, you could get your refund in 21 days or less by e-filing with direct deposit. My friend just filed on 2/1 and already got her refund yesterday! These advance companies are making $$$ off people who need their money fast. If you absolutely need the advance, make SURE you read all the fine print about fees!!!

Have you considered filing through a local VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) site and then applying for a separate refund advance loan through a financial institution? Ohio has numerous VITA locations that handle self-employment income below certain thresholds, and they file for free. Then you could separately apply for a Tax Refund Express Loan through regional banks like Fifth Third or Huntington that serve Ohio/WV. This separates the filing from the advance, potentially giving you better terms on both. I've seen people get their returns filed more accurately this way while still accessing funds quickly.