From Walking In to Money in Your Account:
How Long Does a Tax Advance Take?
“Same day” gets thrown around a lot in the tax advance world, and even payday lenders say it. What they don’t do is tell you exactly what same day means, which steps take how long, what can slow things down, and what you need to do to make it happen as fast as possible.
Here is the exact TaxShield same-day process, step by step, hour by hour. Because when your rent is due Friday, and it’s Wednesday afternoon, you need to know if this actually works in your timeframe, not a vague promise.
TaxShield Service offers a same-day tax refund advance in Memphis, TN. Call (901) 582-8910 to start your same-day process in Memphis, TN.
The Complete Tax Refund Advance Process & Timeline: From Walk-In to Deposit
Below is the step-by-step process and the timelines it takes to get a tax refund:
Step 1: Pre-Qualification - 2-5 Minutes
Call (901) 582-8910 or fill out the online form. We ask your expected refund amount, filing status, and whether you have a bank account.
The result: Instant pre-approval for up to $7,000. No credit check. No hard inquiry. Just a straight answer.
Pro tip: Do this before you drive to our office. Know your approval amount before you leave home.
Step 2: Document Preparation - 15-30 Minutes (at home)
What to gather before your visit:
- Government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, state ID, passport)
- Social Security card or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN letter) for every person on the return
- All W-2 forms from every employer this year
- All 1099 forms (freelance, unemployment, interest, dividends)
- Bank account info (routing and account number for direct deposit)
- Prior year tax return (if you have it speeds up the process)
If self-employed, also bring: income records, business expense records, mileage log, equipment receipts.
Step 3: Tax Preparation Appointment - 60-120 Minutes
First 15 minutes: Check-in, document review, fee quote. You’ll know your exact preparation fee and advance fee before we touch your documents.
Next 45-90 minutes: Your certified tax professional enters all income, reviews every deduction and credit, calculates your exact refund, and explains everything before you sign.
Final 15 minutes: Review and sign your completed return. We e-file immediately upon your signature.
What makes this faster:
- Bringing complete documents (no back-and-forth)
- Having the prior year return (pre-fills key information)
- Calling ahead to pre-qualify (we can prepare before you arrive)
- Visiting Tuesday-Thursday (shorter wait than Monday or Saturday)
Step 4: IRS E-File Submission - Immediate (Seconds)
The moment you sign, we transmit your return electronically to the IRS. E-filing is instant; your return is in the IRS queue within seconds of submission. You receive a transmission confirmation showing your return was sent.
Step 5: IRS Acceptance - 15 Minutes to 24 Hours
This is the step most companies don’t explain. The IRS runs validation checks before accepting your return: Social Security number verification, dependent claim verification, income verification against employer filings, and identity verification flags.
Time of Filing | Typical Acceptance Time |
Early morning (8 am-10 am) | 15-60 minutes |
Business hours (10 am-4 pm) | 2-8 hours |
Evening (4 pm-8 pm) | 8-16 hours |
During peak season (Feb-Mar) | Up to 24 hours |
EITC Filers: The IRS accepts your return the same day, but holds the REFUND until February 27th due to the PATH Act. Your advance is triggered by acceptance, not refund release. You can get your advance in January even with EITC.
Step 6: Advance Processing - 30 Minutes to 2 Hours After Acceptance
Once the IRS confirms acceptance, TaxShield processes your advance. The amount is confirmed, bank transfer initiated, and confirmation sent via text and email.
Step 7: Bank Deposit - Instant to 4 Hours After Processing
Bank | Typical Deposit Time |
Chime, Cash App, Varo | Instant to 1 hour |
Regions, Bancorp South | 1-4 hours |
Wells Fargo, Bank of America | 2-4 hours |
Chase, SunTrust/Truist | 2-4 hours |
Credit Unions | 2-6 hours |
Smaller local banks | Up to the next business day |
Pro tip: Chime, Cash App, and Varo process ACH transfers immediately rather than holding funds.
Tax Refund Advance Timelines Summarised in a Table
Below is a summary table of the tax refund advance process:
Step | Time Required | Your Action |
Pre-qualification | 2-5 min | Call or fill out the form |
Document gathering | 15-30 min | Gather at home |
Tax preparation | 60-120 min | Sit with the preparer |
E-file submission | Instant | Sign your return |
IRS acceptance | 15 min – 24 hrs | Wait for the notification |
Advance processing | 30 min – 2 hrs | Wait for confirmation |
Bank deposit | Instant – 4 hrs | Check your account |
Total: Best case | ~3 hours | |
Total: Typical case | ~24-36 hours | |
Total: Slow case | ~48 hours |
How to Fasten the Tax Refund Advance Process
Below are tips to speed up the tax refund advance process.
Do This Today:
- Pre-qualify right now: Call (901) 582-8910. Get your approval amount in 2 minutes.
- Gather ALL documents tonight: Use the checklist above. Every missing document adds time.
- Schedule for early morning: First appointments = fastest IRS submission = fastest acceptance.
- Use a Chime, Cash App, or Varo account: Instant ACH processing vs 2-4 hours for traditional banks.
Avoid These Common Delays:
- Showing up without all documents: We have to stop and wait
- Saturday afternoon walk-ins: Longest wait times of the week
- Forgetting Social Security cards: Required for everyone on return
- Not pre-qualifying first: Adds 30 minutes to your appointment
Real Timing Scenarios
Scenario 1: The Wednesday Emergency
Rent is due Friday. Need $3,500 by Thursday, 5 pm. Wednesday 10 am: Call (901) 582-8910, pre-qualify. 11 am: Arrive with all documents. 1 pm: Return prepared and e-filed. 2 pm: IRS acceptance. 4 pm: Advance processed and wired. 6 pm: $3,500 in your Chime account. Thursday 9 am: Rent paid. Crisis averted.
Scenario 2: The Friday Pressure
Utility shutoff notice for Monday. Need $750. Friday 9 am: Walk in. 11 am: Return e-filed. 11:15 am: IRS accepts (early season). 12:30 pm: Shield Advance processed. 3 pm: Money in your bank. 4 pm: Utility paid. Monday shutoff cancelled.
Scenario 3: The Weekend Wait
Filed Saturday afternoon. A traditional bank may hold until Monday morning. Note: If you need money Saturday night, use Chime, Cash App, or Varo. These processes immediately regardless of weekend timing.
What Happens If IRS Rejects Your Return?
An IRS rejection (different from a TaxShield denial) is usually a data-entry issue that can be fixed in under 2 hours. We identify the rejection reason immediately, contact you with the specific issue, correct it, and resubmit within 1 hour, and the advance is processed the same day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'same day' mean I get money today?
It can, yes, if you file in the morning, the IRS accepts quickly, and you have Chime, Cash App, or Varo. For traditional banks, ‘same day’ means 24-36 hours from when you file.
What time do I need to file to get money today?
File before noon for the best chance of same-day deposit. IRS acceptance is faster in the morning, and bank processing needs time before the close of business.
What if I file on a Saturday?
You can get your advance processed on Saturday, but traditional banks often hold Saturday ACH transfers until Monday morning. Digital banks (Chime, Cash App, Varo) process immediately.
What if the IRS takes 24 hours to accept my return?
Your advance processes within 2 hours of IRS acceptance. If acceptance takes 24 hours, your total timeline is approximately 26-28 hours from the filing date.
Will you contact me when my advance is deposited?
Yes. You’ll receive a text and email confirmation when your advance is processed and another when the deposit is confirmed.
What if I need money faster than 24 hours?
Call (901) 582-8910 and explain your situation. We can sometimes prioritize same-day processing for urgent situations.
For clients ready to break the payday loan cycle, reaching out directly allows our team to assess your situation and fast-track solutions tailored to your immediate needs.