- 4.7 Stars From 64 Google Reviews
- Open Saturdays 10–4
- File In Person or Fully Virtual
- Year-Round Help, Not Just Tax Season
- Nonprofit & Church Specialists
For a lot of Cincinnati families, the tax refund is the biggest check of the year. It pays down a car note, catches up the gas bill, or covers school clothes. So how you get it, and how soon, matters. Different refund options have different costs and different wait times. We lay them out side by side before you choose, so the choice is yours and the fees are clear.
When You Need to Choose a Refund Option
You pick a refund option every time you file and expect money back. It matters most when you do not want to pay the prep fee out of pocket, when you do not have a bank account, or when you need the money for a bill that is already due.
Speed starts with how you file. The IRS page on getting your refund faster with direct deposit says e-filing with direct deposit is the fastest way, and that more than nine out of ten refunds go out in less than 21 days. You can even split a refund into as many as three accounts, like checking, savings and a retirement account.
Our Tax Refund Options
The simplest choice is direct deposit to your own bank account, with our fee paid at the visit. If you would rather not pay up front, you may be able to have our fee taken out of your refund when it arrives. People without a bank account can choose a prepaid card when that option is offered, or a check. In some seasons, a refund advance is available to people who qualify. It is a short-term loan based on your expected refund, and it is not available every year or to everyone.
Any option that runs through a bank can carry its own fee. We explain every fee and when the money should land before you sign anything.
City Refunds Come Separately
Your federal, Ohio and city refunds come from three different places on three different timelines. That surprises people who work from home but have Cincinnati tax withheld because their office is downtown. If you live outside the city, a nonresident refund for your work-from-home days comes from Cincinnati on its own, not with your IRS money. We tell you which refunds to watch for and roughly when.
Tax Refund Options Cost in Cincinnati
Direct deposit with the fee paid at your visit costs nothing extra. Options that take the fee from your refund, load a prepaid card or offer an advance may add a bank or processing charge, and those charges change by season. We go over the full cost of each choice before you pick one, so the amount that reaches you is clear.
Why Choose Us for Tax Refund Options
Refund options come up often in our Google reviews. We have prepared returns in Cincinnati since 1993, and we stay open after April to answer the question that comes up every year: where is my refund? Come in on North Bend Road Monday through Saturday, or file fully online.
New to our office? Start here for Cincinnati tax filing and see everything we prepare.
Common Questions
How can I check on my federal refund?
Use the IRS Where's My Refund tool. You will need your Social Security number, filing status and the exact refund amount. We can also look up your status with you if you call us.
Will choosing a refund advance make my refund bigger?
No. An advance only gets part of your expected refund to you sooner. Your refund amount is set by your return, not by how you choose to receive it.