Emerald Advance® Loan
You could get up to $1,500
Available Nov – Dec
For people who could use some extra funds at the end of the year.
You could be eligible for a COVID-era penalty refund. File your claim before July 10. Learn more
More tax services
Your tax appointment
International
Spruce
Spruce is an all-in-one mobile banking app by H&R Block to help you manage your money.
Bank products by Pathward®, N.A., Member FDIC.
Small business taxes
Form your business
Tax articles
Our mobile apps
Learn how OBBBA changes taxes for individuals, families, and businesses.
From everyday expenses to getting through tax season, there are loan options available at H&R Block to help you thrive.
Loans by Pathward®, N.A. Terms apply.
You could get up to $1,500
Available Nov – Dec
For people who could use some extra funds at the end of the year.
You could get up to $4,000
Available Jan – Mar
For people who file with an H&R Block tax pro and need money before their refund arrives.
|
|
Emerald Advance® Loan |
Refund Advance loan |
|---|---|---|
| Loan Type |
Loan TypeFixed-rate short term loan |
Loan TypeNo-interest loan |
| Max loan amount |
Max loan amountUp to $1,500 |
Max loan amountUp to $4,000 |
| Availability |
AvailabilityNov – Dec |
AvailabilityJan – mid-March |
| Repayment due |
Repayment dueIn full by March 31 |
Repayment dueUpon receipt of refund |
| Repayment methods |
Repayment methodsOnline, Phone, Tax Refund, Mail |
Repayment methodsAutomatically deducted from tax refund |
| Annual Percentage Rate (APR) |
Annual Percentage Rate (APR)35.9% APR |
Annual Percentage Rate (APR)0% APR |
| Fees |
FeesLate fee if not paid in full within 14 days of due date |
FeesNo late payment fee |
| Loan funds deposited to |
Loan funds deposited toEmerald Card® or Spruce account |
Loan funds deposited toEmerald Card® or Spruce account |
| Lender |
LenderPathward®, N.A. |
LenderPathward®, N.A. |
If approved, loan funds will be deposited to your Spruce account or loaded on your Emerald Card.
Spruce fintech platform is built by H&R Block, which is not a bank. Spruce℠ Spending and Savings Accounts established at, and the Spruce debit card and the H&R Block Emerald Prepaid Mastercard® are issued by, Pathward®, N.A., Member FDIC, pursuant to license by Mastercard®. Mastercard and the circles design are registered trademarks of Mastercard International Incorporated. Additional fees, conditions, and terms apply to how you use your Emerald Card or Spruce account. Consult your Cardholder Agreement or Spruce Spending Account Agreement for details.
The two loans are repaid in different ways.
For Emerald Advance Loans, you can:
For Refund Advance, repayment is handled through your tax refund.
Yes, for both the Emerald Advance Loan and Refund Advance loan, Pathward®, N.A. (the lender) will evaluate both credit and non-credit information. However, there is no impact to your credit to apply for either loan.
The amounts vary between the two loans.
In 2025, approved Emerald Advance Loan borrowers typically received between $350 and $1,500.
In 2026, approved Refund Advance loans were issued in one of six amounts: $250, $500, $750, $1,250, $2,500, $4,000.
The Emerald Advance Loan is typically available November through December, with repayment due in full by the end of March.
The Refund Advance loan is generally available early in tax season, usually from early January through February or mid-March. Repayment is due upon receipt of your refund.
The Emerald Advance Loan has an APR of 35.90%. A late payment fee is assessed if the loan is not paid in full within 14 days of its due date — the account will be charged a $30 late fee and continue accruing interest.
The Refund Advance loan is a 0% APR loan, so there is no interest and no loan fees.
Fees for other optional products may apply.