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Early Direct Deposit of Tax Refunds
Early Direct Deposits
We all know that direct deposit is quicker than snail mail. If you are expecting a tax refund, you probably want it as soon as possible. Wouldn’t it be nice to have your tax refund earlier than the date expected given by the IRS?
The good news is that some people can get an early direct deposit of their tax refund. It depends on how you choose to have your refund sent. If you are getting a direct deposit of your tax refund, some banks will post refunds up to a few days prior to the date that the IRS indicates you will receive your refund.
Choose a bank or prepaid card
Choose a bank or prepaid card in advance or while filing your tax return. The early direct deposit refund table below helps find banks or other financial products that can process early tax refunds.
Traditional Financial Institutions (TFI)
These are typical traditional banks. Generally speaking, traditional banks do not post direct deposits early. Some do offer early deposits for payroll. A TFI typically post tax refunds on the day shown on the IRS Where’s My Refund tool or account transcript.
No Hold Bank (NHB)
These banks or financial products are called No Hold Bank (NHB) because you could receive an early direct deposit of your tax refund up to 5 days. Typically list tax refunds 1-3 days earlier than the day shown on the IRS Where’s My Refund tool or account transcript.
*It is important to know that some NHBs only post paychecks early and not early direct deposit for tax refunds.
Credit Union
Credit Union direct deposits are often shown as a pending transaction early; but, available either later in the afternoon/evening or next day.
Third Party Bank
If you chose to have fees deducted from your tax refund or used an early advance product your tax refund is typically processed by a third party bank. After they receive your tax refund it is typically sent to you the next day. In these cases adjust the deposit by 1-2 days.
Some of the 3rd party institutions will show the refund early and are noted below, but the transfer to your bank can take up to 24-48 hours.
How early do direct deposits post?
You might be wondering “how early” a direct deposit of your tax refund could be posted. Use the early deposit table below to find the timeframe for which prepaid products, credit unions and traditional banks post early. If available the approximate number of days and time is shown.
Table of Early Direct Deposits for Tax Refunds
The days and times shown below are based on what we have been told by users or by the products advertised early deposit timeframe. The times are shown “as early as” we have seen deposits released. Some have special conditions that apply to make you eligible. Also some advertise early direct deposits, but only for payroll and not tax refunds. Read the terms carefully if you sign up for any of these methods.
Most of these dates and times are considering that you paid your tax preparation fees upfront. If you selected for fees to be deducted from your refund or took an advance, these are adjusted.
How to read this table
• NHB = Banks/cards that often release tax refunds early (based on user patterns)
• TFI* = Traditional banks that may advertise early deposit but do not consistently release tax refunds early
• “Website says” = marketing claim (often payroll-focused)
• “User reported” = grapevine behavior (varies by year, fees, and timing)
Tax refunds ≠ payroll. Comments below reflect real-world experiences and may differ.
| Ally Bank | TFI* However they offer direct deposit up to 2 days before for Spending Accounts. |
| Account Now | 2 days early; ~1 pm |
| AMEX Bluebird | Up to 5 days faster for refunds received between Feb 1-29, 2024. |
| AMEX Serve | For refunds received between February 1-29, 2024, or up to 4 days faster for refunds received between March 1 – April 30, 2024 |
| Axos Bank | H&R Block Customers, 2 days early |
| Bank of America | TFI* |
| Brinks | Up to 5 days early |
| Capital One | 2 days early for payroll; User reported 4-5 days early tax refund, but users also report not early for tax refund. Toss up. |
| Card.com | Quick Pay, 2 days earlier |
| Cash App | 2 days (website says 1-5) |
| Chase Bank | TFI* The site says 2 day early. User reported 4 days early. |
| Chime | 2 days early; ~4 am although website says up to 5 day earlier |
| CitiBank | TFI* |
| Citizens | Up to 2 day early |
| Credit Union | Many credit unions offer 3 days before |
| Credit Karma | Website says unto 5 days early. Our experience is 2 days. |
| Deep Blue | Up to 2 days early |
| Emerald Card | H&R Block Customers; Paychecks Post Early; but not Tax Refunds |
| Fifth Third Bank | TFI* But the website says up to 5 days early. |
| Global Cash Card | TBD |
| Go2Bank | Up to 2 days |
| Greendot | Up to 5 days |
| Regions | Up to 2 days |
| Republic Bank | 1 day early (3rd Party Bank)*** ACH transfer to receiving accounts in approximately 8-24 hours after fee deduction |
| RushCard | 2 days early; ~8 pm CT |
| Netspend | 1-2 days early; begins ~4 pm EST; user reported 4 days early. |
| Navy Federal Credit Union | 1-2 days early; begins ~2 pm |
| PayPal Pre-Paid | 1-2 days early; ~1 – 4:00 pm; but website says up to 5 days. |
| PNC Bank | TFI* |
| Regions Bank | TFI* however website say Early Pay up to 2 days |
| Safe Credit Union | 1-2 days early |
| SoFi | 2 days early |
| Serve | 1-2 days early; website says up to 5 days |
| SBTPG | 1 day early (3rd Party Bank)*** ~8 am CT, then ACH transfer to receiving accounts in approximately 8-24 hours after fee deduction. |
| SunTrust/Truit | TFI* |
| TD Bank | TFI* |
| Truist | User reported 2 days early |
| T-Mobile Money Card | Offering up to 2 days early |
| USAA | 2 days early; deposits are made twice daily at ~ 6 am and 6 pm |
| US Bank | TFI* |
| Varo | Up to 5 days early |
| WalMart Money Card | 1-2 day early |
| Wells Fargo | 4 days early |
| Woodforest | 1 day early; ~3pm |
What if my bank or card is not listed?
If your bank or prepaid card is not listed please leave a comment below. It’s important that we try to keep this list updated.
You can get also get help in the live discussion.
The table above is an ongoing IGMR project. We are continuing to gather information from our users and verify how early they receive their tax refunds.
Please also leave a comment below if you have experienced something different or have an additional bank or product we can add. To ask others, join the live conversation and ask about early direct deposits.
Here’s a list of early deposit banks:
https://igotmyrefund.com/early-direct-deposit/
What about first horizon?
Discover bank?
Grow financial credit union
@Extra and humble: did you get your refund early with spruce?
Hi, is Discover bank a NHB? Thanks
Card is One Finance
Mywisely card wasn’t listed
Discover has early deposit. As soon as they receive notification.@Amyst:
@gerbilcorn: I have this card I hope it’s actually 5 days early like it says
Huntington Bank has 2 day early deposit
Is Discover Checking a NHB?
Is Dave a NHB?
Advantis Credit Union/Rivermark Credit Union – Although I’m a member of the former, Advantis CU merged with Rivermark CU last fall, so I’m listing both.
In any case, my Direct Deposit Date was slated for Wednesday (1/29/25) but I already got my refund direct deposited yesterday afternoon (1/27/25). Yeah, I was one of the lucky ones to get their returns accepted in one of the early “test batches,” and mine thankfully wasn’t subject to PATH.
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