ERO RESOURCE CENTER

Loan & Advance Guide

Learn who receives the funds, when each option is used, and which bank makes the final approval decision.

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Explore the options

Select a category to compare the available programs.

Who receives the money? The ERO or tax office. This is business funding and is not a taxpayer refund-advance loan.
Santa Barbara TPG

ERO / Office Loan

PRE-SEASON OFFICE FUNDING
Range$3,000 to approximately $67,800
BeginsOctober 2
HistoryGenerally 85%+ funding rate and more than 50 funded clients have been important historical factors.
ApprovalSubject to underwriting. The bank makes the final decision.
Refund Advantage

Tax Office Loan

PRE-SEASON OFFICE FUNDING
Starting amountApproximately $2,000
EligibilityBased on office funding history, volume and other bank criteria.
PricingReview the current Refund Advantage offer and funding agreement.
ApprovalSubject to underwriting. The bank makes the final decision.

SBTPG estimated office-loan fee

Use the stated per-$1,000 schedule to estimate the fee. This is not an approval or final bank quote.

Estimated fee will appear here.
Who receives the money? The ERO or tax office receives part of anticipated preparation fees before all fees would normally be paid.
Santa Barbara TPG

Simply Paid

AdvanceUp to 70% of anticipated tax-preparation fees
Stated maximumUp to $339,800 under the program terms discussed
Fee1.5%
ApprovalBank eligibility and underwriting apply.
Refund Advantage

Fee Advance

AdvanceUp to 50% of anticipated tax-preparation fees
PurposeHelps the office access earned preparation fees earlier.
PricingReview the current Refund Advantage enrollment materials.
ApprovalBank eligibility and underwriting apply.
Who receives the money? The taxpayer. The loan is based on the anticipated tax refund and is subject to bank approval.
Refund Advantage

Taxpayer Refund Advance

Range$250 to $7,500
No-cost tiers$250, $500 and $1,000
Interest tiers$1,250 to $7,500 at a stated 36% APR
ERO program feesStated $34.95 pre-acknowledgment marketing fee and $75 post-acknowledgment fee.
Santa Barbara TPG

Fast Cash Advance

MaximumUp to $7,000
Program datesJanuary 2 through March 12
Pre-ack feeStated ERO fee of $79.90
Post-ack feeStated ERO fee of $39.95
This is not a loan. It is a faster-disbursement option for an eligible taxpayer whose refund has already funded.
Santa Barbara TPG

Fast Forward

BenefitEligible taxpayer may receive funds approximately five days sooner.
Taxpayer cost$25
ERO incentive$5 per eligible return after 10 or more funded returns.
Incentive timingStated payment by July 15.
Important Distinction

Advance vs. Faster Disbursement

Refund advanceA bank loan made before the taxpayer's refund is received.
Fast ForwardA paid delivery option after an eligible refund has funded.
ApprovalEligibility and availability are determined by the bank and program rules.
ERO / Office LoanBusiness funding paid to the tax office, generally before or near the beginning of filing season.
Preparation-Fee AdvanceEarly access to part of the office's anticipated tax-preparation fees.
Taxpayer Refund AdvanceA loan to the taxpayer based on the anticipated tax refund.
Pre-acknowledgmentBefore the IRS acknowledges the electronically filed return. Post-acknowledgment means after acknowledgment.
Important: This guide is for general education and does not guarantee approval, funding, timing, eligibility or final pricing. Product names, amounts, dates, fees and terms may change. Each bank makes its own underwriting and approval decisions. Review the current bank enrollment documents and disclosures before presenting an option to a taxpayer or relying on it for business funding.