A TurboTax refund advance is a short-term loan that will provide you access to the cash sooner than the state tax agency or IRS can get it to you. If you get approved, you will get a lump sum onto a debit card, or it might be deposited in the bank account on the same day. With this, you will get half your refund amount easily. When the state agency or IRS distributes the refund, the lender will get repaid the amount you have borrowed, and the remaining will be sent to you.