Can you apply for the refund advance before you get your W2’s?

No, you cannot get a Refund Advance from TurboTax without your W-2 forms because you cannot file your tax return until you have your W-2s. A Refund Advance is only available when you actually file your tax return in January or the first half of February.

This year (filing 2023 tax returns) a Refund Advance will be one of the options on the screen where you select how you want to receive your refund. You apply for the Refund Advance by selecting that option when you file your tax return. See the following FAQ for more information.

What is Refund Advance?

No. you must e-file your return which must be accepted and be due a refund. you apply but Turbotax decides on whether to grant the refund advance. 

And…..do not try to prepare a tax return without ALL of your income documents; you must include every 2023 W-2 on the same tax return.  Employers have until the end of January to issue W-2’s.   Wait until you have all of your W-2’s.