You cannot get a refund advance until you have completed your tax return, filed it and had it accepted by the IRS. The IRS usually does not begin accepting returns until late in January. You can only get it if TurboTax offers it to you at the time you are filing your return.
You should never complete and file a tax return until you receive your W-2. Employers are not required to send out W-2s until Feb. 1.
Refund advance loans are not available from TurboTax at this time. TurboTax’s loan program typically starts in January and ends in mid-February. The loan has to be offered to you when you are ready to e-file, and you have to agree to have your refund put on a credit karma card. You do not receive any money until your e-file has been accepted by the IRS—-and the IRS will not begin to accept e-files until at least mid to late January.
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.