It’s really not easier at all, and people should stop saying that. Which is why this thread is mostly about turbo tax and their bank delays with deposits. If you have the money to pay it upfront you should. I understand most do not, so they have no other options. There’s no middle man when you pay upfront. The refund is sent from the IRS to your bank. The refund goes thru several different institutions when you do not pay upfront, and then to you causing numerous delays. I want my refund to come directly to my account with as little stops in between as possible. But like I said most may need to go that route and that’s fine.
