Rapid tax refunds are received, as their name implies, almost instantly if you file with a tax preparer that provides a rapid tax refund service. Rapid tax refunds do not come without some penalties, however. The trade-off to instantly receiving your money is that, more often than not, a fee ranging from $20-$120 is tacked on. The fee is in place due to the fact that the preparer is in actuality loaning you the money until they receive the actual refund check from the IRS. As alluring as instantly getting your refund may seem, it may be smarter to file online, select the direct deposit option, and wait the 2-3 weeks without having to deduct from your return.