We are nearing the end of the Holiday Season’s high demand period that coincides with the beginning of Tax Season.  Many CAB Consulting clients and TOFSC Members offer Tax Preparation services, and some will be doing it for the first time this year.   I know many who are ready to get after it so let’s go!

Here are some things every business needs to know about 2020’s Tax Prep Season:

• IRS is expecting more than 150 million tax returns expected to be filed.
• W2’s are already going out, all must be out by end of January.
• Tax filing season is Monday January 27th through Wednesday April 15th.
• Refund advances are happening already.
• Expect heavy loan payoff trends to start mid-February.  
• In 2019, we saw largest payoff week of entire year fall on the week of February 24th to March 2nd which was the exact week when the Earned Income Credit consumers got their refunds and paid off.
• Earned income credit / additional child tax credit – consumers who seek these credits will get their refunds later.
• In 2020, this means that refunds for these consumers will not happen before February 15th.  In, 2019 it was February 27th so it is good that it is 12 days sooner.
• This is the 4th year where there has been a delay on tax refunds for those where the “PATH Act” applies (Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act). 

With the key information above you should be able to forecast where loan volume will go, when demand will wane, etc.  The Tax Prep market is very competitive but if you are committed it is a nice way to expand services to your existing customer base and grow an attractive additional revenue stream for your business.  If you have interest in adding these services, reach out to CAB Consulting for assistance!

This blog post was written by Michael Brown, President of CAB Consulting and the Texas Organization of Financial Service Centers.  He can be reached at 214-293-8676, or Michael@CreditAccessBusiness.com.