3FUND is being replaced by EPS for 2025 tax year

This is a notification letting everyone know that we will no longer have 3FUND as a banking option moving forward.  3FUND was a cheaper bank product option offered through SBTPG.  3FUND is now being replaced by EPS which is exact same product as 3FUND, but way more benefits for the same price.  EPS and Refund Advantage are both owned by Pathward.  You will be eligible for the exact same benefits through EPS that you would normally receive from Refund Advantage with this new product.

New benefits you receive over 3FUND include:

1. Eligibility to receive preseason loans for your business
2. Higher overall acceptance rates on preseason / in-season loans for your clients
3. Taxpayer Loan Costs -> $0 - $1,000 loans @ No Cost to taxpayer --- loans over $1,250+ 36% APR
4. December Loyalty Program
5. Receive 50% of prep fees before they are funded
6. Much more..

Here is a much more detailed explaination of fee breakdowns

Taxpayer Advance Loan Program
Amounts: $250 - $7,000

NO Cost Loan: $250, $500, $1,000
Interest-Based Loans: $1,250 up to $7,000 @ 36% APR up to 60 days vs TPG’s 120
days
Pre-Acks: Available Jan 2

ERO Marketing Fees:
o $34.95 Direct Deposit/Check (in-season)
o $0.00 if loaded on a Faster Money Card (in-season)
o $75.00 Pre-Ack/All Disbursements (DD, Check, FMC)

In-Season Fee Advantage Requirements:
o Available 1st day of IRS Ack
o Receive 50% of prep fees up to $300 per TP
o $4 per fee advance (lowest cost in the industry)
o Prior Year bank funding history of 15 funded fed RT’s ($2,001+ in fees earned)

December Loyalty Program
o Part of the Pre-Season ERO Loan Program
o Starts Dec 1st
o Max amount of $500 loaded on the Faster Money Visa Prepaid Card
o *can use this same card to get the TP Advance Loan, and RT Funding

ERO Loans (loan for your tax business)

Pre-Season Start Up Requirements:
o Starts Oct 17th
o Prior Year bank funding history of 51> funded fed RT’s/$10k in fees earned
o At least 80% funding percentage
o 1.9% per $1,000 per month until repaid
o Funds sent ACH once accepted

IRS will no longer send checks directly to TaxPayers anymore

This is a reminder that the IRS is no longer issueing paper checks to Taxpayers for their IRS Tax Refund.  This means that your clients can only receive their tax refund by direct deposit.  If you client has to receive their refund by a paper check, the only option you will have is to use a Bank to allow you to print the check in your office.

For the official newsletter from IRS here is a direct link: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-to-phase-out-paper-tax-refund-checks-starting-with-individual-taxpayers

If you already offer bank products, then you already have the tools to offer your clients a printed check in your office.  However, if you have never offered bank products this is something you should strongly consider at least having as an option for your clients this coming tax year.  There is never a fee to you, the ERO, for signin up to offer this service to your clients.

We strongly recommend if you want the cheapest possible bank to use to offer this service to your clients, we highly recommend our new EPS banking partner.  To enroll with them, simply log into your account on https://surefiretaxsoftware.com and click on Billing/Products, then make sure you are on TaxYear 2025 and you will see option for "Submit Bank Application"

If you ever have questions feel free to send a direct email to support@surefiretaxsoftware.com