Instant money is always nice, when you get a gift, or see your name on the state's unclaimed property list .. or maybe you're lucky enough to win the lottery ... but NOT when we're talking about your tax return. Some commercial tax preparers, like H&R Block, entice people by offering an instant refund. Hear an offer like that and you assume it means you can get your government check immediately. You can't. What you get is the equivalent of a loan. Your return is prepared. Your refund is computed, and what happens essentially is, you get a cash advance .. and, like at any bank or lending institution, there are fees attached. In other words, it'll cost you to get an instant refund, and it could be a lot. Make sure you know exactly what an instant rebate will cost. Ask. It could be a lot and worth waiting the few weeks for your government check.