If you expect a federal refund, you may be eligible to use File & Go, which allows your tax preparation fees to be deducted directly from your federal refund. (TaxSlayer paid packages only)
To use this option:
- Your refund must be large enough to cover your filing fees and any additional service fees.
- File & Go includes a separate fee charged by the third‑party bank that processes the refund transfer.
✅ ID Requirement for File & Go
To elect File & Go, you must provide a valid, government‑issued ID. Accepted forms of ID include:
- Driver’s License
- DMV/BMV State ID
- Military ID
- U.S. Passport
ID Requirements:
- Issuer must be a U.S. state, AA, or AE.
- Citizenship status must be listed as Citizen, Resident Alien, or Nonresident Alien.
- You will need to enter the ID type, issuing state, ID number, issue date, expiration date, and citizenship.
How to Elect File & Go
- Navigate to the E‑file section using the menu on the left.
- Select the option indicating you are finished with your return and ready to file, then click Continue.
- On the next screen, choose File & Go as your refund option.
- Enter the required government‑issued ID information to complete the selection.
What Happens If the IRS Does Not Process My Refund?
If the IRS does not issue your refund and the bank cannot collect your tax preparation fees, we reserve the right to deduct the fees from the account listed in your Refund Agreement.
You can review the full terms of this policy in the Refund Agreement located in your account under the Review section.
If You Owe on Your Federal Return
If you have a balance due to the IRS, File & Go is not available.
You must pay your preparation fees up front using a debit or credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover).
If you do not have your own card, you may use:
- A family member’s card
- A friend’s card
- A prepaid debit card
At this time, no alternative payment method is available when taxes are owed.
Accepted Forms of ID (For File & Go Users)
As part of the File & Go setup, the following forms of government‑issued ID are accepted:
- Driver’s License
- DMV/BMV State ID
- Military ID
- U.S. Passport
Your ID information is used to validate your identity and ensure your refund can be routed to the correct account.
Where to Find the Refund Agreement
- If you have already filed and used File & Go:
The Refund Agreement is located in the Federal Section → Review tab. - If you have not yet filed:
You will see the Refund Agreement during the e‑file steps when selecting File & Go.
Why is There a Different Bank Account Listed on my State Return?
When you elect to pay TaxSlayer using your tax refund through File & Go, you may see a different bank account listed on your state return's PDF. The unrecognizable bank account is Santa Barbara's (SB) account. The IRS/state will first deposit your refund into the third-party Santa Barbara account, SB will then take the fees out of your refund to pay us, then direct deposit the remaining amount of your refund into your bank account.