Here's a hack how to pay for professional tax prep services using your future refund, while avoiding any interest or fees.

Here's a hack how to pay for professional tax prep services using your future refund, while avoiding any interest or fees. No need to borrow from friends or family, either:

No, I'm not proposing using a time machine.

If you're tight on funds, this is a great strategy to be able to use the services of a pro to guarantee the best outcome for you.

1) First off, if you're expecting a refund, the IRS typically issues most tax refunds within 21 days for taxpayers who file electronically and choose direct deposit.

2) Secondly, use a credit card to pay your accountant, optimally on the first day of the credit card billing cycle. 

So, if you paid your accountant on day 1 of your billing cycle, you'll have:

- 28 to 31 days until the end of the billing cycle

- Plus 21 to 25 days of grace period

- Totaling approximately 50 to 55 days to pay without incurring interest.

Paying on day 1 of the billing cycle will give you a leeway of 29-34 extra days, besides for the original 21 days the IRS normally takes. 

If your accountant requires payment before starting work, let's take off 7 days for tax prep, assuming a light workload and waiting list. 

That leaves you with a leeway of 22-27 extra days to receive your refund in time to pay your credit card bill. In case of a manual review of your return, this will give you some more time.

3) Thirdly, find an accountant who has a lighter workload and can work with you to get your tax prep done quickly so that you'll have as much leeway as possible. 

Let them know about your plan so they could accommodate you. 

4) Lastly, make sure you have a backup plan in case your refund is unexpectedly delayed due to a manual review, ID verification or audit. 

Borrowing from a friend or family member at 0% interest is always better than paying credit card interest. 

If they know that you have a good plan how to repay them, such a loan should not be too difficult to procure.

Note that refunds can be delayed for many months in some instances, so be aware of the risk involved.

Make sure to check with your credit card issuer to find out what is the first day of your billing cycle, and the exact amount of days you'll have before interest starts accruing.

Be sure to set reminders to pay up your credit card bill with part of your tax refund, and on time.

Make sure you're not already carrying a balance on the credit card you're using, because if there is, interest will accrue immediately with no grace period.

Someone who's very risk averse can modify this strategy and apply for a 0% APR credit card. These cards give you 12-21 months to pay, without accruing any interest. That gives you a ton of room in case of an IRS review of your refund.