Attorney General Lisa Madigan is alerting Illinoisans to the high cost of  tax-refund anticipation loans in this KHQA Safe Family consumer report.

Those allow taxpayers to receive instant cash based on the amount of their anticipated tax refund.

Madigan says consumers can mistake a refund anticipation loan as simply an advance on their expected refund at the time they file returns.

She says these are high-cost, short-term loans with fees that are deducted from their refund even before a taxpayer cashes it.

However, we spoke to a local tax preparer who says rapid anticipation loans can be just what some people need.

"The refund anticipation loans are a very consumer driven product. They want them and they need them. We have a lot of people who just need money very quickly for a variety of reasons. There are fees associated with the loans just like any other loan," said Owner of Liberty Tax Service in Quincy Carrie Bareis.

Owner of Liberty Tax Service Carrie Bareis says it's important to know that if you decided to get a refund anticipation loan that it is a loan.

The amount you get advanced will come out of your refund check when it comes in.

In Missouri, the University of Missouri Extension office offers free tax help through the volunteer income tax assistance program.