This time of year, Americans' thoughts turn to tax returns. Increasingly, however, more taxpayers are looking at their refunds as a new kind of payday advance.

Sometimes called "Refund Anticipation Loans," these loans amount to cash advances granted to people expecting money back from the government. Giant tax-preparation firms such as H&R Block have become major "lenders" of these advances, which have gained big-time popularity in recent years.

Before you go jumping in, however, consider the consequences. First there's the interest: customers may pay anywhere from fifty to five hundred percent on these loans. Then there are the fees: H&R Block, for example, charges over sixty dollars for a refund payday loan of three thousand dollars.

Above all, keep one thing in mind -- Refund Loan applicants are essentially signing over their refunds to their tax preparer. Bottom line: if you can afford to wait for your money, you might want to do just that.

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