Tax refund loans, also known as RALs (refund anticipation loans), provide short-term loans to individuals based on their expected tax refund amount. The loans are repaid when the tax filer receives their actual refund. The author was unemployed and struggling financially when taxes were due. They were expecting a refund but needed money to pay bills until it arrived. A tax expert introduced them to RALs, which got them the money they needed within a week. When the refund came, it was used to repay the loan. RALs provided a lifeline to get through a difficult financial time until the tax refund arrived.