I write that headline half jokingly, because while rich people don't take out these loans, you almost have to be rich to afford them. You'll see lots of ads in the coming months of tax season, and they may sound like easy, quick money. Keep in mind that you pay a fee for these loans, and that means less money from your tax return. And by lending standards, those fees amount to an interest rate that's through-the-roof expensive.

If you can hold off about 10 days (that's how long it will take to get your refund), you can file electronically with the IRS. And it's a better deal, because there are no fees.

With a refund-anticipation loan (RAL), you will pay anywhere from $30 to $100 in fees. May not seem like a lot, but figure this: Let's say that fee is about 12 percent of your total refund. A 10-day loan at 12 percent is about 500 percent per year. Bad credit card interest rates are usually 20 percent annually, or APR. That puts RALs right up there with payday loans for some of the priciest loans you can find. Another concern with these loans: they may offer to give you a refund based solely on your W-2. That will be an estimate at best. If they are wrong, you are on the hook with the IRS. Nice column in the Washington Post has more on this.