EAL BASICS
What are the TS27 Emerald Advance application dates?
Answer: November 2 through December 30, 2026.
The December 30 end date is important because it moved up from December 31.
For Married Filing Jointly applicants, what information is no longer collected?
Answer: The spouse's date of birth.
A client insists that their credit freeze does not matter and tells you to submit the application anyway. What should you do?
Answer: Explain that the credit freeze must be addressed before the application can proceed. The client manages the freeze through Experian.
What document should every client receive when they walk into one of our NYC offices?
Answer: The Consumer Bill of Rights Regarding Tax Preparers.
After assisting an EAL client, what additional opportunity should every Tax Pro look for?
Answer: Secure the client's TS27 tax appointment. Internal guidance emphasizes using EAL to build relationships and move clients into tax-season appointments.
True or False: Checking whether a client qualifies for Emerald Advance impacts the client's credit score.
Answer: False.
Current EAL FAQs state that there is no impact to credit from applying.
What replaced the spouse DOB question for MFJ applicants?
Answer: A question asking whether the applicant wants to include their spouse's income. Spouse income remains optional
How long can an incomplete EAL application remain open?
Answer: 25 days.
After 25 days, an incomplete application is denied. Incomplete applications remaining when the offer period expires on December 30 are also denied after that date
True or False: Financial Product Compliance and EAL require two completely separate Learning@Block curricula this year.
Answer: False.
EAL training is incorporated into the Financial Product Compliance curriculum
True or False: We should focus only on completing the EAL application quickly.
Answer: False.
Associates should connect with the client, understand their needs, verify application information, and create the tax-season relationship.
What APR should associates clearly explain when discussing Emerald Advance?
Answer: 35.9% APR.
True or False: Atomic remains the backup if online income verification through Plaid fails.
Answer: False.
Atomic is no longer the fallback. If the client cannot connect their bank account through Plaid, they are prompted to schedule an office appointment.
True or False: A Tax Pro should promise a client approval if their income appears high enough.
Answer: False. Never promise approval.
Question: What are the four required compliance documents/signs that must be displayed as part of NYC tax preparer requirements?
Answer: Identification & Qualifications, Fee Schedule/Pricing Sheet, Required Disclosures, and the Consumer Bill of Rights Regarding Tax Preparers.
A client asks, "Do you think I'll get approved?" What is the best response?
Answer:
"I can't guarantee approval, but I can walk you through the application, the possible outcomes, and make sure the information we enter is accurate."
The key behavior is never promising approval.
What is the Emerald Advance loan range that should be marketed to clients?
Answer: $400 to $1,750.
A limited test population may see offers up to $2,000, but associates should market Emerald Advance as up to $1,750. [Compliance | OneNote], [EAL emerald | OneNote]
What new option do clients have when applying for or reissuing an Emerald Card during the application?
Answer: The client can choose their own 4-digit PIN on the companion monitor. [Compliance | OneNote]
If a client cannot successfully complete online income verification through Plaid, what happens?
Answer: They are prompted to book an office appointment.
A client situation requires Flip to Paper. What must happen to the signed documents?
Answer: The required signature packet must be retained appropriately and scanned into Work Center, and the client must receive their applicable documents.
Before submitting an application, what should the associate do with the information entered?
Answer: Verify that the information entered in the application is accurate.
What account does every EAL applicant need before completing the process?
Answer: A MyBlock profile/account.
DAILY DOUBLE
Question:
Name FOUR TS27 EAL changes.
Answer
Any four:
A client wants to repay an EAL outside the tax event. Name one approved way they can make a payment.
Answer: Depending on their account, they can use the applicable Emerald Card or Spruce support/payment process, or send a check or money order payable to Pathward following the published instructions.
Name three types of activities that require proper financial-product compliance training.
Answer: Examples include:
SCENARIO
A client comes in for EAL, is anxious about money, and keeps asking whether they will be approved.
What are the four things you should do?
Winning answer: