Anchor Lead: I'm Kristin Arnold with Bankrate.com. Every year, millions of Americans take out loans on their tax refunds...and every year tax preparation companies rake in millions in interest and fees. These controversial loans haven't escaped the notice of consumer advocates...and now Uncle Sam is weighing in.

Voiceover 1: Tax preparation services want your business ... and do lots of things to get it. They advertise ... some even stand by the road and flag you down. And nearly all offer refund loans: short-term loans secured by your impending refund check. Most consumer advocates hate them.

SOT: "People end up paying much more than they could and much more than they should to get their own money back. Triple digit interest rates."

Voiceover 2: Tax Preparation companies make many many millions in interest and fees on these low-risk loans...so it's not too surprising when they defend them.

SOT: "They gotta have their money now. They just insist having their money now. And until the IRS starts giving them their money in two days, they're going to make this a salable product."

Voiceover 3: Over the years, this bitter debate has been the source of everything from picketing to lawsuits.

Voiceover 4: And the IRS is finally taking notice. There's a proposal now on the table that will keep tax preparers from furnishing taxpayer information to the banks that make these loans. That would essentially mean the death of the refund loan.

Voiceover 5: That proposal, however, is still far from a done deal. The period for public comment ends in April, with a decision due some time there after.

Standup: In the meantime, if you're considering a refund anticipation loan, be aware of two things: first, you could be paying an exceedingly high interest rate to borrow your own money. Second, with electronic filing, you can get your refund in a week. Isn't that rapid enough? For Bankrate.com, I'm Kristin Arnold.