The 5-day rule applies when the IRS has processed and approved your refund and a date for direct deposit has been given. For example, if you go on the IRS website and the Direct Deposit is "scheduled" for "February 27th", that's when TurboTax 5 Days Early Option kicks in (Based on this example, you should receive your refund by February 22); it is not based on an assumption of when it might be ready, but rather on the actual date provided by the IRS.