Here are the instructions that TurboTax provides for people who want to pay for their product in advance to lock in the price:
To get the discount now on federal and state products:
- Sign into TurboTax and open your return.
- In the left menu column select File.
- Next to Step 1, select Start.
- Review the order details.
- Scroll down and select View Payment Options.
- To lock in state and federal-level pricing, under Payment method, select Credit Card.
- NOTE: Users may purchase additional states or products later at current pricing.
If you do that, then of course, after completing the payment, do not continue on in that filing section. After paying, get out of the File section and go back to the return interview.
If that doesn't work for you, there is another way to pay in advance that we can tell you about by going to the Print Center.
Also, here's more info about your lack of a W-2. Some large employers or payroll services providers have a website where employees can download their W-2; you'd have to ask your employer. Also some employers/payroll services are import partners with TurboTax. If yours is, then you might be able to import the W-2 into TurboTax, but often you need something from the actual W-2 to perform the import. But I'll provide this FAQ anyway for your information:
FAQ: Will I be able to import my W-2 before I get it in the mail?
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/forms/help/will-i-be-able-to-import-my-w-2-before-i-get-it-in-the-...
also see the following:
FAQ: What if it's February but I still don't have my W-2?
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/income/help/what-if-it-s-february-but-i-still-don-t-have-my-w-2/01...
