Yes, the "tip" is related to preparation and meant to help you, the taxpayer, get the most tax benefits by recommending the order of preparation of your tax returns. The reason for the recommendation of non-resident returns to be prepared first, is that some states give residents "credit" for taxes paid to other states. Therefore, TurboTax recommends (not requires) that non-resident returns be prepared first in case a taxpayer's resident state will give credit for taxes to be paid to other non-resident states.
Also, please note that TurboTax does not allow state returns to be FILED before the federal return. And, if the federal return is filed separately from the state, the state returns cannot be filed until the federal return is accepted by the IRS. See more information below:
https://ttlc.intuit.com/replies/5269973
