topic Does the $40 refund processing fee apply to paper checks? in Get your taxes done using TurboTax

Does the $40 refund processing fee apply to paper checks?

Skiouting — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 09:55:59 GMT

Turbo's choice to employ a third party is their expense. I will not pay their subsidiary to do Turbo's job. I am cancelling my return. Adios Turbo.

Re: Does the $40 refund processing fee apply to paper checks?

DoninGA — Wed, 17 Jan 2024 23:27:52 GMT

The only time the $40 refund processing service fee is assessed is if you use the option to have the TurboTax account fees paid from the federal tax refund. The tax refund has to be direct deposited, so in no way would the fee be assessed if you were having the refund mailed to you as a check.

Re: Does the $40 refund processing fee apply to paper checks?

VolvoGirl — Wed, 17 Jan 2024 23:32:57 GMT

You don't have to pay the Extra $40 Refund Processing Service charge (45 in California). That's only to have the fees deducted from your refund. Pay the fees upfront with a credit card to avoid the extra charge. And that way you can get the refund however you want either as a check or directly to your bank without going though the 3rd party bank. It may come faster too.

Remove Pay with Refund fee

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/downgrading/help/how-do-i-remove-pay-with-my-refund-fees-in-turbotax-online-and-change-my-payment-method/00/25880

Re: Does the $40 refund processing fee apply to paper checks?

Skiouting — Sat, 20 Jan 2024 13:41:44 GMT

Thank you, I eventually figured that out. Turbo fails to make that clear. They recommend 3rd party intervention, i.e. Credit Karma or their fee paid from your refund. They encourage you to read the terms and conditions without simply stating that there is a hefty fee to pay for Turbo from your refund. This option has always been free so many customers are upset to see the fee tacked onto their bill. I spent more time figuring out how to EFile and avoid that fee than I did on my taxes. Paying with a credit card is the solution but even that isn't obvious as the fee remains on your invoice until AFTER you agree to pay. PLEASE, DO BETTER TURBO.

Re: Does the $40 refund processing fee apply to paper checks?

xmasbaby0 — Sat, 20 Jan 2024 14:19:50 GMT

"This option has always been free so many customers are upset to see the fee tacked onto their bill. "

If you have been using "refund processing" in past years --- you have been paying that $40 fee every time. Maybe you just did not notice. That $40 refund processing is not new. If you choose to pay TurboTax by having the fees deducted from your federal refund, you have been paying an extra fee to the third party bank for years.

Re: Does the $40 refund processing fee apply to paper checks?

sm4821 — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 20:47:54 GMT

So it's okay to risk our refunds with the US Mail, where checks are stolen everyday?? I've used direct deposit with you for decades and I've NEVER paid a fee! $40 is just ridiculous!!! I've used your product for decades and I guess I'll be finding another company instead. Whoever decided to add this fee needs to be FIRED immediately because this is REALLY a poor business model!

Re: Does the $40 refund processing fee apply to paper checks?

DoninGA — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 20:55:47 GMT

The pay the TurboTax account fees with federal tax refund that has a service charge of $40 was optional.

You could have still paid the TurboTax account fees with a credit card and have your tax refund direct deposited with no further charge.

See this TurboTax support FAQ for removing the pay with refund fee - https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/intuit-account-billing/remove-pay-refund-fees-turbotax-online-change/L7UxC6ZZp_US_en_US?uid=lthphd5r

Re: Does the $40 refund processing fee apply to paper checks?

BillyMile — Wed, 29 Jan 2025 05:00:30 GMT

I was almost stuck with this $40 fee and happy to do so for convenience. What stopped me? The software would not allow me to print the agreements, arbitration, "fine print" to pdf. It became super glitchy and would only print blanks. Coincidence...?