Does it mean my refund is done being processed and approved if it says “payment completed “ on turbo tax for the fees?

[dowdellkenya]

I opted for my turbo tax fees to be taken out of my federal refund, it states payment completed, does that mean my refund was approved and on its way?

[xmasbaby0 · Accepted solution]

No.   TurboTax never knows if the IRS has processed your tax return and sent your refund.  TurboTax does not get any information after you file your return.

First, check your e-file status to see if your return was accepted: 

https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tools/efile-status-lookup/

 If accepted, they try to process it within three weeks but it can be longer.  if you have earned income credit or additional child tax credit, it will be at least the end of February before you see your refund, due to the PATH act that requires that they hold your refund longer.

Once your federal return has been accepted by the IRS, only the IRS has any control.  TurboTax does not receive any updates from the IRS. Your ONLY source of information about your refund now is the IRS.

You need your filing status, your Social Security number and the exact amount  (line 34of your 2020 Form 1040) of your federal refund to track your Federal refund:   

https://www.irs.gov/refunds

To track your state refund:    

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1899433-how-do-i-track-my-state-refund

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901548-why-do-some-refunds-take-longer-than-others

If you chose to have your TurboTax fees deducted from your federal refund, that will take some extra time, while the third party bank handles the refund processing.

https://www.irs.gov/refunds/tax-season-refund-frequently-asked-questions

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2840013-does-accepted-mean-my-refund-is-approved

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2724106-my-return-is-accepted-but-still-not-approved-is-there-a-pr...

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/3397970-path-act-delayed-refunds-for-some-filers

[dowdellkenya]

Ok, thank you! 

[Jonana84]

That answer doesnt make any sense to me.. Only because when I did my taxes I opted for TT to take the payment for filing out of my federal refund.. They can only get that payment from my federal refund of my taxes were processed and approved.. If it wasn't processed and approved how did TT get their payment?

[MichelleLO]

When you opt to have your TurboTax fees deducted from your refund, your refund is handled through the Santa Barbara Tax Products Group (SBTPG, formerly SBBT). For more information, see Who provides Pay With My Refund?

@Jonana84

[jordankoza]

Okay, so by your definition right there of the bank group handling the fees from the refund, logically that would lead to the assumption that the refund should be on its way soon... Not to mention TPG and IRS are saying nothing is updating properly. But for it to be marked paid when the fee is supposed to come out of the refund doesn't that imply it's been paid by the refund?

[JeanneLO]

If you opted to have your refund paid from your fees please contact SBTPG for status. The information you were provided by @MichelleLO was just general information. TurboTax does not have a current status on your refund.

@jordankoza

[cathyday123]

It seems like the specialist can't give a straight answer. I filed and accepted 2/10. Nothing is moving in stbg or irs warmer. Right when my 21 days was up and they sent me an email saying ty I notice my status went from pending to paid. I have search this and from what I gathered they are just finishing up on their end. Closing out their paperwork but still waiting on confirmation from the bank for the refund fees to drop. Hopefully soon for the both of us. 

[SForrestLO]

@cathyday123

If you have filed your taxes, you will need to follow up with the IRS.  Turbo Tax will not have a status on your refund. If the IRS website says processing, this means they are working on it.

Please use this link to track your refund from the IRS

Tax Season Refund Frequently Asked Questions

[Jennyleefitz]

I think TT updates automatically to “payment completed” once the 21 days is up. More than likely it has nothing to do with TT actually getting their payment from the IRS.   I am in the samw

boat, status changed to completed but still no refund. 

[TerukoL]

When you file the return successfully and you choose to pay the fees from your federal refund, the TurboTax program considers the fee paid even though the federal refund has not been released.  

Please click the following links to learn more about paying your TurboTax fees:

Who provides Pay With My Refund?

What is Refund Processing Service?

[Monique_08]

I don’t believe this is true. My 21 days isn’t up and TT updated to payments completed 

[Tenille2]

Did you ever receive your refund I see you replied two weeks ago 

[Tenille2]

It seems like these so called “specialists” can’t even give correct information,everyone’s story is different smh 

and the 21 days has NOTHING to do with it! I’m WELL PAST 21 days and I just received “payment completed” 

Also if y’all are saying sbtpg handles it,TurboTax had to have received “something” to update to “payment completed”

[Jennyleefitz]

I did get my refund and the IRS app updated prior to payment received.