I am near the end of my return and ready to file but I am getting a msg saying the option to pay for turbo tax with my refund is not yet available. Why? When can I?

[xmasbaby0]

REFUND PROCESSING

Do you mean you want to pay your TurboTax fees from your federal refund?   If your federal refund will be enough to pay the software fees AND the extra $39.99 refund processing fee to have a third party bank process your refund then when you go through the Review section  and next  when you are in the FILE section you will be able to make that choice.  Please make note that if your refund takes too long to arrive (IRS delays, etc.) then you will also be agreeing that the TurboTax fees can be extracted from your bank account even before your refund is issued by the IRS.  This comes as an unpleasant shock to many people every year.   It is better to pay for the software upfront using a credit card than to face the extra $39.99 fee and the possibility of the fees coming out of your account at a very inconvenient time.

And....you can never pay state tax due from a federal refund, so do not expect that.   The state tax due has to be paid directly to your state.

[macuser_22]

In addition, the IRS will not even accept returns until Jan 24 when 2021 filing opens.

[jacquelynselph]

I have been using Turbo Tax for 7 years now filing self employment every year and never had any issues. I have always had the option available to choose to pay the fees from my refund but it keeps telling me that it isnt available yet to do that. I am just wondering why that option "isn't available yet" and when it will be available. I do my daughter's taxes as well and hers is giving me the same notification at that step where you choose how to pay.

[xmasbaby0]

Go to the Review section and click "Review"----if you are waiting for any forms at all you cannot progress to the FILE section where you can choose pay with refund.   And.....since the IRS will not begin to accept e-files until January 24, you do not have to be in a rush to e-file.