I just thought I was applying for the advance and clocked in the link, logged in, completed the questions, paid the fee and then nothing.

[xmasbaby0]

Refund advance loans are not available from TurboTax at this time.   TurboTax’s loan program typically starts in January and ends in mid-February.   The loan has to be offered to you when you are ready to e-file, and you have to agree to have your refund put on a credit karma card.  You do not receive any money until your e-file has been accepted by the IRS—-and the IRS will not begin to accept e-files until at least mid to late January.

[VolvoGirl]

So come back in mid January to finish your return and submit the efile.  Only you can file it.  If you already paid the fees then you locked in the current price.  

You can submit your efile in Turbo Tax but it will sit on Turbo Tax servers until the IRS starts taking them in  late January.  How to efile
https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/electronic-filing/e-file-personal-indivi...

[xmasbaby0]

And.....you  need to prepare a complete and accurate tax return to e-file.   Employers will not have W-2's issued until sometime in January.   If you are self-employed, you may need 1099NEC's from clients--which also will not arrive until sometime in January or later.    Banks and financial institutions do not issue 1099's until January or February.   Lenders issue 1098's in January.   Schools issue 1098T's in January....etc. etc. etc.-----It seems highly unlikely that your 2023 tax return could be ready to file at this time, since tax year 2023 is not even over yet.   You have to wait until you have all of your tax documents and information gathered together to enter on your 2023 return in order to e-file.   The IRS will not begin to accept returns until later in January.    IF you get a refund advance loan, you will not receive any money until the IRS accepts your e-file.