Is it necessary for a 70 year old to pay up front or from their refund

[xmasbaby0]

Your age has nothing to do with whether you owe tax or when you need to pay the tax.  What are you really trying to ask?  Are you trying to figure out if you should be paying quarterly estimated tax?

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901110-do-i-need-to-make-estimated-tax-payments-to-the-irs

[DoninGA]

If you are referring the TurboTax online account fees you can either pay with a credit card or if you have a federal tax refund have the account fees paid from the tax refund and the $40 service charge for that option.

However, if you are eligible you can use the TurboTax Free File Program available in mid-January.

IRS Free File Program - https://apps.irs.gov/app/freeFile/
If you are eligible you can use the IRS Free File Program delivered by TurboTax which is free to file both a federal and state tax return. The IRS Free File Program delivered by TurboTax edition is a full featured personal tax program and on a separate website from the TurboTax online editions.

To qualify for free 2020 federal and state tax returns with the IRS Free File Program delivered by TurboTax, you'll need to meet at least one of these requirements:

• A maximum 2020 adjusted gross income (AGI) of $39,000; or
• You qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC); or
• You served as active duty military (including Reservists and National Guard) with a maximum 2020 AGI of $72,000 (you'll also need a military-issued W-2).

See this TurboTax support FAQ on the Free File Program - https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/choosing-a-product/help/what-is-the-turbotax-free-file-program/00/...

See this TurboTax support FAQ for the difference between the Free File Program and the Free edition - https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/choosing-a-product/help/what-s-the-difference-between-free-file-pr...
And see this TurboTax support FAQ on how to switch to the TurboTax Free File Program - https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/downgrading/help/how-do-i-switch-to-turbotax-free-file-program/00/...

[Critter-3]

If you use a paid version of the TT program (no matter what your age) then you have the choice to pay upfront  OR  use the refund processing service for an extra fee.  But to file the fee must be paid in some fashion.

Now do you really   need a paid version ???

If you qualify  AND   if you wait until mid January  THEN you can use one of  the 10 IRS FREE FILE options to file a fed & state return for free ... but you must be patient.    https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free

IRS Free File: Closed until January 2021

IRS Free File is closed for the 2020 tax season. Check back in January for Filing Season 2021 opening details.

For Filing Season 2021, you must make $72,000 or below to use IRS Free File partner offers.

[xmasbaby0]

Or.....are you asking about how to pay your TurboTax fees?  Again---not sure why you mention your age.  

If you choose to pay from your refund it will cost you an extra refund processing fee of $39.99 ($44.9 in CA).  You avoid that fee if you pay your TT fees upfront.

And.....maybe you could use one of the free versions of the software that becomes available in mid-January:

If you qualify to use it, there is another full-featured free version of the software:

Try Free File: 

You qualify if your income was $39,000 or less, or $72,000 or less if active duty military, or if you qualify for Earned Income Credit

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1900583-what-is-turbotax-free-file-program

• https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2026912-how-do-i-switch-to-turbotax-free-file-program

Note:  If you do not qualify to use Free File then you will have to upgrade to Deluxe or higher in the paid versions of the software.   

Online Deluxe $40  State software $40

Or—-Use this IRS site for other ways to file for free

https://apps.irs.gov/app/freeFile/