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Why are they making me pay upfront for my taxes

 
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Why are they making me pay upfront for my taxes

Maybe your refund is not enough for all of the fees.

 

 

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/charges-and-fees/help/why-can-t-i-deduct-my-turbotax-fees-from-my-...

 

If your refund is enough to cover your TurboTax fees PLUS the extra “refund processing” fee of $40 ($45 in CA) and your forms are ready then when you are in the FILE section you can choose to have your fees deducted from your federal refund by a third party bank, who will take out your fees and send you the rest of your refund after the IRS issues the refund. 

 

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.  

 

 If you can possibly pay your fees upfront using a debit or credit card, it will save you that extra fee and even more importantly, the possible aggravation and delays that are often the result of poor handling/poor customer service by that third party bank.  We see way too many instances where refunds are delayed for months when users choose refund processing. There have been lots of complaints; there are a number of things that can go wrong when you use refund processing.  I suggest avoiding that situation if at all possible.  

 

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.

 

 

What is Refund Processing Service?

 

 

How can I see my TurboTax  fees?   

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2565973-how-do-i-review-my-fees-in-turbotax-online 

**Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**
JohnB5677
Expert Alumni

Why are they making me pay upfront for my taxes

Please clarify your question.

  • It looks like you are in the online version of TurboTax.
  • You will not be charged for the software prior to filling.
  • However, if you wish to use the LIVE feature, that allows phone interaction with tax professionals it will be charged, because you can use the service prior to filling your taxes. 

Please contact us again with any questions, and provide some additional details.

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