"The direct debit option is not available to you."

[phil917]

I'm trying to pay my federal tax amount for 2020 but I keep seeing this message: "The direct debit option is not available to you." I saw a few older posts saying to wait until January 7th for some tax forms to be issued but I'm still unable to pay via direct debit?

I don't think I've done anything different this year compared to previous years in terms of how I used TurboTax. Maybe the only difference is I owe a pretty substantial amount this year due to my business. 

Any solutions to this?

[Critter-3]

Ok ... until ALL the forms in your return are ready to file the "pay with refund" option will not be presented. Look back in the Federal Review section  in the Federal tab to see what you are still waiting on.

Next ... why spend an EXTRA $45+ for that service if you don't have to ???    The IRS will not start processing returns until the very end of January at best and mid February if you have EIC on the return so you have time to save up and pay upfront.  If you don't have a credit/debit card to make the payment then you can buy one almost anywhere for $5  and put enough money on the card to pay the TT fees and then you can use the same debit card to receive the refund.  Many have posted that CHIME is a good company to use ... google prepaid debit cards for more info.

ATTENTION !!!  ARE YOU ELIGIBLE FOR ONE OF THE IRS FREE FILE OPTIONS ???

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 one of the 10  IRS Free File partner offers.

[phil917]

I'm fine with paying upfront, that's what I'm trying to do. I just don't see a way to do that in TurboTax right now using direct debit or a credit/debit card.

[Critter-3]

Ok ... well until the return is ready to file you don't have to pay ... the price will not go up until early March so there is no rush.  This is normally done in step 1 of the FILE tab.  

Option B :   

To view your entire return using the online editions (including the state) before you file, you will need to pay for your online account.

To pay the TurboTax online account fees by credit card, without completing the 2020 return at this time, click on Tax Tools >>> Tools  and then Print Center.  Then click on Print, save or preview this year's return.  On the next page, to pay by credit card, click Continue.  On the next screen it will ask if you want Audit Defense, if you do not want this option just click on the Continue button.  The next screen will ask for all your credit card information so you can pay for the account.

[cgbessellieu]

I'm also running into this issue. It also says "the IRS hasn't finalized one or more of your forms". So, I'm assuming once that's complete I can e-file and pay direct deposit? I've already paid TurboTax for the service.

[Critter-3]

Once your return clears the review tab you can continue thru the FILE tab to efile the return.  

[JLP1976]

If your objective is to pay some of you tax liability now, I suggest you look into the Electronic Federal Tax Payer System (EFTPS). After you set up an account and link a financial institution, it is a convenient way to pay estimated taxes. The IRS website also has an electronic payment system. I prefer EFTPS, so I don't have to put in the banking info each time.

[Jacquelyn4]

It's saying the same for me. How do I see if my tax documents are "finalized?"

[DaraLO]

Are you printing and mailing your return? Direct Debit is only available to those who want to pay their IRS taxes and are e-filing their return.

As an alternative, you can use the IRS's Direct Pay service, which lets you pay your taxes directly out of your checking or savings account—just like direct debit. 

References:

What is direct debit and how does it work?

Can I use direct debit to pay the IRS even though I'm not e-filing?

@Jacquelyn4