What services am I paying for??

[kymc411]

How can the IRS just pick someone (me) at random to verify their identity, especially at an office TWO hours away from me, in the winter time when I don't even drive? And because they are holding my refund, I get an email from turbotax for payment for processing my return, a payment  for almost $400, 2 DAYS before Christmas?! They say they are doing me a courtesy... wow! Tell me again what service I am paying for??

[xmasbaby0]

The IRS can require anyone to verify their identity---sometimes for a reason triggered by something on the tax return and sometimes even at random.   TurboTax has no control over that.

I HAVE TO VERIFY MY IDENTITY

Sometimes the IRS chooses returns randomly to request verification of identity and sometimes there is something on the return that triggers the request.  No matter why the IRS has required you to verify your identity, you need to follow their instructions in order to receive your refund.  If you do not verify your identity you will not get your refund.

https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tips/security/tips-for-handling-identity-verification-requests-from-...

https://www.irs.gov/identity-theft-fraud-scams/identity-verification-for-irs-letter-recipients

Did you choose to have your TurboTax fees deducted from your federal refund?  Is your refund taking an unusually long time to arrive?  Or was your refund seized to pay a debt you owed? if so, you signed an agreement that says TT can withdraw its fees from your account.  TurboTax would have sent several emails to you before they took the money out of your account.

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901364-why-was-my-bank-account-auto-debited-for-turbotax-fees

Turbo Tax says......

We understand that these are unprecedented times and we’re committed to helping our customers who are experiencing hardships. If you’re in need of assistance, call us by the Tuesday prior to your debit date at 1-888-808-1723 to speak with a trained specialist and mention “auto-debit”, or visit TurboTax Support.

How can I see my TurboTax  fees?   

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

[Critter-3]

Sometimes it is simply a random pick  ... one of the Enrolled agents I work with was picked for an ID check even though he had been filing returns professionally for more than 40 years.