Posted on 02/04/2016 11:52:55 AM PST by Oshkalaboomboom
I tried my first E-file using Turbotax a few days ago. It gave me an error right away over my wife's 2 measly pension payouts from England which total about $1400. The problem is that there is no Employer Identification Number (EIN) for the 2 funds. When we mailed in our returns this was never a problem, we always got our refunds and have never been questioned over it. I couldn't find an answer on the Turbotax website so I did a generic workaround by putting 11-111111 as the EIN. That let me efile but a day later they both bounced back. So I had to use their phone support.
The first try got me in a 50-minute queue but they took my number and promised a callback. Sure enough, in about 45 minutes I got a callback from a lady who took my info, said she would be right back and put me right back into the 50-minute queue. I hung up and tried again.
This time I was put into another 50-minute queue with no option for a callback. I eventually got an agent who took all of my information about our EIN problem, found out it wasn't in his FAQ and told me he would have to transfer me to one of the tax advisors. Instead he put me right back into the 50-minute queue.
I was using Skype to call so I just left it on hold music while I did some other work. I got another tech support lady who said our connection was weak so she was going to transfer me to one of her associates. Guess where I ended up?
So now after wasting half my day and getting nowhere it looks like I have to print out my return and mail it the old fashioned way. I still don't know what will become of the $50+ dollars they charged me to e-file but I don't want to spend another day or 2 on hold trying to find out.
I had the same problem.Call back number then put me back in more than 1 hour long line.
I believe I heard that the IRS was suspending e-file for time unknown as of yesterday. That could be your trouble.
I liked TTax years ago and continue to use it. I detest how they make you fill out worksheets to fill out worksheets to fill out worksheets, wrapped into a summary. Hate that. I just bypass all that stuff.
Just put in a number. Then explain what you did in a written statement as part of the tax return. You may get a letter from IRS, but you reported all your income properly.
I just did my taxes last weekend. I believe there’s a question toward the end of the process where they ask about foreign pensions. I don’t think you include it as a regular pension dispersal.
I’m no tax guy, but isn’t foreign earned income tax free?
Did they speak the good English?
We have filed returns by snailmail for 10 years with no number and have never had a problem. E-filing doesn't allow for clarifying statements it just bounces the return, number or no number.
If I removed her income completely I could also make it work electronically but then I run the risk of a fine for underreporting income, even though her income barely makes a dent in our total household income.
I would use line 21, other income. Be sure you converted into dollars. Also, check for questions on Schedule B, and if you need to file Forms 8938, 3520, of FBAR.
We are taxed on our worldwide earnings. If the foreign sourced income is subject to tax in the country where earned, and if there is a tax treaty between the US and that country, then you might be able to claim a credit against the foreign tax paid. I think otherwise you are on the hook.
I believe I heard that the IRS was suspending e-file for time unknown as of yesterday. That could be your trouble.
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I e-filed on the 2nd ,, haven’t gotten an “acceptance” from the IRS yet ... good to hear it’s likely just a glitch on their end.
Keep in mind that if your efile actually goes through to the federal government that you are then not allowed to send in a paper form(other than maybe as a amended return). So you might want to make sure that your efile is actually dead in the water before you file on paper.
Go back to paper. e-filing has been hacked in the past. Plus Turbo Tax has been keeping peoples records.
Bugs me to pay money to Turbo Tax for a disc because the tax system is so convoluted. I think I might go back to just printing off the forms and get my sharp pencils and big eraser out.
Whoever gets to be president I wish they will adopt Cruz’s tax plan if he doesn’t make it.
Report it in “Other Income, Not Subject to SE Tax” line 21 of 1040.
I'm only familiar with earnings in Saudi. I was considering a job over there and the recruiter told me that my income would be tax free.
My software (not TurboTax) has a special worksheet for Foreign Earnings like wages and pensions. This is a very common situation for people who work oversees and receive wages for a foreign company. There are no W-2s or 1099s. Look for a special worksheet in TurboTax. Putting in make-up FID numbers is not a good idea.
On the returns with foreign sources of earned income, my software prints FEC to the left of line 7 or 16 to indicate it is from a foreign source. There is a formal work around. Tech support is bad though.
What do you expect of vulture software?
If you work overseas and meet the requirements for being a non-resident taxpayer, then your foreign earned income up to a certain amount ($70k to $100k - I forget the amount and it changes) is exempt from taxation.
Paper file and sent in a cashiers check. NEVER put your account number in an electronic file sent to the IRS.
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