Turbotax...
 

anybody have experience using turbotax while filing taxes as an expat? do you still file state taxes in your home state or just the federal??

I found it pretty easy to do the income tax exclusion on turbotax, and I still get $$ back due to tax credits even though I did not pay a penny in taxes...

any advice would help...

Thanks

I've been using it for 3 years and it works fine for me. I only do a non-resident State return due to having a rental property.

Typhoonpilot

The exclusion portion works fine. Now I also get to deduct (credit) some of my foreign taxes on top of the exclusion, and there is where things start to get complicated. The program doesn't do that calculation automatically, and it involves AMT and a credit on the AMT form. 'Way above my level of expertise ...



If all you have is the exclusion things should work well, though. Just make sure you are truly eligible (Pub 54). :cool:

My wife and two of my children live in Ohio, so I'm pretty much classified as a resident - even though I'm over here 330+ days. If you can file your state return online don't bother with TT's state return.

Thanks for the quick reply guys...

I did work the numbers for the state tax and I owe nothing anyway... I do own property in the US but it is occupied by family, plus I still use it as a mailing address... also does it make a difference if I use my US address as my mailing address, or do I have to actually use my actual residence here in the middle east?

Well, if you want to avoid being audited I'd use a foreign address when filing a foreign earned income exclusion.


TP

Thanks TP... just what I needed to know... guess the only thing I lose with using a foreign address is e-file...

Well, errr, not necessarily, with all respect. I do the physical presence test and use my US address. Also, if you've moved back home but are filing for the previous year (foreign country), you'd use your current (US) address. If in fact your actual residence is in Sandland I'd certainly use that. Better yet, do what your tax advisor says. Even with TurboTax I had an accountant I could talk to - now with a more complicated situation I let the gal do the whole thing. TurboTax is great, but be careful.

And never take tax or other financial advice from pilots!!! :D:D:D

thanks for the advice rotorhead...

in terms of my situation, it is fairly direct and simple, just my salary and the account it is being direct depoited into, even that I don't keep much there, I transfer everything to the states immediately... I prefered to use the US address for mail reliability and simplicity, but I will probably seek the advice of an expert just in case regarding the address issue.

I prefer to use TT cause it is reliable and simple, and even when I did get audited a few years back, they took care of everything... stressful, but got a clean bill of health...