Free File fillable forms

The Free File fillable forms site went live yesterday. My tax situation is relatively "simple" and I complete my own return every year but this is the first year I have tried using fillable forms in order to save on postage.

I hit my first problem almost immediately... the foreign postal code field on the 1040 only accepts numbers, not alpha characters! Yes, that's the FOREIGN postal code field, not the zip code field!

Does anyone have any experience using fillable forms in previous years? I assume this is just a mistake they've made on this year's form. I've reported it to them but wonder if anything will be done about it.

Interestingly, I used Free Filable Forms 2 years ago, but came up with the same post code issue last year. I emailed via the link provided, and got a standard answer telling me to follow the instructions (something I had already tried...if the agent had READ the email before replying, he would have known this). So tried again to no avail.

I ended up using the forms to fill out the return, printed with the post code blank, filled in with a pen, and mailed the return. I was visiting family in the US in March anyway, so just took it along and sent from there. We had no US tax due, and it was a simple filing.

Thanks for that. Doesn't sound like there's much hope of them fixing it then. I guess it will be a trip to the Post Office. I always send it by international signed for just to be safe... was hoping to save the £8 this year!

I received the following response from the IRS, with the usual niceties...

"Enter five zeros in the Foreign Postal Code area"

I added my postcode onto the county and entered 00000 in the Foreign Postal Code field as they suggest. I've just e-filed, so just waiting for acceptance email now.

Some disadvantages with the free fillable forms are that they will not explain when it is better to claim foreign tax credits instead of the foreign earned income exclusion; how to report employer contributions to a UK pension plan, interest in an ISA, UK dividends, UK unit trust and investment income and may not support enough pages for Form 8938.

The good news is that they do work and support many of the frequently required forms, including Schedule B and Form 8965. FBARs still need to be filed separately with FinCEN.

Doesn't seem like fillable forms is going to work for me after all. I've had some XML errors back by email (can't believe they present error messages to the public in this format!) the latest of which, translated into plain English by this site says:

"If you are taking a credit for other foreign taxes paid or accrued in Part II, box n, then you must attach a statement identifying these taxes. One of the limitations of the program is that you cannot use Free File Fillable Forms to e-file your return if you are required to attach a statement. This program does not support attaching miscellaneous pdf attachments. However, you will be able to use the program to complete, print and mail in the return."

I have NEVER attached a statement to form 1116 when filing by mail and it has never been a problem.

I received the following response from the IRS, with the usual niceties...

"Enter five zeros in the Foreign Postal Code area"

I added my postcode onto the county and entered 00000 in the Foreign Postal Code field as they suggest. I've just e-filed, so just waiting for acceptance email now.

Hmmm.....that's an 'update' to the (non)answer I got last year. I may try to use FFF again this year.

Doesn't seem like fillable forms is going to work for me after all. I've had some XML errors back by email (can't believe they present error messages to the public in this format!) the latest of which, translated into plain English by this site says:

I have NEVER attached a statement to form 1116 when filing by mail and it has never been a problem.

Reading the error message you received, did you create a fake** 1099? Although I've never filed electronically, I understand such programmes require a fake 1099 in order to function. The fake 1099 should be part of the package. Of course, a W-2/1099 isn't required for filing from abroad for non-US sources, but these packages evidently do need something in their electronic brain in order to function.

** I call it a fake 1099. durham_lad knows the proper name and will be able to tell you how it works.

Bev, on the ExpatForum site, has looked at the 15 packages on offer, but only found 2 that met her needs.

http://www.expatforum.com/expats/expat-tax/956642-us-citizens-free-filing-2015-a.html

Reading the error message you received, did you create a fake** 1099? Although I've never filed electronically, I understand such programmes require a fake 1099 in order to function. The fake 1099 should be part of the package. Of course, a W-2/1099 isn't required for filing from abroad for non-US sources, but these packages evidently do need something in their electronic brain in order to function.

** I call it a fake 1099. durham_lad knows the proper name and will be able to tell you how it works.

Bev, on the ExpatForum site, has looked at the 15 packages on offer, but only found 2 that met her needs.

http://www.expatforum.com/expats/expat-tax/956642-us-citizens-free-filing-2015-a.html

I think you are referring to a substitute 1099-R which then requires a form 4852 with explanation why the company didn't provide either a 1099-R or a W-2.

I create a "fake" 1099-INT for the interest paid by my UK bank and am never prompted by TurboTax to provide any other forms as to why the bank did not provide a 1099-INT.  I've done this for my UK accounts for over 25 years and the fact that the bank listed does not have a Federal id number or a US address doesn't seem to matter.