Phone number

Is there any way to use TurboTax without having a US phone number? Or....is there another tax prep program that actually lets you live overseas and can put info in without having to lie about things like phone numbers?

I don't know how good the software is but TaxAct seems to allow you to purchase from outside the US.

I'd be interested to hear other opinions on how they rate the software.

https://www.taxact.com/support/330/2020/placing-an-order-from-outside-the-united-states?hideLayout=False

I don't know how good the software is but TaxAct seems to allow you to purchase from outside the US.

I'd be interested to hear other opinions on how they rate the software.

https://www.taxact.com/support/330/2020/placing-an-order-from-outside-the-united-states?hideLayout=False


I’ve used TaxAct for many years and found it to be excellent. I have a virtual U.S phone number that will receive text messages, they need this for 2FA. For around $20 a year my U.S number has been very useful for calling and receiving calls from the U.S from anyone including business landlines all for free. Previous posts have addressed the need to have a U.S billing address or to use TaxAct’s address. There is no provision to list a overseas address at check out.

I don't know how good the software is but TaxAct seems to allow you to purchase from outside the US.

I'd be interested to hear other opinions on how they rate the software.

https://www.taxact.com/support/330/2020/placing-an-order-from-outside-the-united-states?hideLayout=False


I’ve used TaxAct for many years and found it to be excellent. I have a virtual U.S phone number that will receive text messages, they need this for 2FA. For around $20 a year my U.S number has been very useful for calling and receiving calls from the U.S from anyone including business landlines all for free. Previous posts have addressed the need to have a U.S billing address or to use TaxAct’s address. There is no provision to list a overseas address at check out.

So for this I would still have to get some special phone number....  I'm actually thinking about just doing this manually like we used to do. I might check the IRS site to see if they just do all the paper forms like they used to. I have to mail mine in anyway like I did last year I would think.

I think that by calling them they can add you to their database without having a US phone number:

You may also Contact TaxAct Service & Support and use the Email Support link to indicate which product(s) you would like to purchase and provide your customer information. That information allows us to add you to our customer database and set up a user account for you. If you have an existing account, please indicate that within your email communication to us.

I think that by calling them they can add you to their database without having a US phone number:

You may also Contact TaxAct Service & Support and use the Email Support link to indicate which product(s) you would like to purchase and provide your customer information. That information allows us to add you to our customer database and set up a user account for you. If you have an existing account, please indicate that within your email communication to us.

I tried the TaxAct email support link...wants my gmail (which I have) but insists I put in my account name and then states there is someone else with that name (me). I looked at the sign-up page...you need a US phone number it would appear....

I tried the TaxAct email support link...wants my gmail (which I have) but insists I put in my account name and then states there is someone else with that name (me). I looked at the sign-up page...you need a US phone number it would appear....

It does say you need it... I put in my number (my UK number, omitting the leading 0), and of course text messages weren't going to reach me that way.  But I confirmed my account by using the 2FA number that they also emailed, and then there was no longer a need for the phone number.  Someone in the US probably got some six-digit codes to verify an account, but they don't know what account it was linked to, so it wasn't a problem for me.  All the email message said was, "Your one-time passcode is 214666."  I assume the text message is similarly sparse for details.

If you download Talkatone, a free app.....you can have a functional US phone number and call or text the US for free. I have had it for several years and use it to call and message family as well as calling my US bank(which took 2 hours), all of it costing nothing.


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Take a look at: https://www.magicjack.com/ I have the app on my phone and to be honest it's invaluable. Banking 2FA, IRA/401(k) 2FA, the list goes on. I've used this Voip for over ten years and you have the benefit of choosing your own 'area code'. Stateside institutions/businesses look for a 10 digit number, a number that will become even more valuable as companies move to text alerts and validations. All with the benefit of free calls to the U.S., the IRS for example and if you're in the U.S. very cheap calls back to the U.K. and many other countries.   

I think people have misunderstood my effort. While I realise that there are methods to get around the tax site issues.....why? Why can't I just do my taxes....with the software in a reasonable way....? Why? Why might I NEED a US phone number? US credit card?  If I cut off all ties to the US....how might I do my US taxes?

Why can't I just do my taxes....with the software in a reasonable way....? Why? Why might I NEED a US phone number? US credit card?

Because, as you know, easily available software is designed for US residents with income reported to the IRS through W-2's, 1099's, etc.  The software is not designed for anyone resident abroad, although with the workarounds it can be made, in many certain circumstances, to work adequately. There is no software specifically designed for USCs abroad which understands all their various incomes and foreign tax paid and works in all foreign countries (although there is software for pros to do this, but it's very expensive). There aren't enough USCs in the UK for a company to make a profit on a US/UK specific return.

If I cut off all ties to the US....how might I do my US taxes?

If you know which forms you will need (1040, Sch. B, 8938, 1116, etc.), simply google "form 1040" (or whichever) and download the PDF version of the form from the IRS site. With Adobe Acrobat you can enter all the information needed on the form. Print it off, sign it, and send it in. Job done.

Pros:
You only have to complete the information required, and do not have to create "funny" information, "funny" forms, and use "funny" methods which are solely needed to make the software work.

Negatives:
It takes longer and you will have to do all the math (and checking the math). Free File Fillable Forms evidently will also do some of the math if you use them.

The time required is maybe 30% longer, but you have to create the information to enter in both the software and on the forms. I believe that includes the apportioning for form 1116 for both. You will have to enter, many times,  your name and SS number on each form. I believe the software does this automatically for each form. You'll also discover there are multiple ways to report income.

Because, as you know, easily available software is designed for US residents with income reported to the IRS through W-2's, 1099's, etc.  The software is not designed for anyone resident abroad, although with the workarounds it can be made, in many certain circumstances, to work adequately. There is no software specifically designed for USCs abroad which understands all their various incomes and foreign tax paid and works in all foreign countries (although there is software for pros to do this, but it's very expensive). There aren't enough USCs in the UK for a company to make a profit on a US/UK specific return.
If you know which forms you will need (1040, Sch. B, 8938, 1116, etc.), simply google "form 1040" (or whichever) and download the PDF version of the form from the IRS site. With Adobe Acrobat you can enter all the information needed on the form. Print it off, sign it, and send it in. Job done.

Pros:
You only have to complete the information required, and do not have to create "funny" information, "funny" forms, and use "funny" methods which are solely needed to make the software work.

Negatives:
It takes longer and you will have to do all the math (and checking the math). Free File Fillable Forms evidently will also do some of the math if you use them.

The time required is maybe 30% longer, but you have to create the information to enter in both the software and on the forms. I believe that includes the apportioning for form 1116 for both. You will have to enter, many times,  your name and SS number on each form. I believe the software does this automatically for each form. You'll also discover there are multiple ways to report income.

Yeah, I understand why the sites like TT don't do things just for me. But....all I need is the ability to put in my phone number. And preferably, a credit card that doesn't have a US requirement. I find it hard to believe that's such a "hard ask".

I can use a credit card anywhere.....paying in local currency and it adjusts to the US  $ equiv.....   But not with my taxes.

H&R Block claim to have software for expats.

https://americanexpatfinance.com/news/item/643-hr-block-unveils-new-diy-tax-software
"H&R Block unveils new 'DIY tax software' for U.S. expats"

https://www.hrblock.com/expat-tax-preparation/?otppartnerid=9125&campaignid=ps_mcm_9125_0104&kpid=go_cmp-1023112059_adg-48448016137_ad-490964629333_kwd-343020243276_dev-c_ext-_prd-&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI0cX7_5Kp7wIVyIBQBh0Wxw9cEAAYASAAEgJvjfD_BwE
"Expat tax services from the experts at Block
Get your U.S. expat taxes done with guidance from our international tax experts or file them yourself with our online tax software designed specifically for expats."

I have no idea what is required to obtain the software. I've not look into it and have no idea what is required to download the software or if it's any good for someone in the UK.

H&R Block claim to have software for expats.

https://americanexpatfinance.com/news/item/643-hr-block-unveils-new-diy-tax-software
"H&R Block unveils new 'DIY tax software' for U.S. expats"

https://www.hrblock.com/expat-tax-preparation/?otppartnerid=9125&campaignid=ps_mcm_9125_0104&kpid=go_cmp-1023112059_adg-48448016137_ad-490964629333_kwd-343020243276_dev-c_ext-_prd-&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI0cX7_5Kp7wIVyIBQBh0Wxw9cEAAYASAAEgJvjfD_BwE
"Expat tax services from the experts at Block
Get your U.S. expat taxes done with guidance from our international tax experts or file them yourself with our online tax software designed specifically for expats."

I have no idea what is required to obtain the software. I've not look into it and have no idea what is required to download the software or if it's any good for someone in the UK.

Thanks.....I might just take a look today to see what they have.

I've been doing some research on Free file because I have 3 daughters (all USC's) who need to claim their Stimulus payments. While Intuit TurboTax participates in Free File and you can sign up from Overseas without a phone number, this only works for Free-file - their regular account doesn't allow this (as you've already found out).

What I have found is Expatfile  (https://expatfile.tax) - they're based in Delaware but seem to just handle expat taxes, so you'd like to think they don't have US phone requirements (not go that far yet) not sure how complex it is either, but it's reviews on Trustpilot are very good (94% excellent and 6% great) with 100 reviews. Does anyone have experience with them?