It used to be easy

Until a couple years ago, I filed a 1040A and 2555EZ and that was it. It's not so EZ anymore! I don't even know what forms I need now, so I hope there is someone who has been in the same boat. I'm retired, only have Social Security and a small UK state pension as income. My wife is working, probably for one more year, but I don't believe is subject to US tax. She's from here, but got a SS number when she was studying in the states. We file joint, but I don't know if  only having a UK state pension means I still need to file a 2555? I need to get this right this year as we have not received our 2nd stimulus payment (got the 1st and 3rd). Thanks for any help!

You don’t say where you are living and what your citizenship status is, but if you are USCs living in the UK then your UK state pension does not even have to appear on your US tax return. SS is also only taxable in the  UK but it has to be reported on your US return with a negative value to offset it in “Other income”.  At least that is my understanding.

On the basis that you have a relatively small income you qualify for IRS free-file - try using the free software - much of the it is intuitive these days, it just asks you questions, you answer them and it produces a return that you can then e-file - by far the quickest way to get your 2nd stimulus payment.

I think @durhamlad uses Turbotax, I myself use Tax Act - both highly recommended and suitable for overseas filing.

On the basis that you have a relatively small income you qualify for IRS free-file - try using the free software - much of the it is intuitive these days, it just asks you questions, you answer them and it produces a return that you can then e-file - by far the quickest way to get your 2nd stimulus payment.

I think @durhamlad uses Turbotax, I myself use Tax Act - both highly recommended and suitable for overseas filing.

+1

Thank you both for your replies. @durhamlad, I live in England and am I USC, my wife is not a USC. Thanks for the tip re: my UK state pension. @Smitch, I can't use those yet as I never received a 1099 for my SS benefits for 2020. I will have to call them I'm afraid. We've always filed joint, and will have to this year as we didn't get the 2nd stimulus payment. After this, we would like to stop filing for my wife, as I don't believe her UK earnings are subject to US tax, or even need to be reported. Not sure about that, and if it would affect her eligibility for SS benefits through me, then we'd have to keep filing jointly. Seems silly, neither of us has had a US income since 2005, and were always under the limit on the 2555 for FEI.
The misadventure continues, and I will hopefully have some questions answered tomorrow. Thanks again.

The fact that you haven't received a 1099 for your SS benefits shouldn't stop you using free file - e-filing is so much quicker and reliable and you'll get your payment so much quicker. In terms of filing a joint return - I'll leave it to those with more knowledge, but I wouldn't have though there is any requirement for your wife to be included is she is not a USC.

Spousal eligibility for a social security retirement benefit is I suspect a lot more complex and one where I would recommend you get specialist advice - she will receive a UK state pension, possibly a UK private pension (through auto enrollment) and then WEP could come into the equation also - life can be complicated!

I entered my info on the freefile site, and was not offered either turbotax or tax act (too old?). I had 6 other choices, have started with 1040now, but it may have to be 1040later because my lack of a SSA1099 is proving to be a problem. I will still need to call the bast..........the IRS and hope they can get me a copy by email.

Had to call the SSA. They will rush one right out to me, should get it by July 17. Really, it used to be easy.

Had to call the SSA. They will rush one right out to me, should get it by July 17. Really, it used to be easy.

Do you have an online account with them? Just wondered if they make the tax forms available online. I have had an online account for years and get online statements but haven’t started collecting SS yet so don’t know if tax documents are provided online.

@durhamlad They told me I could download if I had an online account, but because I don't have a US address or phone# I can't have an online account. SNAFU

@durhamlad They told me I could download if I had an online account, but because I don't have a US address or phone# I can't have an online account. SNAFU

That's a bummer.  We created our SS accounts before we moved back.  It is good to know that the tax forms will be available online as my wife will start collecting hers later this year, so thanks for confirming that.