TurboTax anyone?

who all uses TurboTax? This is my first year filing taxes abroad. I started working within the NHS May 2017 to now, so I have to file. Honestly, I'm terrified and feel super overwhelmed. It feels like it should be easy but it's not shaking out to be straightforward at all. I am using TurboTax Freedom edition since it was recommended by the IRS website (amongst other software but I've heard TurboTax is pretty good). However, I've put on it that I'm filing from 'foreign', married filing separately, but it's still asking for my husbands (the brit) ssn, and for my w-2. Obvs I don't have a w-2. I feel like a complete idiot trying to fill this stuff out! Before moving I always used the free version of H&R Block with zero issues... but now I'm married and living in the UK lol! ahhhhhhhhhh someone hold my hand lol

You're a bit too early too file; but from what you say you have UK employment income to report plus UK employer pension contributions. No you won't have a W-2 & your spouse does not have and does not need an ITIN or SSN.

Why is it too early? Doesn't the tax year end December 2017? I've got all my payslips from when I started to Dec 2017. I know we get an extension, but I figure it's not going to make much difference, I mean I'm not making any more money for that tax year. I know in April I'll get a P60 but that covers April 2016-April 2017 so that won't be much use with those extra months (Dec17-April18)?

I use TurboTax while filing from the UK but we are both UK & US citizens so I can’t answer your question.

It’s too early to file because you started working in the UK in May and you won’t be able to file and claim FEIE or get out of the health insurance tax penalty until you have physically been out of the country for 330 days. You will find that TurboTax will inform of you this as your work through your return.

But I have been out of the country for over 330 days. I arrived October 2016. Hmm I'm slowly filling in the bits I've got on turbo tax and it did ask me about my health care and I put none... but after that it asks about bonifide resident/ physical presence test, so I went with bonifide since with that one I could state that I've been here since October 2016.

But I have been out of the country for over 330 days. I arrived October 2016. Hmm I'm slowly filling in the bits I've got on turbo tax and it did ask me about my health care and I put none... but after that it asks about bonifide resident/ physical presence test, so I went with bonifide since with that one I could state that I've been here since October 2016.

Sounds like you are good to go.

Hi TexasPeach,

As you go through the various taxation aspects that are personally applicable to you, I think you'd understand more of your specific scenario. A lot of others will be in a very similar position and it's why Tax returns are complex but also cover pretty much everyone.

That said, I used to work for Intuit who make TurboTax. I was involved in the QA and Testing side of things and no software - from any company for any use is perfect. It 'might' be a known issue or a program bug. I'm suggesting to you to look at the Intuit / Turbo Tax website and even log a support query. That way it'll be looked at with someone in the team familiar with Tax law and guidelines etc and they can confirm if it's an issue with the software or, a detail input error causing an incorrect result with what you see on screen. It might well turn out it's only an error with what you've entered so far as well, point is get it logged!

It's been a long time since I worked at UK Intuit and also covered the UK equivalent at the time - TaxCalc, so I'm sorry I can't point to a direct resolution for you ! Plus, I only had a limited few months and access to the US Turbotax product and knowledge of the USA tax setup/laws etc!

Cheers, DtM! West London & Slough UK!