@DianeW777 Thank you again for your response. And my apologies, I was just way too confused. I was able to get to talk to someone via Live Assist feature and this is what I was informed.
Option 1: Use online Turbo Tax to eFile the returns and complete Form 3115 offline along with a separate document with the explanation(s) to the questions on Form 3115. After the eFile is accepted, send Form 3115 with the explanation document to the address listed on it. Also, send Form 8453 with 3115 box checked and this goes to a different address. But I know the suggestion I received here was to not use online Turbo Tax and complete form 3115 offline and rather use the desktop version. What is the drawback of this option?
Option 2: Use Desktop version, complete Form 3115 but it will still need to be mailed separately after the filing is accepted.
In either case, I was told that the Form 8453 is optional and does not need to be filed at all if I am filing Form 3115.
Is my understanding with either option correct?
