ErnieS0
Expert Alumni

Get your taxes done using TurboTax

U.S. Citizens living abroad can use TurboTax CD\Desktop to file taxes. You can only file 2020 online.

 

TurboTax offers 2017, 2018 and 2019 prior year programs for purchase and download. You can buy the other years through some online sellers or go to an accountant.

 

The IRS limits refunds to three years from the original due date of the return, so you would only be able to claim a refund back to 2017 (originally due April 2018). If you have some carryforward deductions or credits, it may be possible to move those forward from prior to 2017.

 

Don’t Lose Your Refund by Not Filing

 

You can and should file prior years to show no balance due. If you owe tax, there is no limit. The IRS will continue to charge penalty and interest. You can request first-time penalty abatement.

 

First Time Penalty Abatement

 

Some or all of your income may be exempt from U.S. tax under the foreign earned income exclusion.

 

Any nonexempt income would qualify for a foreign tax credit or deduction since you paid tax to Colombia all those years. You can also choose not to take the foreign earned income exclusion and claim a foreign tax credit or deduction on the whole income.

**Say "Thanks" by clicking the thumb icon in a post
**Mark the post that answers your question by clicking on "Mark as Best Answer"