Hi, first time posting so I hope this is OK (I couldn't find specific answers anywhere else). I've been tearing my hair out trying to understand how to file and keep getting conflicting advice.
Essentially I lived in the US for the first 3 months of 2020, and then moved back to the UK. I understand I need to file two returns, a 1040 for the first three months and then a 1040NR for the remaining 9.
TT recommended Sprintax for the NR but Sprintax told me quite bluntly not to use them, confusingly. So I'm going to have to do this myself. On the 1040NR I believe I only have bank interest and dividends (which shouldn't be taxable anyway?). But I also need to add schedule NEC, schedule OI, and form 8840. Have I missed anything there?
For the 1040, TurboTax is confusingly telling me to take the standard deduction, although I believe I can't do this as a dual status? Should I continue with itemised deductions and then do the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion for everything I earned in the UK? (I'm counting my tax residency to end in March when I left).
Finally, for (California) state taxes, I only need to file one return I believe - should this be the 540 or 540NR though? I've heard. conflicting advice on whether I became CA non-resident when I left or whether it counts as resident all year regardless.
Would really appreciate any answers and advice here...!
