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In TurboTax, or any other do-it-yourself tax software, information is entered through the question-and-answer interview. If you don't want to use the interview, you can use Free File Fillable Forms on the IRS web site, or you can download the blank forms and instructions from the IRS web site and fill out the forms by hand. If you use the desktop TurboTax software, not TurboTax online, you can switch to forms mode, which allows you to make entries directly on the forms. But you will find that many of the entries on forms like Schedule F and Schedule C cannot be made directly on the form. The entries come from supporting forms or worksheets. Entering all of your information in forms mode is complicated, time-consuming, and error-prone.  

@user17591658047  I do need to note here, the procedure(s) for reporting the income and then subtracting it back out.   The correct procedure would be to enter an item of "miscellaneous income" in the amount of the foreign social security.  This would go on Schedule 1 line 8z with a notation like "India social security" or whatever the name.  Then, enter an item of negative income to offset the Indian social security. This goes on schedule 1 line 24z, you can use the treaty language suggested by @pk .   However, you can only access schedule 1 line 24z by making a manual entry using Forms mode of Turbotax installed on your own computer from a CD or download (the desktop version).    If you are using Turbotax online, you have to enter both the miscellaneous income and the negative offset in the same place, "other miscellaneous income".  This places both the income and the offset on line 8z.  This is not technically correct, but seems to be an acceptable answer and has been recommended in the past by Turbotax employees.  (I think they should allow online entries on line 24z, but I don't get to make the rules.)   I suppose it is a benefit in the long run, to file a return that says... 8z. Indian pension +$10,000 8z. Pension income excluded by treaty -$10,000 Adjusted gross income zero, taxable income zero, tax zero    ...so that you have it officially on record that you claim the treaty benefit.  But it seems a bit silly.   Of course, if you have other worldwide income that is not the government pension, that is taxable in the US and you should file a return, whether or not you can claim a credit on form 1116.  Only the government social benefit is completely tax-free in the US.

The absolute fastest way to get your refund is through TurboTax’s Up to 5 Days Early Refund Delivery or with a Refund Advance. There’s a brief summary of each below, and you can compare the options here.    Refund Advance: If you qualify for this loan, you could get your refund almost instantaneously! This option is usually available for a limited time at the beginning of tax season. Up to 5 Days Early Refund Delivery: Just like it says - if you want to get your refund up to 5 days early. Simply select this option when TurboTax asks you how you want your refund delivered to you. It’s free with a Credit Karma Money account, but you can also use your own bank account. If you’re not in that much of a hurry, then the best way is to e-file and have your refund directly deposited into your bank account. On average, this option takes up to 21 days for the IRS to process your tax return, then issue your refund. And if you’re due a refund from your state, the processing time varies depending on the state. Fortunately, most states have refund tracking links so you can watch the progress.

The IRS processes most e-filed tax returns within 21 days. If yours is delayed beyond that amount of time, you’ll first want to confirm your e-file status to make sure your tax return was completely filed and “Accepted” for processing. Once you confirm they were accepted, you can use TurboTax’s Where’s My Refund tool to track both your federal and state refunds. If you printed and mailed your tax returns, they can take 6 weeks or longer to process. If you still don’t have your refund after the appropriate time has passed, you might want to Contact the IRS to find out if there is a reason for the delay.  And if your tax returns were “Rejected”, you’ll see the reject code when you check your e-file status with TurboTax. Once you know what needs to be corrected, you go back into your tax return, fix the concern, then refile your taxes.

Typically a large change in taxes owed (or refund amount) is due to income or deduction changes on your tax return. The most common things to consider are job changes or life events such as a dependent who ages out or a marital status change. This article has a fairly thorough list of reasons for changes, so it’s a good place to start. If nothing in the linked article above applies to your situation, the next step is to compare your prior year tax return (Form 1040) to the current year. It’s best to review it line-by-line to pinpoint what’s changed, or perhaps even catch a simple typo in your entries.  For help accessing a prior year return check this article on How do I view, download, or print a prior-year tax return?

When the appreciated securities are sold the gain will be subject to tax and if substantial, to Kiddie tax at your tax rate.  You can’t convert the entire $100,000 to a Roth or 529 since both have contribution limits. In addition, assuming that you want the child to have the Roth, recognize that the child has to have earned income to be able to do that. 

@user17591658047 , In my view, since  you were not present during the Non-Resident portion of the year  NOR had any US sourced income,  it serves no purpose ( other than paperwork ) to fill out  1040-NR with all zeroes and having to paper-file ( with  "Dual Status Filer" legend  on the first pages of each of the 1040s ).     Does that cover your query ?

@pk  Your detailed reply was very helpful. Thanks for the additional info about FBAR and SAR.  Can you please clarify one question - Do I need to file 1040-NR for the part of the year I was non-resident? No US Income in 2024. In other words, what would I enter in the 1040-NR when no US income?

I don’t remember, I forwarded it as spam…something to do with did I file enough taxes. We did short form. And it wanted me to click a link or call a California phone number…I only call if I direct dial a confirmed number from the direct website. Too much craziness going on to trust a pop up message 

@DefLepp  1.  Under  treaty article covering  " elimination of double taxation", US has to recognize the  taxes paid to a foreign taxing authority ( generally in full ).  However, US can only allow negation of its taxes on the same doubly taxed  foreign sourced income.   Also because of different tax laws , " doubly taxed foreign source income"  can become an issue. 2. Thus to meet its own rules and also abide by the  treaty, US recognizes the full amount of taxes paid on the foreign source income and allows ONLY its allocated taxes as credit for the current  year. Then it allows  the rest  ( unused Foreign Tax Credit)  to used  as carry back and forward   ( similar to other credits like NOL) 3. US also protects itself from " abuse" by using HTKO regime i.e. shifting  highly taxed  passive income  to general category income  and  its taxing rules. 4. Given India's availability of  "indexing of basis " or "Non-indexed basis"   and USA allowing only  FMV at death and at sale, I do not understand how you end up with such a large differential  ( US gain US$10K and India  gain US$75K).  I am missing something here, even allowing for currency differential over  ?? years.  Please could you clarify ?   Does this answer your query?   Is there more  can do for you ?