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Level 4
Feb 7, 2022 11:07 PM UTC
Question

Retirement/Pension Ireland

I migrated from Ireland in 2013 to the USA.  I left behind a small retirement account that I could not transfer with me.  The retirement account was a company pension plan where both made contributions (company matched).  I did not contribute to it after leaving Ireland and it ebbed and flowed with the stock markets.  I’ve been a US citizen for a few years and living in the US since 2013.

 

Last year I decided to close out the account as the opportunity arose and I took a small taxable lump-sum payment while purchasing a very small annuity in Ireland with the balance.

 

As I am doing my 2021 tax-return I am wondering how to report this.  I am trying to avoid having to pay tax on the lump-sum if possible or at least if I can claim a foreign tax credit or something to offset the taxes paid.

 

Seems very difficult to find anything in layman’s terms that explains or provides guidance on what to do, even on the irs website.

 

Can any experts out there give any input?  My other option is to speak to a tax advisor familiar with International tax situations like mine, but keeping that as a last resort for the minute.

    6 replies

    Level 7
    Feb 8, 2022 12:00 AM UTC

    You will be able to claim credit for the taxes you paid in Ireland. You will have to fill out Foreign tax credit form 1116.

     

    1. Make sure you've entered all your foreign income
    2. From within your return, search for foreign tax credit and select the Jump to link in the search results
    3. Answer Yes to Did you pay foreign taxes in 2021 or have credits to use from a prior year?
    4. Follow the instructions to get the credit or deduction

    Foreign Tax Credit 1116

    KHM2Author
    Level 4
    Feb 8, 2022 12:18 AM UTC

    Thanks - I guess i need to wait for the form to be available to check this out.