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Level 1
posted Mar 24, 2020 12:54:31 AM

International Taxpayers

HI Everyone,

 

I am Permanent Resident (GreenCard Holder) and currently working outside of The USA at foreign company. I would like to know can TurboTax help me to file my tax online ? what do i have to do to file my tax ?

 

Sincerely,

Farid

0 3 768
2 Best answers
Expert Alumni
Mar 24, 2020 5:17:11 AM

As a green card holder, you are a resident alien for U.S. income tax purposes. You file as an U.S. citizen using Form 1040 and report your worldwide income.

 

If you are a U.S. citizen or resident alien, the rules for filing income tax returns and paying estimated tax are generally the same whether you are in the United States or abroad. Your worldwide income is subject to U.S. income tax, regardless of where you reside.

 

But, if you had income from foreign sources and were either a bona fide resident of a foreign country or were physically present there for most of the year, you probably qualify to exclude some or all of your foreign income from taxation by the U.S.  Even if you don't meet those tests for foreign income exclusion, you get a credit for foreign taxes paid on your income.

 

See the IRS website at this link for more information, and other links to the foreign income exclusion and foreign tax credit.

Expert Alumni
Mar 29, 2020 8:10:37 AM

I can help you with your foreign wages:  When  did you arrive in the US before going overseas?  What state did you live in?  

 

Enter your foreign income in the foreign earned income exclusion section of TurboTax.

  1. Enter foreign earned income in the Search box at the top of the page (magnifying glass).  

  2. Check Yes that you made money outside the US

  3. Check that you received a statement from your foreign employer

  4. Enter the amount of your wages in USD

  5. Go through the next couple of screens and click the circle that you do want the program the so if the income qualifies for the foreign earned income   

  6. Go through next couple of screen 

  7. The program will see if you qualify for the foreign earned income exclusion.  As a green card holder, you should only qualify using the physical presence test. You will qualify only if you have or will have 330 foreign days in any 12 month period.   If you do  not qualify, the program will still keep your foreign wages you input.  If you don't qualify, you can use foreign tax credit to help offset any double taxation.

Now your have your foreign income entered. Now you should enter your foreign tax if you paid foreign tax or have foreign tax accrued.

 

Proceed to the foreign tax credit section of the return 

  1. First screen say yes you paid foreign taxes 

  2. Go through a couple of screens, Tell Us About Your Foreign Taxes say None of these apply Then continue 

  3. Click you want the credit 

  4. Do all of the following apply , click No as you have foreign taxes to enter 

  5. Click through a couple screens and click the income category as General Category income 

  6. Add your country

  7. Enter your foreign taxes paid under Other Income 

  8. Country Summary - click Done 

  9. Click through the screens to the end of the foreign tax credit section.   

3 Replies
Expert Alumni
Mar 24, 2020 5:17:11 AM

As a green card holder, you are a resident alien for U.S. income tax purposes. You file as an U.S. citizen using Form 1040 and report your worldwide income.

 

If you are a U.S. citizen or resident alien, the rules for filing income tax returns and paying estimated tax are generally the same whether you are in the United States or abroad. Your worldwide income is subject to U.S. income tax, regardless of where you reside.

 

But, if you had income from foreign sources and were either a bona fide resident of a foreign country or were physically present there for most of the year, you probably qualify to exclude some or all of your foreign income from taxation by the U.S.  Even if you don't meet those tests for foreign income exclusion, you get a credit for foreign taxes paid on your income.

 

See the IRS website at this link for more information, and other links to the foreign income exclusion and foreign tax credit.

Level 1
Mar 27, 2020 1:11:21 AM

Dear Mark,

 

Currently I work for company located in outside of US and this company is foreign company. do i have to fill 1040 ? it is my first time to file my tax. I tried to file my tax on Turbotax but it is required W-2 form, However there is not W-2 form in where i work.Is there any alternative for it ?  I would like to know do i have to fill only 1040  form or there is additional form which I should fill ? Thank you for taking time in advance.

 

Sincerely,

Farid 

Expert Alumni
Mar 29, 2020 8:10:37 AM

I can help you with your foreign wages:  When  did you arrive in the US before going overseas?  What state did you live in?  

 

Enter your foreign income in the foreign earned income exclusion section of TurboTax.

  1. Enter foreign earned income in the Search box at the top of the page (magnifying glass).  

  2. Check Yes that you made money outside the US

  3. Check that you received a statement from your foreign employer

  4. Enter the amount of your wages in USD

  5. Go through the next couple of screens and click the circle that you do want the program the so if the income qualifies for the foreign earned income   

  6. Go through next couple of screen 

  7. The program will see if you qualify for the foreign earned income exclusion.  As a green card holder, you should only qualify using the physical presence test. You will qualify only if you have or will have 330 foreign days in any 12 month period.   If you do  not qualify, the program will still keep your foreign wages you input.  If you don't qualify, you can use foreign tax credit to help offset any double taxation.

Now your have your foreign income entered. Now you should enter your foreign tax if you paid foreign tax or have foreign tax accrued.

 

Proceed to the foreign tax credit section of the return 

  1. First screen say yes you paid foreign taxes 

  2. Go through a couple of screens, Tell Us About Your Foreign Taxes say None of these apply Then continue 

  3. Click you want the credit 

  4. Do all of the following apply , click No as you have foreign taxes to enter 

  5. Click through a couple screens and click the income category as General Category income 

  6. Add your country

  7. Enter your foreign taxes paid under Other Income 

  8. Country Summary - click Done 

  9. Click through the screens to the end of the foreign tax credit section.