My grandmother passed away in India and in her probated (in India) will gave my mother life interest in her (my grandmother's) house. I received the remainderman interest. I was in the U.S. as an international student at the time and not a U.S. resident. I am now a US citizen and resident.
My mother has now passed away and the house in India has been sold. For U.S. tax purposes, is the cost-basis for the house its value at the time my grandmother passed away or when my mother passed away ?
Both my mother and grandmother were Indian citizens and residents.
For you, the cost basis is the value of the home at the date of your mother's death.
Keep in mind if the home was worth more than $100,000 US equivalent, that you also need to report this inheritance on Form 3520. This form is not included in TurboTax but you can learn more about it here: Form 3520: Reporting Gifts and Inheritances from Foreign Countries.
Thanks, Susan, for taking the time to reply. Unfortunately, I am getting conflicting answers to my question. Another EA indicates that the cost basis is the value of my grandmother's home at the time she passed away (and not when my mother passed away decades later).
Not quite sure how to get a definitive answer.
You will use the FMV when your Mother passed, not when your grandmother passed.