Is it sufficient to file and send my federal return WITHOUT a W2 and no supporting forms with my 1040 (since I did not earn US income)? I earned foreign income only

[tjgaylik88]

no US income hence no W2, only US interest and earned income from foreign country. TurboTax only has my sending my standard 1040 form and Schedule B. Is this sufficient?

[LinaJ2020]

When you e-file your return, you do not need to attach any supporting documents to your tax return unless the program tells you to do so.  However, you should prepare any substantiation to support your numbers on your tax return when IRS contacts you to request for the information in the future.  In your situation, I will suggest you to gather documents or paperwork that proves your foreign income. 

[tjgaylik88]

Thanks for your recommendations @LinaJ2020 ,  I’ll gather documents for my records. However, TurboTax will not allow me to send electronically. I researched why, and one of the reasons is that I don’t have a W-2. Therefore, I have to send it through the mail. When I print my return through TurboTax, it only has me sending form 1040.  My main concern is whether this is sufficient if that’s all TurboTax has me printing? Thanks!!

[JeffreyR77 · Accepted solution]

IRS only requires specific documentation be mailed in with a tax return - in fact they do not want any additional paperwork. 

TurboTax prints out the required documentation.

One key requirement is any document with any tax withholding being claimed on the tax return.

In some cases Form 1099-B is required to be mailed in ii it was summarized on the tax return. 

If you have foreign income from a foreign source that you are reporting on Form 1040, there is no additional reporting or attachment required. 

As noted earlier any currency conversion or notes relevant to your return should be kept in the event the IRS should contact you in the future. 

They have 3 years from the due date of the return to make inquiry.

[tjgaylik88]

Thanks @JeffreyR77 !! This was perfect and reassuring.