@CarlitosWay , my comments on the above response from my colleague @rjs :
1. I apologize that my colleague @rjs' answer seems to imply that us volunteers , while not employees of Intuit, have lesser knowledge about topics than tax professionals. On the contrary , most of the volunteers ( champs or otherwise designations ) are generally retired tax professionals or people with great familiarity with the product. We volunteer because we desire to help the " do-it-yourself" tax payer prepare and file an accurate tax return.
2. TurboTax product(s) is focused towards the DIY tax preparer , implying that if you have to run to a tax professional for your return prep. for each and every uncommon situation, then the product has failed ( either by design or otherwise).
3. Personally, having helped many TurboTax users over the years, I am convinced the product is quite capable of handling most complex situations. Your particular situation of foreign pension is not that uncommon and therefore the question becomes (a) is the product capable of handling the situation and (b) is the taxpayer ( with help from the community or otherwise) able to navigate and complete a correct return . My view is that the product is quite capable and so is the taxpayer i.e. the product ( the right version ) is capable and so is the taxpayer ( perhaps with help from the community ). Thus I vehemently disagree with my colleague ( @rjs ) that one must run to a tax professional for any such situation.
4. Additionally, just because one is a tax professional ( whether credentialed or not ) does not imply/ assure that one is conversant with international taxation ( in fact few are --- and I say this based on my experience with a number of CPAs / EAs while on advisory panels for the US treasury) .
In summary/ conclusion , my suggestions and statements above stand. I recognize that we , as volunteers helping TurboTax users, are not supposed to criticize post by a colleague -- this is an exception in my view.
Is there more I can do for you ?
pk
