Foreign account interest entry

[rbhaga1]

I am using TT Deluxe Do It Yourself web software for filing 2025 taxes. I am not allowed to proceed further when I enter foreign interest received from Indian Banks that do not have a FEIN. What are my next steps? Please advise. 

[DaveF1006]

Use this method to report your interest to bypass the FEIN requirement.

1. Go to Federal > Wages & Income.
2. Scroll to the very bottom to Less Common Income and select Miscellaneous Income, 1099-A, 1099-C.
3. Select Other reportable income at the bottom.
4. Answer Yes to "Any Other Taxable Income?"
5. Description: Enter "Foreign Interest - [Bank Name, India]".
6. Amount: Enter the total in USD.
7. This will place the income on Schedule 1, Line 8z, which flows to your 1040 without requiring a FEIN.

If you paid foreign tax on this, here is how you may file to receive a Foreign Tax credit.

1. Navigate to the Credit Section: Go to Federal > Deductions & Credits > Estimates and Other Taxes Paid > Foreign Tax Credit.
2. Initial Questions: * Select Yes to "Did you pay foreign taxes?" 
3. Select Yes to "Before we begin, have you already entered all your foreign income?" (You did this in the "Other Reportable Income" section).
4. Choose the Credit: On the screen "Do you want the deduction or the credit?", select Take a Credit.
5. If it asks if wish to take the simplified election, say yes.
6. Income Category:  Select Passive Income (this is the correct category for bank interest)
7. .Add the Country: Click Add a Country and select India.
8. Report the Income (Part 1): * On the "Other Gross Income" screen, enter a description (e.g., "Indian Bank Interest") and the Total USD amount of the interest. 
9. Continue through the screens (skipping expenses and losses if they don't apply) until you reach "Foreign Taxes Paid - India".
10. Enter the amount of foreign tax you paid in the Foreign Taxes box. 
11. Select the Date Paid (or the date it was withheld).