How do I ensure the IRS knows I was stationed overseas with the military. This allows a 2 month extension to file. I didn't see where in turbo tax to input this.

[fanfare]

@MicRic 

DOD says:

"Your command will notify the Internal Revenue Service of your deployment, so you can receive an automatic federal tax return extension. You may still want to write “COMBAT ZONE” in red on top of your tax return when you do file. You can double-check they have this information by e-mailing the IRS directly at: [email address removed] with your name, stateside address, birth date, and date of deployment."

Just being overseas may not be sufficient.

[fanfare]

 that email is combatzone at irs dot gov

IRS says: no need for military personnel to make annotation.

[Opus 17]

I am not aware of the special rules that apply to military deployment, but the IRS has a link below.

The general rule for any overseas person is that they have an automatic two-month extension, but to claim the extension they must file by mail and attach a written statement.  You can't get the automatic extension by e-filing.  If you e-file, you may be considered late.  I would not rely on the IRS to figure it out for you.

https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/us-citizens-and-resident-aliens-abroad-autom... 

Or, you can request the automatic 6 month extension before April 15, that gives everyone until October 15, and this allows e-filing.  But it is too late to get that type of extension.  

[fanfare]

Other tax prep software lets you enter your 2-month out-of-the-country explanation and also e-File.

If TurboTax won't do that, maybe you need better tax software.

[Opus 17]

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@fanfare wrote:

Other tax prep software lets you enter your 2-month out-of-the-country explanation and also e-File.

If TurboTax won't do that, maybe you need better tax software.

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Are you sure that consumer software allows that?  Professional software has many additional capabilities not permitted in consumer software.  The IRS instructions say to attach a written statement.

The one thing that the IRS does allow consumer software to do, that Turbotax can't, is attach PDFs.  A PDF could be used to claim the overseas extension (assuming someone at the IRS reads it).  I believe the technical explanation from a VP was along the lines of, allowing free form attachments could create situations where the tax return would be unacceptable to the IRS, and therefore to make sure every Turbotax return is acceptable to the IRS, attachments are not allowed (in other words, making sure all returns are acceptable by denying a feature to a small percentage of users).  (I don't justify the decision, I am relating an explanation I saw.)

E-filed returns use a strict XML format.  If there was a simple yes/no flag for "claims overseas extension" I would expect Turbotax to include it.  If the extension is claimed by attaching a PDF statement, I can see why some companies would allow it but not Turbotax. 

[fanfare]

@Opus 17 

"If the extension is claimed by attaching a PDF statement, I can see why some companies would allow it but not Turbotax. "

TaxACT supports this by constructing the attachment.

Also  2020 Form 8915-E was e-Filed as an attachment either as .PDF or .TXT,

depending on the tax prep software capabilities. This is invisible to the taxpayer.

[Opus 17]

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@fanfare wrote:

@Opus 17 

"If the extension is claimed by attaching a PDF statement, I can see why some companies would allow it but not Turbotax. "

TaxACT supports this by constructing the attachment.

Also  2020 Form 8915-E was e-Filed as an attachment either as .PDF or .TXT,

depending on the tax prep software capabilities. This is invisible to the taxpayer.

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Yes, but generally Turbotax does not allow free-form PDFs, even though the official e-file standard allows it.  Customers who want to attach free-form PDF explanations will have to consider another provider. 

[fanfare]

Since IRS is now admitting that they have not even started processing 2021 paper returns,

mailing your return is not a good option.

[NCperson]

@fanfare = for what is worth for next year, the IRS committed in the semi-annual report to beef up the efiling so that there are more opportunities to efile / less exceptions and therefore, less paper filed returns.  

[Opus 17]

At any rate, it is well past June 15, and the question is moot.  At this point, if the taxpayer has not filed, they should e-file, and then appeal the penalty if they receive a penalty notice.

For future years, the best way to guarantee the 2 month overseas extension is to request the standard 6 month extension electronically before April 15. That way, the taxpayer can e-file up to October 15 from any software provider without the need for a paper or PDF attachment. 

[fanfare]

Thanks a lot @Opus 17 

When the question was posed, the deadline had not passed.

[Opus 17]

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@fanfare wrote:

Thanks a lot @Opus 17 

When the question was posed, the deadline had not passed.

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I know that.  If we are going to belabor the discussion, we should direct it toward future readers who might find it on a topic search.