Foreign address in W-2 and "we are missing your state and zip code"

Forum|Forum|6 years ago
January 19, 2020
2 replies
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At first I thought I could not use TurboTax because I'm a foreigner from Mexico who worked temporarily in the US with a TN visa, however, after trying to file through Sprintax and entering the dates I've been in the US under different Visas, I'm told I'm considered a resident for taxes purposes due to the amount of days I was in the US in the previous years as a tourist on top of the days I was there working.

My issue now is that TurboTax SAYS I can file from a foreign address, but it won't let me move on past a certain point if I've entered a foreign mailing address, even tho I've done it in the right spot in the dropdown menu. It will pop up a "we are missing your state and zip code" message. (I'm using a dummy phone number as well because I do not have a US based phone number, it was the only way it let me move on from that spot as well)

I was advised by TurboTax through twitter to enter a US mailing address if I had access to one, even tho I am stating that as of december 2019 my residence is and has been outside the US.

When I do this, TurboTax allows me to move forward, but I'm wondering: Is it an issue that my mailing address in TurboTax is in the US, while my address in the W-2 form is in mexico?

I'm getting conflicting information from TurboTax, on twitter they told me that it would be better if the W-2 has a US address, but on the phone and on my first round of asking on twitter they said it was okay and it wouldn't affect me at all, This is my first time doing this and I want to get it right, so any help would be really appreciated.

Carl

Level 11

Don't know who you talked to at TurboTax. But it's obvious that either they are wrong, or one of you completely mis-understood the other.

Enter your W-2 as printed, and don't go changing stuff or using made-up addresses. You can enter a foreign address *IF* you select the "other" option. Take a look at the attached screenshot. I've circled in red what you need to change.

monrobAuthor

Level 2

Hey Carl, thanks a lot for replying!

That's not the kind of screen I see, I uploaded my W-2 directly from my employer, when I'm filling the the personal information section in turbotax I'm just asked about my state of residence (whether it's foreign, which I pick and then it doesn't ask me any further details) and then my mailing address, whether it's in the US or Foreign and such, and to enter it.

When I enter my actual foreign address, it doesn't let me move forward and throws me the "we are missing your state and zip" even tho they're right there, let me know if you need screenshots.

monrobAuthor

Level 2

You may have a problem with the Mexican State and postal code. If those are correct and they match, the error should go away.

Please see the attached TurboTax website: How do I enter a foreign address in TurboTax? For further information.

@RobertG Thank you for replying, I followed the instructions you mentioned to the letter, but this is what happens:

1. My mexican state and postal code are correct.

2. I entered the foreign address as instructed (I am set as "Foreign", and my Country is correct in the mailing address.

3. When I keep moving forward, right after clicking "get ready to save and file your return" (which I'm doing just to see if there is no error) I once again get the "oops, it looks like we're missing some of your info like state and zip" error, and it only gives me the option to go back to my info.

I've seen some similar problems in the forums and this might be relevant:

I'm using the free turbotax edition, and initially set it to be "paid for" with my own tax return, is this a problem when filing from a foreign address and how can I change my payment method if so? I saw you have to pay with a U.S credit card, and I only have a U.S debit card, since I'm using the free edition I don't see why it would be a problem to have it "pay" with my return, which is being routed to a U.S bank account.