What is the best Turbotax product for expat tax return filing?

[curious4913]

1.An expat who is senior citizen and US citizen ..wants to file tax return ...I believe Turbotax free edition will not work because she needs to add foreign tax credit ....if so ..what is the best product for her?

2. She has interest income as well as capital gains ..both are passive income.

3. She in residing in India and tax year in India is april 20 to march 21 but in usa its jan to dec. so she has figure out her income between jan to dec 20? if so what is the best way to do it ? does it have to exact or she can prorate ?

4. She has not filed Indian tax return yet because deadline for this year is extended to dec. 21 ..but deadline here is oct 15 which is only 15 days away ....so question is ...to get a tax credit does she must have filed Indian return or she can calculate total income and tax that she is suppose to pay and give that details when she file using TurboTax?

5. Does she need provide/upload any documents as proof of her income for example interest from various banks? or capital gains from brokers?  also does she need to provide any proof that she has already paid Indian taxes before she can claim foreign tax credit?

[GeorgeDenseff]

Start with the Free edition and upgrade when prompted by an entry that Free edition will not handle.  She does not need to upload any documents.  She does need to keep copies of those documents with her tax records.  

She will file US taxes from January through December.

She does not need to send proof of paying her India taxes, but needs to keep that proof with her other income tax records.

[Critter-3]

If you qualify you can use one of the  9   IRS FREE FILE options that will be available mid until 10/15 ... for 2020 your AGI must be $72K or less ...  https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free

[curious4913]

1. You said she does not need to send proof of paying her India taxes. So can she claim foreign tax credit even though she has not paid Indian taxes  or filed Indian tax return  ? (of course based possible Indian tax calculation) 

2. Her total income which includes interest income plus capital gains (both passive income) is about $17.5k 

Her estimated tax liability in India on this amount is about $1650 (less than 125000 INR) - so even though income is above $14050 (above senior citizen's tax return requirement)  her tax liability in USA (approx. $350)  will be less than what she will pay in India.  Does she need to file form 1116 ?

[curious4913]

No comments anyone?