Why doesn't the foreign tax credit show up on Schedule 3, Line 1 of my 1040?

If the foreign tax credit doesn't show up on Schedule 3, Line 1 of your 1040, one possibility is that you don't have any amounts on Form 1040, Line 15. This can happen if you're under the filing threshold or if you haven't finished entering all your income yet.

Another possibility is that you took the deduction instead of the credit. In this case, it'll show up on Schedule A, Line 6 as other taxes.

If you want to switch from the deduction to the credit:

1. Open or continue your return.
2. Search for foreign tax credit and select Jump to foreign tax credit.
3. Read the screens and on the Do you want the deduction or the credit? screen, select Take a Credit and proceed.

Most people are better off taking the credit as it's a dollar-for-dollar reduction in your taxes.