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

by TurboTax •   38
Updated December 11, 2025 8:34 AM

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.

Follow these steps to determine if you want to switch from the deduction to the credit. Most people are better off taking the credit as it's a dollar-for-dollar reduction in your taxes.

  • Open or continue your return.

  • Navigate to the foreign taxes section:

    • TurboTax Online/Mobile: Go to foreign taxes.

    • TurboTax Desktop: Search for foreign tax credit and select the Jump to link.

  • Follow the onscreen instructions, and on the Do you want the deduction or the credit? screen, select Take a Credit and proceed.

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