Foreign Tax Deduction - General advice requested
#1
Foreign Tax Deduction - General advice requested
This year I've started to receive an occupational pension from a previous employer back on the Isle of Man. Because the Isle of Man does not have an agreement with the US, Manx income tax is deducted at source. I believe I can claim that on my US taxes when I get around to them. I've had a read around the place, including threads on here, and think I know the basics of what I need to do, but would like advice on the simplest of those options.
I've taken a look at Form 1116 and it looks to be a nightmare. I believe I have an option to simply declare the tax as a deduction instead of using Form 1116. (A key advantage of the Form 1116 approach is to enable a carry-over, but that is not going to be a factor.)
The fact that there may be a few dollars difference between the two approaches is not an issue - I'm simply looking for the easiest way of staying legit and if simply taking the deduction removes horrendous set of paperwork, that'll do me.
So, for those that have been through this...
Is Form 1116 as bad as it looks?
I usually use Turbotax if that makes things any friendlier?
Is taking the deduction as simple as declaring the gross figure as income and the tax figure as the deduction?
Thanks.
(I'm getting ahead of the seeming annual rush of tax related threads)
I've taken a look at Form 1116 and it looks to be a nightmare. I believe I have an option to simply declare the tax as a deduction instead of using Form 1116. (A key advantage of the Form 1116 approach is to enable a carry-over, but that is not going to be a factor.)
The fact that there may be a few dollars difference between the two approaches is not an issue - I'm simply looking for the easiest way of staying legit and if simply taking the deduction removes horrendous set of paperwork, that'll do me.
So, for those that have been through this...
Is Form 1116 as bad as it looks?
I usually use Turbotax if that makes things any friendlier?
Is taking the deduction as simple as declaring the gross figure as income and the tax figure as the deduction?
Thanks.
(I'm getting ahead of the seeming annual rush of tax related threads)
#2
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2011
Location: The Shire
Posts: 1,117
Re: Foreign Tax Deduction - General advice requested
It's not easy.
Considerably friendlier, but fake 1099-Rs must be made for it to work. (Disclosure - I've never used TurboTax type software.)
Yes, that's how using the deduction method works.
Last edited by theOAP; Sep 18th 2018 at 3:31 pm.
#3
Re: Foreign Tax Deduction - General advice requested
I'm sure you have searched on Turbotax, but here is one link explaining the foreign tax credit
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=turbotax+1116
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/32...m-1116-i-think
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=turbotax+1116
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/32...m-1116-i-think
#4
Re: Foreign Tax Deduction - General advice requested
I'm sure you have searched on Turbotax, but here is one link explaining the foreign tax credit
LMGTFY
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/32...m-1116-i-think
LMGTFY
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/32...m-1116-i-think
As I understand it I would have a few years to claim the credit so if I get in tangle in a few months then I can simply take the hit for a year...
#5
Re: Foreign Tax Deduction - General advice requested
I know that different folks' brains seem better suited to different fields. Some, like yours, seem well tuned to financial nuances. Mine isn't. Therefore, please be advised that should BE ever launch an 'understatement of the year' competition, you've got my vote - even if you disagree with that view!
Thanks for your response. Very helpful.
#6
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2011
Location: The Shire
Posts: 1,117
Re: Foreign Tax Deduction - General advice requested
Here's the 2017 Schedule A:
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040sa.pdf
Here's the draft proposal for 2018 Schedule A:
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-dft/f1040sa--dft.pdf
Beware, final versions very seldom end up anything like the draft version.
This is the draft of the new 1040:
(Sorry, the link isn't working. Google "Draft 2018 1040"), or try https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-dft/f1040--dft.pdf
Warnings about drafts above apply!
This is the new 2018 1040 Schedule 3 which contains the intermediate reporting between 1116 and the 1040.
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-dft/f1040s3--dft.pdf
Warnings on drafts apply. There will be 6 new intermediate schedules. Not everyone will need all 6.
Tax advisors are rubbing their hands in glee at the thought of being able to charge for the preparation of additional paperwork.
Last edited by theOAP; Sep 18th 2018 at 7:02 pm.