Can I prepare taxes for another person (online) under my email, in a way that lets them approve?

[DLE-1]

If I would like to prepare a tax return for my adult brother or mother, is this accomodated by Turbo Tax? ...basically as an unpaid 3rd party preparer?  

When I am done, can it send them a link to approve and eSign?

[xmasbaby0]

You can prepare a return for another person but they need their own account, user ID and email.  You can provide them with that information so they can look at the return.

When you use online TurboTax software you get one return per fee.

Each return needs its own email, account and user ID.   If you use the same account and user ID for a second return, the second one overwrites the first return and it is lost forever.  

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/using-turbotax/help/how-do-i-start-another-return-in-turbotax-onli...

https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/online/file-your-own-taxes/

[user17759505776]

In the AI conversation within the online TT app, the responses conveyed that if the taxpayer data entered during tax prep in TT differs from the preparer name,  Turbo tax  concludes that there is a 3rd party preparer, and upon completion, will automatically email a link to the taxpayer to finish by reviewing the return, approving, and submitting with their own eSignature. 

I am hoping this is accurate and its not hallucinating! 

[user17759505776]

...noting it had to be a dedicated account with a differentiated user name. Only one person's returns allowed per Online account.

[user17759505776]

Here is the snip of the conversation...

From the AI:

TurboTax Online allows you to prepare a return for someone else, and when the preparer and taxpayer are different, it identifies the third-party preparer scenario. In this case, TurboTax securely sends the taxpayer a link to review the return, provide their eSignature (such as on Form 8879), and submit the eFile themselves.

This process happens relative to the prepared return and originates from the preparer's TurboTax account. Thus, TurboTax facilitates secure taxpayer authorization and filing while maintaining compliance with IRS rules for third-party eFile authorization.

From Me:

So they don't need to open their own account?

From the AI:

When TurboTax sends the secure link to the taxpayer to review, eSign, and eFile a return prepared by a third-party preparer, the taxpayer typically does not need to create their own separate TurboTax account. They can complete these steps through the secure link provided by the preparer. This process allows the taxpayer to authorize the filing while maintaining IRS compliance without opening a new TurboTax account.

However, the exact experience may vary slightly depending on the specific TurboTax product and workflow being used.

[SharonD007]

No, you can't prepare a tax return for someone else under your Online Account and send them a link to approve in TurboTax.  AI answered your question incorrectly.  TurboTax is only licensed for personal use and not third party providers.

To file an additional return using TurboTax Online, you will need to create a new account.  

[user17759505776]

Just to clarify, this would not be the account I use for personal tax returns, but a dedicated account used to help prepare a return on behalf of  a family member.  As a family member, I would be assisting--as a non-paid preparer--in this scenario.

[DawnC]

You don't want to have multiple SSN and tax histories on the same account.   Go to this TurboTax website and click on Sign up to create a new account - Get Started