A Power of Attorney gives me authority to “prepare and sign tax returns” for my father.
The IRS says that, as my father’s POA agent, I can submit a tax return if he's “unable to sign the return due to . . . disease or injury.”
But I’m confused about exactly how to use TurboTax for this.
I searched for the answer on Google and on the TurboTax site.
I found 3 completely different answers which contradict each other.
(1) For a return submitted by e-file, some people say that if the POA gives you authority to “prepare & sign” a person’s tax returns, and the person has given you his TurboTax password and Signature PIN, you can submit the return by e-file with no additional steps. Some people say they have done this for years with no problem.
(2) For a return submitted on paper, some people say that you can sign the return like this: Sam Smith by Jane Doe POA. If IRS wants a copy of the POA, they will ask for it. Some people say they have done this for years and IRS has never asked for the POA.
(3) Some people say that to be completely correct and “official,” if you e-file a return for someone else, you must mail a paper copy of forms 2848 and 8453 to the IRS. Form 2848 is the IRS’s own version of a POA. Form 8453 is needed whenever mailing a paper document related to an e-filed return.
Of course, I would prefer to use Method (1). Is that OK to use, or is it illegal?
Is Method (2) OK to use?
Or is method (3) the only legal way to do it?
You'll need to sign in or create an account to connect with an expert.
I believe that option 3 is the correct method and the one that should be used:
The instructions to the 1040 page 25 specifically address this:
If your return is signed by
a representative for you, you must have
a power of attorney attached that specifically authorizes the representative to
sign your return. To do this, you can use
Form 2848.
You would include a copy of the form 2848 if you are filing a paper version. If efiling, you would attach the form 2848 to the form 8453.
Form 8453 has a specific box to check if you are attaching a POA indicating that the individual has authority to sign the tax return:
Form 2848, Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative (or POA that states the agent is granted authority to sign the
return)
I would also recommend when you send in the form 8453 with the POA that you send this certified mail return receipt requested. That way you know that it was received by the IRS; inexpensive insurance !!
I believe that option 3 is the correct method and the one that should be used:
The instructions to the 1040 page 25 specifically address this:
If your return is signed by
a representative for you, you must have
a power of attorney attached that specifically authorizes the representative to
sign your return. To do this, you can use
Form 2848.
You would include a copy of the form 2848 if you are filing a paper version. If efiling, you would attach the form 2848 to the form 8453.
Form 8453 has a specific box to check if you are attaching a POA indicating that the individual has authority to sign the tax return:
Form 2848, Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative (or POA that states the agent is granted authority to sign the
return)
I would also recommend when you send in the form 8453 with the POA that you send this certified mail return receipt requested. That way you know that it was received by the IRS; inexpensive insurance !!
Still have questions?
Make a postAsk questions and learn more about your taxes and finances.
SynQ56
New Member
scfiler25
New Member
morris-tamaralee
New Member
rnsteph18
New Member
MGloeckler
Returning Member
Did the information on this page answer your question?
You have clicked a link to a site outside of the TurboTax Community. By clicking "Continue", you will leave the Community and be taken to that site instead.