Inmates and stimulus package

[Ricksister]

Can I file for my brother?? He's incarcerated and doesn't really know much about  taxes or computers 

[npierson7]

Yes, you can. Please keep in mind, you won't be able to e-file the return and an inmate can't claim the earned income credit unless she earned income before going to jail and there is no tax credit for incarceration. Sign the inmate's name to the tax form, attach Form 2848 IRS Form 2848 and mail it to the IRS. 

[mrosemissionbeach]

Can a person with a power of attorney file an income tax return for an inmate?

[npierson7]

Yes, however the return only can be mail to the IRS

[Josh102282]

My son is incarcerated and has been since late 2018. The prisoners have received their stimulus but he has not received any of it. He has asked me to file for it but I don't know where to go or how to do it. Can you please help me with this I know there's a deadline for the stimulus and he's deserving of it.

[DavidD66]

If your son didn't get a first and second Economic Impact Payment or got less than the full amounts, he may be eligible to claim the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit, but must file a 2020 tax return even if not otherwise required to file a tax return.

If you want to file using TurboTax, you will need to create an account for your son.  Do not use your personal account to file a return for your son.  Go to TurboTax - Create an Account.  You will be able to use the Free version of TurboTax Onine.

You will have to fill out all of the personal information, but won't need to report any income or expenses.  You can click on Search and type in "Recovery Rebate Credit" and the program will take you to the section you need to fill out.