This year, for the first time, I did taxes for my 95-year-old father, who files jointly with my mom.
I used his TurboTax Online login (after checking with TurboTax support that this is permitted). I successfully filed their 2024 returns, both federal and state, and also filed amended 2023 returns after finding an error. I was able to pay the balances due for 2023, and the refund for 2024 was successfully sent by the IRS to Dad's checking account. No problem.
My concern is if there are any paper notices from the IRS, they'll be sent to Dad at his assisted living facility. He lives half-way across the country, so I can't stop in and pick them up. And paper notices will only confuse him.
So: how can I get the IRS to send all notices regarding their taxes to me?
Would this problem be solved if I filed a form 56 for each parent? (I'm their attorney-in-fact and trustee for their separate trusts.)
Also, would filing form 56 allow me to create an IRS account on my Dad's behalf? I've tried creating the account, but it requires ID.me identity verification. If the IRS had a form 56 on file, would that allow me to create the account?
Please only respond if you have first-hand experience with these situations.
Thanks!
P.S. I spoke with a Turbo Tax "expert" and also called the IRS. Neither could answer these questions.
