@Darknlovely47 wrote:
How do I file the stimulus for my incarcerated son but he did not file a tax return
Technically, your son must file by mail and sign his own return, if he has no access to a computer and can't e-file.
You have two options, both require his signature.
1. Prepare a return for him, print it, bring it to him for his signature. (I suppose you could mail it to him if the mails are secure.). Once he signs, he or you mails the return to the IRS. If he has no taxable income, he won't be filing a state tax return, just a federal return.
2. Print and mail him a form 2848, power of attorney. He signs it, and mails it back to you. You print his return, sign your own name on the return and write "POA" next to it, and include the form 2848 when you mail the return. Form 2848 is what you would call a "limited" power of attorney. It only gives you authority to file his tax return and to deal with the IRS if they have any issues, it does not give you POA over any other aspect of his life. https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-2848
If you already have a POA from your son, you don't need form 2848 (although the IRS still prefers it). You can file by mail and include a copy of the POA.
If using Turbotax online, the return should be free if he does not have any taxable income. You will need a different account (set up a new account with a different user name and password from the account you use for your own return). Turbotax will tell you that it is not allowed to e-file a return with zero income, that's ok because you need to print and mail the return anyway, using one of the two methods I described.
