topic Third Party Designee - how to add this in TurboTax online? Filing for relative with dementia. I am the POA. in Get your taxes done using TurboTax

Third Party Designee - how to add this in TurboTax online? Filing for relative with dementia. I am the POA.

Ak5234 — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 12:02:44 GMT

As in previous years, we plan to prepare as "self-prepared" because I am a family member nota CPA; however, more concerned this year as health has declined. I see this as an option on Page 3 of 1040-SR, but how can you add this in Turbo Tax?

Re: Third Party Designee - how to add this in TurboTax online? Filing for relative with dementia. I am the POA.

VolvoGirl — Mon, 20 Feb 2023 19:07:34 GMT

Sorry you can only do that in the Desktop CD/Download program using Forms Mode.

Re: Third Party Designee - how to add this in TurboTax online? Filing for relative with dementia. I am the POA.

Ak5234 — Mon, 20 Feb 2023 19:09:59 GMT

OK thank you. Is there a way to update to this? Or how can I use that product?

Re: Third Party Designee - how to add this in TurboTax online? Filing for relative with dementia. I am the POA.

VolvoGirl — Mon, 20 Feb 2023 19:12:18 GMT

Yes you can switch to the Desktop program.

You can move your Online file to the Desktop program and continue without paying for Online or needing to reenter your info. If you already paid for the Online version you can ask them for the Desktop program. And you can buy a lower version Desktop program. All the Desktop programs have the same forms. You just get more help and guidance in the higher versions.

To continue in the desktop version see this…….

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/choosing-a-product/help/how-do-i-switch-from-turbotax-online-to-the-turbotax-software/00/26129

Download the .tax2022 file for free

How do I save my TurboTax Online return as a tax data file?

After you get the program installed the first thing to do before you open your tax return .tax file is to update the program and install any state programs you had. Then open your file. So you first might need to start a fake return to be able to download the state program (go to FILE - NEW). Just enter some basic personal info like your name and address then click on the State tab at the top and it should ask if you want to download the state program.

You can buy the CD/Download here or in stores. You need a full Windows or Mac computer to install it.

https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/cd-download

Re: Third Party Designee - how to add this in TurboTax online? Filing for relative with dementia. I am the POA.

Ak5234 — Mon, 20 Feb 2023 19:14:52 GMT

I have already paid for the online version, which is how I was able to download the forms to review.

Do you have guidance on if this Third party designee is advised?

Re: Third Party Designee - how to add this in TurboTax online? Filing for relative with dementia. I am the POA.

VolvoGirl — Mon, 20 Feb 2023 19:18:39 GMT

Since you paid for Online you can ask customer service to put the Desktop download in your account.

How to contact Turbo Tax
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/using-turbotax/help/how-do-i-contact-turbotax/00/26991

What is the Turbo Tax phone number
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/using-turbotax/help/what-is-the-turbotax-phone-number/00/25632

Re: Third Party Designee - how to add this in TurboTax online? Filing for relative with dementia. I am the POA.

LRL1165 — Sun, 26 Feb 2023 15:33:30 GMT

I already have the desktop/CD version to start with. There are no questions allowing the option to input a third part designee nor can it be overridden the Forms mode. What am I missing? Thanks

Re: Third Party Designee - how to add this in TurboTax online? Filing for relative with dementia. I am the POA.

fanfare — Sun, 26 Feb 2023 15:44:10 GMT

look for the form called "1040 Wks".

or "Info Wks".

Re: Third Party Designee - how to add this in TurboTax online? Filing for relative with dementia. I am the POA.

Carl — Sun, 26 Feb 2023 15:52:07 GMT

You can not input third party designee information using interview mode in any version of TurboTax, be it desktop or online.

With the desktop version, you will have to switch to forms mode, fine the appropriate form or worksheet and manually type it in. Note also that I would not be surprised if doing that did not allow you to e-file. If so, then you have no choice but to print, sign and mail the tax return to the IRS. Same would hold true for a state return if a state return is involved here.

Since TTX is offering "full service" this year, it's a toss-up if you'll be able to e-file or not, with a third party designee in the "preparer" location of the 1040.

Re: Third Party Designee - how to add this in TurboTax online? Filing for relative with dementia. I am the POA.

fanfare — Sun, 26 Feb 2023 16:02:32 GMT

Using a worksheet does not prevent you from e-Filing.

only "override" does that.

Re: Third Party Designee - how to add this in TurboTax online? Filing for relative with dementia. I am the POA.

Carl — Sun, 26 Feb 2023 16:10:46 GMT

Using a worksheet does not prevent you from e-Filing.

But doesn't the third party designated still need a PTIN?

Re: Third Party Designee - how to add this in TurboTax online? Filing for relative with dementia. I am the POA.

fanfare — Sun, 26 Feb 2023 16:34:45 GMT

No PTIN box and not required.

It can be anybody who helped you fill out your taxes and understands it better than you do,

Or is just willing to help you deal with the IRS.

Re: Third Party Designee - how to add this in TurboTax online? Filing for relative with dementia. I am the POA.

SomebodyInGNV — Wed, 15 Mar 2023 10:28:24 GMT

I didn't find the third-party field until I already e-filed my Dad's return yesterday and the IRS accepted it. We'd like to add that to his return. Can I resubmit it? Does that require a 1040-X?

Re: Third Party Designee - how to add this in TurboTax online? Filing for relative with dementia....

JohnW152 — Wed, 15 Mar 2023 15:33:52 GMT

You can't re-submit your return if it's been accepted in eFile, and you won't generally file Form 1040-X for an administrative issue such as this.

However, you might consider filing a Form 8821, Tax Information Authorization with the IRS.

This will authorize you to inspect and/or receive your father's confidential information verbally or in writing for the type of tax and the years or periods listed on the form. You don't have to be an individual authorized to practice before the IRS, as you would with a Power of Attorney.

Please see the IRS' Power of Attorney and Other Authorizations page for more information.

@SomebodyInGNV

Re: Third Party Designee - how to add this in TurboTax online? Filing for relative with dementia....

fanfare — Wed, 15 Mar 2023 15:55:01 GMT

If you filed correctly there should not be any need for correspondence with IRS.

@SomebodyInGNV

Re: Third Party Designee - how to add this in TurboTax online? Filing for relative with dementia....

SomebodyInGNV — Wed, 15 Mar 2023 20:47:53 GMT

Of course. If.

Re: Third Party Designee - how to add this in TurboTax online? Filing for relative with dementia....

SomebodyInGNV — Wed, 15 Mar 2023 20:48:50 GMT

Thanks. I take the 8821 approach.

Re: Third Party Designee - how to add this in TurboTax online? Filing for relative with dementia....

retiarius — Fri, 21 Feb 2025 20:01:05 GMT

I've been e-filing Turbotax returns for family members for years, long ago learning the trick to mark

the "Third Party Designee" fields with the Info Worksheet. (Aside: much customer support would be

saved by having it be an interview question.)

Nevertheless, although actually it appears on the Form 1040 hardcopy, it doesn't appear to flow

through to the IRS. The reason I can tell is that several times I've needed to call IRS to talk about

a return where I'm the designee. It's a black hole -- the rep says "I don't see anything in the

file about that", and then mentions Form 8821.

So, to Intuit -- can you get this to be a useful flow-thru item to IRS by generating the Form 8821

on behalf of the designee? If that can't be done for legal reasons (wet signature, notary, etc.)

please remove the tease entirely, or inform users that designees cannot be done without

extra physical copy work.

Re: Third Party Designee - how to add this in TurboTax online? Filing for relative with dementia. I am the POA.

kerryj2000 — Sun, 23 Mar 2025 18:08:31 GMT

Can't do it anymore - Intuit's 2024 desktop is awful. Company is very greedy - don't if you have other options

Re: Third Party Designee - how to add this in TurboTax online? Filing for relative with dementia....

MonikaK1 — Sun, 23 Mar 2025 19:39:51 GMT

If you have Power of Attorney for a mentally disabled family member, you can use TurboTax to file for them but technically you would need to paper-file the return signed as POA, and submit a Form 2848 to the IRS showing that the POA is authorized to sign the tax return. Use designation "f" for family member if none of the other designations (CPA, EA, attorney, etc.) applies.

Note that the TurboTax licensing agreement specifies that the product may not be used by a paid return preparer.

@kerryj2000