topic filing for child in Get your taxes done using TurboTax

filing for child

jmp-bill — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 13:44:44 GMT

I am finishing my 6 year old's tax return. On the 1040 it says "self-prepared". I am the parent and I am completing the tax filing for my child. How can I change this in turbotax to add my name as the preparer instead of the default, which is "self-prepared" meaning the child prepared it?

Re: filing for child

taxlady28 — Fri, 31 Mar 2023 22:42:19 GMT

You cannot change it in TurboTax. TurboTax is not meant for another person to prepare taxes. In your case, an IRS auditor would understand that the parent had to file the return for the six year old.

Re: filing for child

Smntlbn — Fri, 31 Mar 2023 22:44:35 GMT

I believe that as the legal custodian of the child you are able to use "self-prepared" because you are not a certified tax preparer with a tax preparer id number.