topic Inmate Taxes in Get your taxes done using TurboTax

Inmate Taxes

Ty241 — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 10:11:58 GMT

can an inmate files taxes or can I claim an inmate on my taxes? Also, the inmate has been a published author for many years now, but never filed. Therefore, it should be possible.

Re: Inmate Taxes

xmasbaby0 — Fri, 05 Jul 2024 18:22:56 GMT

If the inmate has taxable income they can file a tax return. So if the person you are asking about has income from their published work, they might need to file. If they are in prison or a halfway house they are not eligible for earned income credit. As for claiming an inmate as a dependent---it is not possible to pay for over half the inmate's support and claim them since they are being supported by the correctional facility in which they are housed. Money provided to an inmate for incidental expenses, etc. is a gift, which is not deductible on a tax return.

Who has to file?

http://www.irs.gov/uac/Do-I-Need-to-File-a-Tax-Return%3F

Re: Inmate Taxes

rjs — Fri, 05 Jul 2024 18:32:04 GMT

"the inmate has been a published author for many years now, but never filed."

That suggests that he had significant income but did not report it. That's a serious problem. A local tax professional should be consulted.

Is the inmate incarcerated for tax-related reasons, such as tax evasion?