Can I use Turbo Tax to file for my mom who has dementia and is in a nursing home?

[j-cobos]

She is not able to sign her return.

[DoninGA]

Do you have a Power of Attorney for your mom?

[SweetieJean]

Is she married? Does she have any income besides Social Security?

[j-cobos]

No, I don't have power of attorney. She's not married and we moved money from an IRA account to help pay for the nursing facility (back when she could still sign her name.) Other than that, her only income is Social Security.

[xmasbaby0]

You may need to consult an elder care attorney to find out how to now get POA if your mom is not competent to consent.  Some localities have legal services that will give some free advice for at least one session.  Beyond just the tax return situation, you are in the position of handling your mom's finances now ("we moved money...").  You need legal authority to do that.

[Opus 17]

Well, at this point you will need to see a judge to have her placed under guardianship.  The paperwork may be something you can do on your own if you contact the court.  But there are also lawyers who will help, including specialty legal services for elderly and estate planning.  There are a lot more issues to think about besides a tax return.  Medicaid asset protection.  End of life/living Will/health care proxy.  Wills and inheritance.  Etc.  This could have all been taken of when she was still competent, now it will be more difficult.  Hopefully she made her wishes clearly known before she became too ill.  I strongly recommend you see an elder care attorney.  There is a lot you need to know and plan for.  

[Opus 17 · Accepted solution]

You will need a power of attorney.  In that case, you can complete the tax return but you can't e-file.  Print and file by mail, sign your mother's name then "poa" and your name, and attach a copy of the POA to the return when you mail it.

If using TT online, you will need a separate account, since each account can only file one return for one person.  It may be more cost effective to use Turbotax installed on your own computer from a CD or download if you need to file more than  one return.

If you don't have power of attorney, you will need to go to the surrogate's court and have yourself named as your mother's guardian.  Hopefully though, you did some advance planning when your mother was diagnosed but while she was still competent.