Filing for someone else

[Schason]

My bf is currently incarcerated and got his tax document from his job before he went to prison. Can I file it for him?

[MinhT1]

The filing taxpayer has to sign his own return.

However, you can file a tax return for him if you have a power of attorney (form 2848) duly signed and filed with the IRS.

[Schason]

Well he did say he thinks he has the power of attorney form. So if he does what is the next step? 

[JohnW152]

If your boyfriend has signed Form 2848, Power of Attorney, then:

If you paper-file your boyfriend’s return through the mail, simply attach the signed Form 2848 to the complete return.

If you eFile his return, however, the process is a bit more complicated.  You'll eFile the return as normal through TurboTax.  Then, you'll need to send both the signed Form 2848 and the IRS' Form 8453, U.S. Individual Income Tax Transmittal for an IRS e-file Return to the IRS.  On Form 8453, you'll check the second checkbox, for "Form 2848, Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative."  There's no signature requirement on Form 8453.  The mailing address for these items is on page 2 of Form 8453.

CAUTION:  If you've eFiled your boyfriend’s return, do not include a copy of the return with the Form 2848/8453 package you're sending.  It could become detached from the forms you're sending in, the IRS could process it as an original return, and all kinds of problems could ensue. 

[Schason]

I was also thinking the mail in return would be easier but would there be a place on the form to put a new address to receive the check or will there be a place to put back account info for direct deposit?

[Vanessa A]

Yes, the top of the form is where the address is entered.  This is the address where a check would be mailed.  Line 35 is where a bank account number can be entered for 35.  TurboTax will collect both your address and your bank account number to autofill. 

[Schason]

So if he wanted to do the e-file, would we put the prisons address? And could he use my bank account info for the direct deposit? 

If he chose the mail in option, would we put the prisons address for the check to be mailed to? Not sure how they would cash it though....

[Vanessa A]

It depends.  Does he have a place he will be living when he is released from prison?  Will he be living with you?  If so, you can use your address or if he has a relative where the rest of his mail is sent, you can use that address. Where do his bank statements go?

You can use the prison address, but you would have to talk to someone there to determine how a refund check would be handled.  Remember whatever address you use will be used for any IRS correspondences, so it may not be as easy for him to respond or address any issues as if it was sent to a non prison address. 

[Critter-3]

He cannot use your bank account to get the deposit ... your bank will not allow it. 

If he will mail in the return then he can sign the form 1040 ... no POA is required. 

And use the address where he can receive mail ... if he will be in less than a year using the prison address is probably not a good choice.   Of course he can always mail in a form 8822 after filing to update his mailing address with the IRS. 

[Schason]

He doesn't know where he will be going when he is released later on in the year. He can always use my address but can I put my bank account info on the return when we file it? 

I will let him know to ask someone at the prison about how to cash a check if it comes there.