If my friend is incarcerated and I have Power of Attorney can I file his taxes through Turbo Tax or Credit Karma?

[mejsunflower]

I have Power of Attorney over my friend because he is incarcerated.  May I file his tax return through Turbo Tax or Credit Karma?

[ToddL99]

Yes, you can file with TurboTax for an incarcerated friend if you have a Power of Attorney that authorizes you to take that action on his/her behalf.

From @Rick19744 , 

"If your return is signed by a representative for you, you must have a power of attorney attached that specifically authorizes the representative to sign your return. To do this, you can use Form 2848. 

You would include a copy of the form 2848 if you are filing a paper version. 

If efiling, you would attach the form 2848 to the form 8453.

Form 8453 has a specific box to check if you are attaching a POA indicating that the individual has authority to sign the tax return:

Form 2848, Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative  (or POA that states the agent is granted authority to sign the return) 

I would also recommend when you send in the form 8453 with the POA that you send this certified mail return receipt requested.  That way you know that it was received by the IRS; inexpensive insurance !!"

[Opus 17]

If you can visit your friend, get them to sign form 2848 for you.  You do not include the power of attorney with your tax return if you have a signed form 2848.  If you cannot visit your friend before the filing deadline, you must still include form 2848 and fill out part 2 where you certify yourself as the taxpayer’s representative. Since your friend cannot sign part one, you would include the a copy of the full power of attorney that they previously signed.  

[Rick19744]

I think @Opus 17 response is confusing.  I would include a copy of the Power of Attorney if you are paper filing the tax return based on the language in the 1040 instructions:

If you have someone prepare your return, you are still responsible for the correctness of the return. If your return is signed by a  representative for you, you must have a power of attorney attached that specifically authorizes the representative to sign your return. To do this, you can use Form 2848.

[Opus 17]

A fully executed form 2848 is a "power of attorney," specifically for income taxes.  You don't have to also send the IRS any other power of attorney form the taxpayer may have completed for other reasons.

If you can't get the taxpayer to sign and execute part 1 of form 2848, then you need to sign part 2 of form 2848 (declaration of representative) and also attach a copy of the other POA form that the taxpayer executed (a state form, prepared by an attorney, etc.)

[Rick19744]

Agree.  This response clears it up.  

[Chey60]

I'm confused about the replies here. You asked about e filing. But turbo tax doesn't support that form for POA. I have POA for my son who was incarcerated after the tax year. I need to file for him and wanted to use turbo tax. How can I e file for him?

[Chey60]

How can you e file as POA if turbo tax doesn't have these forms

[Opus 17]

@Chey60 

You can’t e-file as a power of attorney.

You must print, sign and mail the return.  You must include a fully executed form 2848 (including the signature of the incarcerated person) or a copy of your power of attorney along with form 2848 with part 2 executed (your attestation and signature.)