TurboTax Desktop to Prepare Children's Taxes as an unpaid preparer

[BarryGraham]

My newly married daughter wants me to do their taxes.  Of course I am not charging them so I am not a paid preparer.  Can I use my TurboTax for this?  Does the restriction on paid preparers apply to unpaid preparers too?

[DoninGA]

No the restriction does no apply to unpaid preparers. 

To start another tax return using the desktop editions, click on the File menu at the top left of the desktop program screen.  Then click on New Tax Return.

[xmasbaby0]

Yes, you can use your desktop software to prepare returns for your family members.  That is one of the big reasons to use desktop software--it is much more cost effective to prepare returns for multiple family members using desktop software.

You do not have to be a "paid preparer" to use your software for your daughter's return.   Her return will simply show that it is "self-prepared" since it will be prepared using do-it-yourself tax software.

Your name does not go anywhere at all on their tax return.

[BarryGraham]

Thanks, what happens about signing though?  How do I sign the return electronically if I am preparing it for someone else and TT is not designed for preparers, without pretending to be someone else?

[TomK2023]

If you use TurboTax Desktop, you can file five federal returns with up to three state returns each.

No more than five Intuit accounts and five corresponding federal returns (for example, for a family of five) may be created, purchased, and filed using any one email address.

Per IRS rules, you can only e-file up to five federal returns using the same email address or phone number with personal tax return preparation products.

Our license agreement doesn't allow TurboTax to be used for commercial or professional tax preparation.

TurboTax FAQ: How many tax returns can I file with TurboTax?

[xmasbaby0 · Accepted solution]

There are no physical signatures on an e-filed return.   An e-filed return is "signed" electronically by entering each of their 2023 AGI amounts from their 2023 Form 1040 line 11.   Or if they have an IP PIN from the IRS you will also include that.   If for some reason they want to file by mail, then they use pens and each of them signs and dates the Form 1040 on the line that says "Sign here."