How to handle tax return for incarcerated person.

[mikeburg]

A mother of an incarcerated person brought me his W2's for 2014.

She does have his legal power of attorney.

The person will have a few hundred dollars in refund.

How do I file it where she gets the refund check for her son.

The mother is a long time tax client.

I appreciate any input so very much. mikeburg

[David1980]

Assuming the power of attorney covers the cashing of checks it should just be a matter of presenting the POA to the bank. Would be easier to do direct deposit to the son's bank account if the son has one.

Depending on when he gets out, maybe just wait for the son to get out and he can cash the check. Or apply it to estimated tax payments if nothing else will work - that kicks the can down a year to next year.

[Roberts]

You don't need power of attorney to deposit the funds into his account. Just write on the back For Deposit Only.

If she's cashing it, POA can handle that or he could sign it over to her next time she visits him.

[Toobusy]

A mother of an incarcerated person brought me his W2's for 2014.

She does have his legal power of attorney.

The person will have a few hundred dollars in refund.

How do I file it where she gets the refund check for her son.

The mother is a long time tax client.

I appreciate any input so very much. mikeburg

Since she have power of Attorney, you can file it and she can sign for him. She would Sign her name/POA for (write his name). Put her address on it, and have it mailed to her. When she receives it, have him sign it when she go visit him.

For the deposit, as another responder replied - write "for deposit only" and deposit it into your bank account. However, some banks are cautious of federal checks. So, if the bank reject it because it is a federal tax return (and it may), then she can take the POA to the bank. However, to be on the safe side, I would suggest she to go into the bank and deposit it. Take your POA with her, and if they have any problems, she can show them the POA.

[mikeburg]

Thank you so much.

Many, Many, Many thanks. I really appreciate your different opinions. mikeburg

[mikeburg]

Does the income TP earned before prison qualify for EIC?

(1) Des the income TP earned before going to prison qualify for EIC?

(2) In other words, is it prison income that does not qualify for EIC?

As you can see after all these years, this is the 1st incarcerated taxpayer's tax return I have ever done!
I just want to make sure I am reading the instructions correctly because I do not want to get the TP's mother (POA) in trouble since I highly respect her trying to help her son on this even though she can't afford him around her any more!

Do I need to make this question a new post?

Thanks for any answers you may have. mikeburg