Taxes for a Jail Bird

[mths]

Client has w2's for his incarcerated son and also has POA, what is the procedure for doing taxes for someone in jail...

[DTS]

Jailed client

Mths,

Some years ago, I had a client that was serving a sentence and his wife gave me the W-2 from the prison and I prepared their return as I always did. Seems like there was a code on the W-2 showing this was prison income??? She signed the return for both (POA) and there was no problem.

You should have no problem with this.

Dennis

[mths]

Jail Sentence

No W 2from the jail, just a couple of small jobs. he has been in jail for about 3 months now. thank you for the response..... Does this effect EIC, he meets the age and income requirements...........

[jainen]

to sign a tax return

>>what is the procedure for doing taxes for someone in jail<<

Even in jail he can get visitors and mail. A general power of attorney probably does not authorize the father to sign a tax return.

[Chief]

Signature while in Prison

The prison guards on Visitation Day will have the inmate sign legal documents and then give them to you. Other wise an attorney can get a signature from an inmate. I would see no reason you couldn't get a power of attorney signed that would allow you to sign legal documents for the inmate.

[thomtax]

Return signatures

I did returns for an individual that was in prison. His mother brought in the necessary information, W2s, etc. Then, on visiting day she took the forms to him, got them signed and brought them back to me. She was allowed to do this by contacting the officials before visiting and getting it approved.

LT

[Lion]

Prison

Our office did one of these last year. Everything was mailed back and forth. But, do NOT use address labels, return address labels, etc. -- that's one way drugs are smuggled in. Address the envelope directly on the envelope. I had one a few years back. Wife brought everything in, then took papers to husband to sign during visitation and returned all to me. Really doesn't take any longer than if one spouse travels a lot...

[Gary]

In Arizona

In Arizona, if you have been in prison more than 60 days, their is an AZ tax credit for which you are ineligible (a credit for lower income taxpayers).

Gary