Taxes can be challenging for different reasons, and some people could use a little extra help. You might file a tax return for someone else if you have:
- A dependent with earned income
- A deceased family member
- Aging parents
- A friend or relative who doesn’t speak English
Is it legal to file a tax return for someone else?
The IRS says you can file a tax return for someone else as long as you have their permission to do so. Here are a few important things to know before you begin offering your services to others:
- You can file tax returns electronically for up to five people.
- The taxpayer will be held responsible if anything is incorrect.
- As a non-professional, you must not charge a fee for preparing tax returns.
Note: If someone is paying you to file their tax return, you need to apply for a PTIN and use our professional software, TaxSlayer Pro.
Who can legally file taxes for someone else?
An authorized third party can file taxes on behalf of another person. The three types of third-party authorizations include:
- Power of Attorney – An authorized power of attorney is legally responsible for managing a person’s medical and financial affairs.
- Tax Information Authorization – A tax information authorization lets you appoint a designee to review your tax information for the tax years you specify.
- Third-Party Designee – This person can communicate with the IRS on your behalf.
How authorization works:
To make it official, the taxpayer must complete the appropriate IRS form—such as Form 2848 for power of attorney or Form 8821 for tax information authorization. These forms spell out what you’re allowed to do and help ensure the IRS recognizes you as an approved helper. Learn more about authorized third parties at the IRS website.
How do I get permission to file taxes for someone else?
You can get permission to prepare a tax return for someone else with their verbal consent. If you’d like to go the extra mile and have written documentation of the exchange, you can draw up a contract for the two of you to sign. Be sure to keep this document for your records.
What you need to file taxes for someone else
Everybody’s tax situation is different. In addition to personal details like name, birth date, and tax ID number, ask the individual if they have the following information:
- Full name, date of birth, and Social Security number or taxpayer ID
- Income documents such as Form W‑2, Form 1099‑NEC, 1099‑DIV, or 1099‑INT
- Records of deductions or credits (education expenses, medical costs, charitable donations)
- Prior‑year tax return, if available
- Bank account information if a refund will be issued by direct deposit
Need more details? See this complete tax prep checklist of items you’ll want to have on hand. Use it as a guide for yourself and for anyone else you are assisting.
Remember that you can’t accept payment for preparing someone’s return unless you have a Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN). If you’re going to do taxes as a side business or business, you can easily apply for your PTIN on the IRS website.
How to file taxes for someone else using TaxSlayer
- Create a new user account. You will needa separate TaxSlayer account for each return you file. Let’s say you are filing a return for yourself and a return for your cousin. First, you will have a TaxSlayer account with a username and password for your own taxes. Then, you will need to create a second account for your cousin with their own username and password.
- Enter the person’s tax identification number. Be sure that you have correctly entered the taxpayer’s legal name, birth date, and Social Security number. If they don’t have an SSN, you will enter their ITIN instead. What’s an ITIN?
- Follow the step-by-step instructions. You can be guided through the entire tax filing process. You will enter all their basic information and income. TaxSlayer will help you find all the credits and deductions they are eligible to take.
- Submit the return. We’ll notify you once the IRS accepts the return. Your work is most likely done at this point. If you are owed a refund, you will receive it typically as a direct deposit unless you specified another method.
Penalties for filing taxes for someone else without their consent
Filing taxes for someone without their consent is considered identity theft. But unlike underpaying or neglecting to pay taxes, identity theft is a serious offense, and its consequences may go beyond paying a fine. In most cases, legal action will be taken against you for committing identity theft.
According to the Department of Justice’s statement on identity theft, you could face up to 15 years in prison, depending on the severity of the crime.
Special considerations when filing for a dependent or spouse
When filing for a dependent, their tax return must be filed separately if they earned income. You cannot include their income on your own return, but you may still be able to claim them as a dependent if IRS requirements are met.
For a spouse, you may assist with filing a joint return, but both spouses must consent and sign. Filing jointly can affect your combined tax liability, deductions, and eligibility for credits, so accuracy is critical.
Can I claim a refund on behalf of someone else?
While you can file a tax return for someone else, you can’t collect their tax refund. If you do, this is considered tax fraud, and there may be legal consequences for collecting someone else’s tax refund.
Can I pay someone else’s taxes?
Yes, the IRS allows you to pay someone else’s tax bill using Direct Pay, credit card, or check. However, payment does not give you any ownership over the return or refund unless you have formal authorization, such as power of attorney.
How do you know if your family member needs to file a return?
If you have any doubt your relative needs to file a return, you can simply check the federal filing requirements on the IRS website.
If your family member lives in your home and they are elderly, underage, or they have a disability, then they might actually qualify as your dependent. In this case, you could claim them on your own return.
Understand the rules for claiming dependents to make sure that you and your family are getting all the benefits you deserve.
