- 1). If you still have a lawyer, you can sometimes request that your lawyer file your taxes. Likely, you or your family will have to pay an extra fee since this is outside a defense lawyer's normal duties. It is worth the fee for more complicated tax situations, such as your spouse buying or selling a home.
- 2). Many people in jail or prison grant power of attorney to either their wives, girlfriends, or other trusted family members. A person with power of attorney can do many things on your behalf, including filing your taxes while you are in jail. Check with the law library or legal canter in your prison to see how this can be done.
- 3). You can file either jointly or separately if you are married, however, your spouse cannot claim you as a dependent while you are in jail. Depending on how long you have been incarcerated, your spouse can take advantage of abandoned spouse rules and file as the head of the household
- 4). Make it easy on your tax preparer and disclose all your sources of income. Also make sure that you start the process well before the 15th of April to make sure that your tax preparer can get all the necessary information while you are in jail. If your prison sponsors any tax workshops, be sure to attend so you can get questions answered.
Source...