POA Form 2848 issues

[UMDJeremy]

I'm trying to prepare form 2848 in order to sign the tax return as a representative on behalf of my client who is overseas and we are having problems e-filing the return so need to paper file it. I've never signed a return for a client like this so was reading the instructions to 2848 and saw Lacerte has the checkboxes to indicate the reason why you are authorized to sign the return and it adds the statement. However there appears to be a glitch in Lacerte as it relates to this. When you check the specific reason "overseas" a statement generates. The statement is correct except it includes the last sentence "No other acts on behalf of the taxpayer are authorized.” Per the instructions to 2848 a representative is only someone eligible to practice before the IRS (CPAs, attorneys and EAs). The instructions for line 5a discusses additional acts authorized including the authority to sign your return and states, "The IRS may grant authority to sign your income tax return to (1) your representative, or (2) an agent (a person other than your representative)." I am the representative of the taxpayer, not an agent. However the statement generated when checking the box for signing the return generates the statement from the instructions meant for an agent. The instructions have different statements that are to be added depending on whether the signer is a representative or agent with the only difference being for an agent the final sentence noted above "No other acts...are authorized" needs to be included. However for a representative that should NOT be included. The instructions also note that an agent does not complete Part II of 2848. Anyway I believe there just should be a checkmark in that section (signing the return reasons input) to indicate whether it's a representative or agent who is signing the return so that the form can be filled out according to the schedule. To get around this now I will simply edit the PDF to remove that sentence and print it but wanted to bring this to your attention.

[IntuitGabi]

Thanks for the idea to add "representative" to the overseas statement on form 2848. We are changing the status to "Open for voting" since it is no longer considered "New".

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