In addition to the taxpayer (and spouse for MFJ and MFS filing statuses) SSN, name, and birthday, the Name & Address menu contains other personal information important to preparing the tax return. Following is an overview of the other fields in this window.
Dependent on Another Return - Two questions are asked here:
- Can Someone Else Claim the Taxpayer as a Dependent? or
Can Someone Else Claim the Spouse as a Dependent? - If this question is answered Yes, the check box at the top of the tax return indicating the taxpayer or spouse can be claimed as a dependent will be checked and a second question is asked: - Did Someone Else Claim the Taxpayer as a Dependent? or
Did Someone Else Claim the Spouse as a Dependent? - Answer this question as appropriate.
SSN Not Valid for EIC - If the taxpayer's and/or spouse's SSN is not valid for Earned Income Credit purposes, select SSN Not Valid for EIC then select Yes. An SSN is not valid for EIC purposes if it was issued after the tax return's filing deadline, including extensions.
Blind - If the taxpayer and/or spouse is blind on the last day of the tax year and they are not itemizing deductions, an increased standard deduction applies. To qualify, the taxpayer and/or spouse must be partially or totally blind. See here for the particular requirements to be considered blind.
Deceased - If the taxpayer and/or spouse are deceased, enter their date of death. The date of death will print at the top of Form 1040 along with the word "Deceased". In a MFJ return, you'll be asked if the other spouse is filing as a surviving spouse. Answer Yes.
Student - If the taxpayer and/or spouse is a full time student during the tax year, answer Yes. The answer to this question affects eligibility for certain tax credits.
Campaign Fund - The Presidential Election Campaign Fund reduces candidates’ dependence on large contributions from individuals and groups and places candidates on an equal financial footing in the general election. If the taxpayer wants $3 to go to this fund, indicate that here. If filing a joint return, the spouse can also indicate $3 go to the fund. This election has no effect on the bottom line of the tax return, whether a balance due or a refund.
Driver's License - Enter the driver's license or other ID information here. This information isn't needed for federal income tax purposes, but it carries to the taxpayer's bank product application, if the taxpayer is using a bank product to facilitate their refund, as well as to state tax returns.
ID Protection PIN - If the taxpayer or spouse was issued a 6-digit Identity Protection PIN from the IRS, enter the pin in the ID Protection PIN field. The IP PIN prints in the signature block of Form 1040. Note that If the IRS has issued the taxpayer, the spouse, and/or a dependent an IP PIN, the e-filed return will reject if the PIN isn't included. Also note that the IP PIN changes annually, and the IRS notifies PIN-holders in late December or early January of their PIN for the year. This PIN goes on all current year and prior year tax returns the taxpayer files that year.
In Care Of - If the taxpayer is deceased, and there isn't a spouse filing as a surviving spouse, enter the name of the person filing on behalf of the taxpayer here, e.g., the court-appointed representative or other individual filing on the taxpayer's behalf. If Form 1310 is being filed with the return, this field will automatically populate with the name of the individual indicated there who is claiming the refund.
Lived Half the Year in U.S. - One of the first questions you're asked when creating a tax return is if the taxpayer and spouse lived more than half the year in the U.S. Your answer appears here. The answer to this question affects their eligibility for certain tax credits.
Address - Enter the taxpayer's current residence address or P.O. box number if they use that for mail. If the taxpayer's current residence is a foreign address, check the "Foreign Address" check box and enter the address as appropriate. The main caveat for a foreign address is to enter only the city name in the city field.
Telephone - Up to three telephone numbers can be entered for the taxpayer. (Only numbers that conform to the North American Numbering Plan can be entered.) You may find it useful to relabel the default names for each field, "Phone 1", "Phone 2", and "Phone 3", changing them to a label that describes the kind of number to go in the field, e.g., Cell, Home, and Work. This can be done in program configuration. See here for more information.
E-Mail Address - Enter the taxpayer's and/or spouse's e-mail address. If you're using Paper Cut, this address will be used when e-mailing the taxpayer a copy of their return.
Military Address - If the taxpayer is in the military and has a different address than their current permanent address, enter this address here.