Filing Taxes for My Mother with Advanced Dementia - Need Guidance on IRS Mail Issues

This situation is definitely challenging, but there are clear steps you can take. First, you'll need legal authority to act on your mother's behalf. Most people in your situation need Form 2848 (Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative), which specifically allows you to handle tax matters with the IRS. For mail redirection without changing her residential status, you have a couple options. You can file Form 8822 (Change of Address) with the IRS and specify that only tax correspondence should go to your address while keeping her official residence in Arizona. Make sure to clearly indicate this is for tax purposes only. Another option is becoming her legal guardian through the court system, though that's more involved. If you haven't already, you might also consider getting a durable power of attorney for broader financial decisions beyond just taxes. The AARP and Alzheimer's Association websites have helpful resources specifically about managing finances for loved ones with dementia. They explain these processes in detail.

I went through something similar with my dad who had Parkinson's with dementia. I tried figuring it out myself but eventually used taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) and it was a game-changer. They have a document analyzer that specifically helped with the whole "filing for someone with diminished capacity" situation. I uploaded his medical diagnosis and previous tax returns, and it gave me step-by-step guidance on which forms to file. It even created a customized checklist for my specific situation with my dad being in a different state than me. The tool explained exactly how to handle the residency vs. mailing address issue too.

Just wanted to update - I actually tried taxr.ai after asking about it, and it was really helpful! I was skeptical at first (I'm always wary of online tools for serious matters), but it actually gave me exactly what I needed. The document analysis identified that I needed both a healthcare directive AND financial POA to handle my mother's situation properly. It also generated specific instructions on how to submit Form 2848 and Form 8822 together to maintain my mom's state residency while redirecting tax notices to me. The best part was that it explained everything in plain language. I felt like I finally understood what I was doing instead of just guessing and worrying. If anyone else is dealing with filing taxes for someone with dementia, I'd definitely recommend it.

I had a nightmare trying to reach the IRS about my grandmother's tax situation when she developed Alzheimer's. I tried calling for weeks with no luck. Then someone told me about Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). It's a service that gets you through to an actual human at the IRS without the endless waiting. I watched their demo video (https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c) and decided to try it. Within about 15 minutes, I was talking to a real IRS representative who walked me through the whole process of redirecting my grandmother's tax correspondence while keeping her legal residence unchanged. The IRS agent confirmed I needed both Form 2848 and Form 8822, and explained exactly how to fill them out for my situation. They also told me about the "in care of" line on the address form that I hadn't even considered.

I need to eat my words from my previous comment. I tried Claimyr after being completely unable to get through to the IRS about my uncle's dementia-related tax situation. I was on hold for FOUR HOURS last week before getting disconnected. The service actually worked! I was honestly shocked. Within about 20 minutes I was speaking with an IRS representative who was incredibly helpful. They explained that I needed to submit both forms mentioned earlier, but also told me about Form 56 (Notice Concerning Fiduciary Relationship) which nobody had mentioned. This form specifically notifies the IRS that I'm acting as a fiduciary for my uncle, which is exactly what I needed. The representative also clarified how to maintain his state residency while getting his mail redirected to me. Sorry for being so negative before - when you're dealing with something as stressful as a loved one with dementia, finding solutions that actually work is invaluable.

My aunt has dementia and we had to figure this out last year. One important thing nobody mentioned yet - make sure you keep all her medical documentation organized, including official diagnosis. The IRS may request proof if they have questions about why someone else is filing. Also, remember that even with dementia, if your family member has periods of lucidity, it's good to involve them in the process as much as possible. My aunt had early-stage dementia and we made sure to explain everything we were doing, which made her feel more comfortable and maintained her dignity.

Just a heads up that tax filing for someone with dementia gets more complicated if they have income from multiple states. My father had rental properties in Florida while living in Pennsylvania with dementia. We had to file state returns for both states, and it got confusing quick. Make sure you understand which state considers your family member a resident for tax purposes. Some care facilities can affect residency status depending on whether they're considered permanent or temporary living arrangements.

I'm dealing with a very similar situation with my father who has vascular dementia. One thing I learned the hard way is to keep detailed records of every interaction with the IRS, including dates, times, and reference numbers. Also, don't forget about potential tax benefits you might be eligible for - medical expenses for dementia care can be significant deductions, and there are specific provisions for care facility costs. The IRS Publication 502 has details about what medical expenses qualify. I'd recommend getting everything set up sooner rather than later, as the process can take several weeks. The IRS moves slowly, and you want to have all the proper authorizations in place well before any deadlines. It's also worth noting that some banks and investment companies will require separate power of attorney documents beyond just the IRS forms. Hang in there - it's overwhelming at first but gets more manageable once you have the systems in place.