Marriage is an exciting, lifelong adventure. However, it is not the easiest journey. When you take on a spouse, you take on his or her problems as well. A doesn't have to be one of them. This page will explain what possible problems a tax debt may cause for a married couple. Also, it will go over what tax help is out there for spouses of taxpayers with debt.
Why You Need Tax Help if You File Jointly
Most tax experts will advise a married couple to file jointly. There are many deductions and tax breaks that most married couples can enjoy. However, if you file jointly with a spouse who made errors on a return or didn't have enough withheld from paychecks, you will need serious tax help.
If your spouse has a history of tax debt, you should probably choose to file separate tax returns. You will be less likely to need tax help if the IRS decides to get aggressive. Even if you and your spouse divorce and the decree states that your spouse is responsible for paying the debt, the IRS will still come after you with levies and garnishments.
In some cases, filing for Innocent Spouse tax help can provide tremendous tax help. If you had no idea that your spouse would owe, this form of tax help can completely absolve you of tax debt. Sometimes, it will simply split the debt so that you are only held responsible for what you would owe if you had filed your own return.
Why You Need Tax Help if You Live in Community Property States
Sometimes, even if you file separately from your spouse the IRS will come after you. If you have a spouse with tax debt and live in a , you will definitely need tax help. The community property states are:
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- Louisiana
- Nevada
- New Mexico
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Texas
Washington
Wisconsin
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In these states, you will need tax help because the IRS has the ability to empty out the bank accounts, seize the assets, and place liens on the properties of separately filing spouses that do not owe. This also applies to registered domestic partners.
Tax Help Options for Spouses
As mentioned before, filing for Innocent Spouse tax help may be able to completely absolve you from tax debt. However, it is not guaranteed to work. If you or your spouse has the ability to pay the tax debt in full, you should do it. Otherwise, the only certain way to protect against liens, levies, and seizures is to enter into a legal agreement with the IRS. The best tax help out there for spouses are the tax programs that are available to all taxpayers that owe. The following are a few options you may want to look into:
If your spouse has a tax debt that's affecting you, the best way to receive tax help is from someone with experience in taxes. Consult a professional. Call (800) 590-4524 now or fill out the form below for a free tax debt consultation to find out what tax help is available for you! We'll only connect you with a tax debt relief company holding at least a B rating with the Better Business Bureau.
