Tax Relief Through Innocent Spouse–How You Can Qualify to Exonerate Your Tax Liabilities
What is more stressful than owing the IRS back taxes? How about owing the IRS back taxes that your spouse or ex-spouse incurred without your knowledge? In the U.S., if your spouse owes the IRS money, it automatically means you share the burden and liability to pay it back. Fun, right?
So how do you exonerate your IRS liabilities when you had nothing to do with the back taxes that your spouse owes? The good news is the IRS does offer an escape for qualified people under the Innocent Spouse Tax Relief option.
Read on for some basics of how to settle your tax liability with the Innocent Spouse Relief:
What is the first step I need to take to obtain Innocent Spouse Tax Relief?
You will need to file Form 8857, a Request for Innocent Spouse Relief with the Internal Revenue Service. Once you file for an Innocent Spouse Claim, the IRS will send you a questionnaire for the purpose of verifying the validity of your story.
It’s a good idea to consult with an experienced tax attorney or Certified Tax Resolution Specialist to help you through the process of sharing your financial information in innocent spouse cases as well as help you craft any additional letters or documentation that will bolster your case.
Once everything is filed, it may take as long as six months for the IRS to contact your former spouse, review the evidence, and render a decision.
Can I file for innocent spouse tax relief without informing my former spouse?
Unfortunately, there is no way to seek innocent spouse tax relief and circumvent a former spouse. In this case, former spouse is defined as officially divorced, legally separated, widowed, or living in a separate household for a 12-month period with no expectation of their return.
The IRS is bound by law to inform the other party of the proceedings, regardless of your history with him or her, or the reasons behind the divorce.
Some victims of domestic violence choose an Offer in Compromise Doubt as to Liability process instead of an innocent spouse defense for resolving their back taxes. Ask your tax attorney or Certified Tax Resolution Specialist about all of your options so you can choose the path that is best for you.
My former spouse has already filed a Form 8857, Request for Innocent Spouse Relief. Can I file one, too?
Yes, both spouses may file for innocent spouse relief for the same year’s tax liability.
Continue reading Innocent Spouse Tax Relief FAQs here.
Bottom line is, don’t get stuck paying for your spouse’s mistake when you didn’t know about it in the first place. Free yourself from this serious tax burden through Innocent Spouse Relief and move on with your life without IRS tax problems.
If you need expert tax help, don’t hesitate to pick up the phone and call a tax attorney or Certified Tax Resolution Specialist. At Tax Resolution Services, we are dedicated to providing affordable expert tax help to taxpayers like you so that you can live your life without the stress and anxiety of tax problems. Call us today at (888) 699-7630 or visit www.TaxResolution.com for a free tax relief consultation.
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