Information on tax responsibility after separation
I am in serious debt due to IRS backtaxes my husband did not pay, I am now separated. Do I still owe the tax debt?
I am in serious debt due to IRS backtaxes my husband did not pay, also because he was not working last year, we lost our cars and credit. We don't own anything, we separated and now I live with my mom. I got a new job and now IRS says I cannot file as seperated, head of househould until I resolve our debts. Meanwhile, he is still unemployed and avoiding all debt and responsibility. How do I get out of this debt and restart? Also, is there anyway I can speed up being on my own so I can less taken out of my w2? I have 3 little girls and I just can't use them as dependants. Any suggestions? Also, why is your company different than any other that is out there?
By
Bills Staff
Published: Jan 9, 2008
First, let me say that I'm sorry to hear about your financial situation. Clearly you are going through a lot of issues with your husband, the IRS and other debts.
Now that you are separated from your husband you cannot do a joint resolution of the tax debt with him. You owe the tax debt 100% as does he. This is called joint and several liabilities. You'll have to work out a deal with the IRS and he'll have to do the same for his tax debt.
You may file Married Filing Separated for 2007 tax year but not Head of Household while you are still legally married.
An Offer in Compromise may be an option for getting rid of your tax liability. This is a fresh start where your tax obligation is wiped out for a one-time offer amount. The problem may be that you are not working. It's hard sometimes for the IRS to grant this wipe-out of the tax when you are in a temporary unemployment situation. However, it may work if you had low income for the years before you became unemployed.
Another option would be to get "currently not collectable" status. If you can prove to the IRS that you could not afford to make any payment to them on the IRS tax, then they may hold all collection action for one year through this process.
You can have less money withheld from your check by filing an IRS form W-4 and claiming more dependents. Make sure you don't over-do it though. The less you have taken out for taxes in your paycheck, the more you'll have to come up with when you do file your tax returns in April.
Freedom Tax Relief has the highest ratio of licensed agents (Attorneys or Enrolled Agents) per client of any national firm.
I hope the information provided helps you Find. Learn. Save.
Best,
Bill
www.bills.com
