What is innocent spouse rule?

What is innocent spouse rule?

The innocent spouse rule is a provision of U.S. tax law, revised most recently in 1998, which allows a spouse to seek relief from penalties resulting from underpayment of tax by a spouse.

Why would a married couple file separately?

Filing separately even though you are married may be better for your unique financial situation. Reasons to file separately can include separation, divorce, liability issues, and deduction scales. There are also many disadvantages of filing separately that couples should evaluate prior to choosing this option.

Who is responsible for IRS debt in a divorce?

If you and your spouse jointly filed your tax returns when married, then both of you will be liable to the IRS. It means that they can collect 100% of the debt (tax, interest and penalties) from either spouse.

What to do if you owe the IRS a lot of money?

Don’t panic. If you cannot pay the full amount of taxes you owe, you should still file your return by the deadline and pay as much as you can to avoid penalties and interest. You also should contact the IRS to discuss your payment options at

Will the IRS Forgive my tax debt?

The IRS rarely forgives tax debts. Form 656 is the application for an “offer in compromise” to settle your tax liability for less than what you owe. Such deals are only given to people experiencing true financial hardship.

Can the IRS take money from your bank account without notice?

The IRS cannot freeze and seize monies in your bank account without proper notice. This is another tactic by the IRS to get your attention. Once your bank receives a notice of seizure of your funds, your bank has an obligation to hold the money for at least 21 days before paying it over to the IRS.

What happens if you owe the IRS more than 50000?

6. Some agreements come with a federal tax lien. However, if your client owes more than $50,000 (which is rare) or owes more than $10,000 and can’t pay within six years, the IRS will usually file a tax lien.

How long does the IRS give you to pay off a debt?

Your specific tax situation will determine which payment options are available to you. Payment options include full payment, short-term payment plan (paying in 120 days or less) or a long-term payment plan (installment agreement) (paying in more than 120 days).

Do IRS installment agreements affect credit?

Agreeing to pay a tax bill via an installment agreement with the IRS doesn’t affect your credit. IRS installment agreements are not reported to the credit reporting agencies. The IRS offers a few payment options for taxpayers who can’t pay their taxes all at once, including online payment agreements.