| As surprising as it may sound but every fifth | | | | you marry someone who has unpaid IRS dues, |
| individual in the United States pays the IRS more | | | | you will not be compelled to help make the |
| than what they actually owe, and lets not forget | | | | payment. Well in some states this may be the |
| that this cash can be used elsewhere to earn a | | | | case but in the majority of states, you may be |
| cozy interest but you are lending it to the | | | | accountable to help pay the unpaid tax dues of |
| government free of charge, so lets talk about | | | | your spouse, this particularly holds true in case of |
| what you really owe and how you can find out | | | | the nine community property states. Because, |
| how much needs to paid. | | | | once you get married half of your spouses |
| Have you heard the old adage "the best defense | | | | income is yours and so are half the asset this |
| is an offense" well it certainly holds true in case of | | | | means that you will be held accountable for |
| your tax payments. So in other words, the more | | | | making half the tax payments; however, if your |
| information you have about your rights and the | | | | spouse cannot keep up his / her tax |
| amount that you owe to the taxman; the more | | | | commitments, you will be responsible for paying |
| money you will be able to save and protect | | | | the tax dues of both of you. Don't take this rule |
| yourself from the IRS. | | | | lightly because the IRS can levy half of your |
| Normally, most single people do not have a big | | | | income to recover your spouse's tax dues. |
| problem when it comes to filing their taxes, as an | | | | Additionally, if you have any refunds due from the |
| individual people have a good idea about the | | | | IRS, they may also keep them to repay your |
| amount of money they owe to the IRS; the | | | | spouses tax debt. |
| trouble starts when another person is added to | | | | There is also some ambiguity that people harbor |
| the equation after people get married. | | | | when it comes to understanding the effects of |
| Unfortunately, people often incorrectly assume | | | | divorce on your tax payments. People often |
| that as a married individual each spouse is only | | | | assume that getting a divorce means that you |
| responsible for half of the total tax dues because | | | | can escape unscathed from the taxman's axe. |
| the income tax returns are filed jointly by married | | | | Well think again, just because you are divorced in |
| couples. Then, there are these misconceptions | | | | no way means that you will not be held |
| that are passed from parents to children and | | | | responsible for the tax dues owed by your ex |
| most people tend to hold on to them steadfastly. | | | | spouse. Unfortunately, you will not be able to |
| And very often people realize that they have | | | | convince the IRS to honor divorce decree |
| been paying too little or too less, too late. So the | | | | contracts. As far as they are concerned, collecting |
| best way to avoid such a murky situation is to | | | | their dues is their prime objective and they will |
| spend some time researching the IRS guidelines | | | | have no issues going after the spouse who has |
| for filing joint income tax returns. You have to | | | | more money if their tax debts have not been |
| understand that deciding to pay your taxes jointly | | | | settled. |
| may not always be the most prudent decision | | | | In case you are facing an issue with the IRS after |
| because it ties both partners with several legal | | | | a divorce, the best course of action would be to |
| responsibilities. For instance, in case of an | | | | get in touch with a tax attorney who will be able |
| estrangement, you will still be responsible for | | | | to help you take action against your spouse with |
| paying your spouses share of the tax dues to | | | | the divorce decree. |
| reach the total tax figure. | | | | There are several eminent Dallas tax attorneys |
| Then there is also the misconception, that once | | | | who can be contacted for help in such a matter. |