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Innocent Spouse Relief — Protect Yourself From a Partner’s Tax Debt
Innocent Spouse Relief exists to protect individuals who should not be held responsible for their spouse’s or ex-spouse’s tax mistakes. If your partner underreported income, claimed false deductions, or created tax debt without your knowledge, you may qualify for relief.
Internal Tax Resolution helps determine eligibility, prepare the required forms, and present your case to the IRS effectively.
Innocent Spouse Rules
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A married couple may elect to file a joint tax return even if one spouse has no income
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One consequence of filing a joint return is that each spouse is jointly and severally liable for the tax due
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Congress recognized it can be inequitable to impose a tax liability on a spouse who lacks knowledge of the activity on the joint return which has caused the understatement of tax
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Spouses can always file married separate tax returns - this is something that should be considered in cases where the taxes cannot be paid
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The IRS is required to send a notice regarding a joint return to each spouse who filed the return
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There are 3 sources of relief to spouses and former spouses facing joint and several liability tax problems
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Give our office a call today to discuss such sources
What Is Innocent Spouse Relief?
Innocent Spouse Relief removes your responsibility for tax, penalties, and interest if your spouse or former spouse caused the issue without your knowledge or involvement.
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You may qualify if:
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Your spouse hid income
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They improperly reported deductions or credits
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You signed a return without knowing it contained errors
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You were unaware of tax fraud or underreporting
The IRS allows several forms of relief depending on your situation.
Types of Innocent Spouse Relief
Traditional Innocent Spouse Relief
You’re relieved of responsibility for additional tax if you didn’t know (and couldn’t reasonably have known) about an understatement.
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Separation of Liability Relief
Tax is divided between you and your ex-spouse based on what each person should have owed.
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Equitable Relief
Granted when traditional relief doesn’t apply, but it would be unfair to hold you responsible.
Why Innocent Spouse Issues Happen
Common causes include:
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Undisclosed self-employment income
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Hidden bank accounts
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Unreported freelance or contract work
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Fraudulent deductions
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Deliberately falsified returns
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Financial control or abuse situations
You should not be punished for misconduct you didn’t commit.
Consequences of Not Filing for Relief
Without relief, the IRS may:
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Garnish your wages
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Seize refunds
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Levy bank accounts
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File liens
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Hold you responsible for a spouse’s fraud
Acting quickly strengthens your case.
How Internal Tax Resolution Helps
We handle the entire process, including Form 8857 and supporting documentation.
We assist with:
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Reviewing your tax history and IRS transcripts
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Identifying which form of relief you qualify for
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Gathering evidence of lack of knowledge or fairness concerns
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Filing all required forms
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Communicating directly with the IRS
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Appealing denials if necessary
Your story matters — we make sure it’s presented clearly and professionally.
Client Example
“A woman in Michigan was held responsible for nearly $40,000 in tax debt created by her ex-spouse. Internal Tax Resolution filed for Equitable Relief, and the IRS removed the entire balance from her account.”
Get Innocent Spouse Relief Help Today
If you’re being unfairly held accountable for a spouse’s or ex-spouse’s tax issues, you have rights. We can help protect your income and remove unjust tax liability.
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Call Internal Tax Resolution today for a confidential Innocent Spouse Relief review.