:)

[terri01p]

Smile people.

 

[Jennasis]

It sounds like it is time to call a GOOD accountant or tax attorney...like now.

 

[Carly_Roach]

It sounds like it is time to call a GOOD accountant or tax attorney...like now.

Amen.

 

[terri01p]

 

[lovesmurfs]

I would have your DD call the IRS and speak with them frankly about the situation to find out what her options are, what may help and what won't.

And YES to getting a tax attorney ASAP.

 

[cm8]

My dd just went through a divorce and it was final back in March. She received certified IRS papers today with her married name ( she has went back to her maiden name) and her ex-husbands social stating she/he owes a LARGE amount of money. Seem's when they were married he started " his own" business and never paid a lick of taxes.
He is in prison now but is up for release in August. When he gets out knowing him from the past he will more than likely never work. My dd does work.

Now for my question: When my ex son in law gets out of prison can my dd get him to sign a notorized letter stating the taxes belong to him ( she was never part of this so called business) and none of these taxes are her's ( I think they probably know that because her social is not on the papers just his but her name). And then send a copy of the notorized letter to the IRS. Could that possibly do any good? Thanks for all the help! What a mess!!

I agree with the other posters who said that she should get a tax attorney. I also think that she would be covered under the "injured spouse" law and not have to pay back anything!

 

[Kimberly]

It sounds like it is time to call a GOOD accountant or tax attorney...like now.

Wow... just couldn't agree more here. Definitely find yourself an EXPERIENCED attorney/accountant. I didn't see where you are from, but in NYC (where I grew up), a lot of tax accountants had CPA's as well.

Best of luck.

 

[terri01p]

 

[Kimberly]

My only fear is if she calls the IRS it will open up a whole can of worms for her. And they will certainly start coming after her more aggressively. We are in NC.

Agreed... I wouldn't talk to the IRS without an attorney present. My experience with them being an expat was never good. Your situation may be different, but please consult an attorney first at least before talking to the IRS.

 

[Tina]

I agree with everyone here. Its time to retain a tax attorney and/or Enrolled Agent. By the way, the reason only his social is listed on the papers is because they only list the first social from the return (his, if they filed joint). If she signed a joint return, she could be held liable. Seek expert advice NOW.

 

[lovesmurfs]

My only fear is if she calls the IRS it will open up a whole can of worms for her. And they will certainly start coming after her more aggressively. We are in NC.

Then just get a good attorney, who can direct you on next steps. I've found the IRS helpful when I was open and honest, but YMMV.

Best wishes. It sounds like you all have been through a lot.

 

[bumbershoot]

I also think that she would be covered under the "injured spouse" law and not have to pay back anything!

One would hope so. But you never know. MIL is currently paying back a total of 50K to the IRS for nonsense her husband got up to...not having taxes taken from his union pension nor his work check, and not filing for 6 years... The subsequent years, he just SAID that he had filed, and since I'm the tax preparer in my family, I know that you can just pretend to be your spouse and indicate to TT (and taxact) that both spouses approve.

MIL doesn't read much English and their relationship was not the type where she could demand anything (other than jewelry and furs) from him, so she just assumed he was doing their finances correctly.

I found all of this out while calling the IRS after FIL died.

She hired a tax attorney, and she's paying it alllll back on the widow's portion of SS and his pension. Sigh.

 

[ksjayhawks]

Did she sign the tax returns that had the business informationon them? Or did he forge her name?

She needs to contact an attorney who specializes in this and get his/her advice. She needs to have copies of the tax returns if there were any or any papers related to the business. Let the attorney handle the dealings with the IRS. Not sure how much it will cost her.

Good luck!

 

[PatsMom]

She needs to consult an attorney or EA. Or a CPA. Someone who can represent her with the IRS. She might be protected under the innocent spouse rule but other than that if it was a joint return, the IRS really doesn't care which spouse generated the income - both are equally and separately liable to pay it. If the ex husband has no resources and she does, the IRS sometimes goes after the spouse that is more able to pay - they just want their money.

Lesson to all - make sure you understand what is on your joint return. Especially with electronic filing it is easy to do a return and never have the spouse see it. I always print ours and show it to my husband before filing but I know others who just tell their spouse that they signed electronically for them. And the spouse never checks to see what was filed. Good way to get into financial trouble.

 

[ksjayhawks]

And the spouse never checks to see what was filed. Good way to get into financial trouble.

No kidding! Happened to an acquaintance of mine. She signed returns for years and he never paid and now since he has no income, they are coming after her!

 

[terri01p]

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Go to www.irs.gov. There is an IRS Form 8857 for "Innocent Spouse Relief". There is a Tax Topic #205 for that. There is an "Eligibility Explorer". For all of these, and much more, at the IRS home page enter Innocent Spouse in the Search block and go from there.

Mike (CPA Retired)

 

[Kimberly]

Reading some of these stories just makes me sick. My dd was nothing more than stupid in this marriage she trusted her ex completly, never questioning anything. I think that their taxes were alway garnished during the marriage if I'm not mistaken. He is in jail for ID thief and stolen property...the day they carted him off to jail, then prison my dd was in shock. It is just now coming out everything he had done during their 5 year married. She will be paying for this for the better part of her life if she doesn't get this straighten out and not sure she can. He also let their house go bankrupt, she didn't even know that he never made but a handful of house payments for two years they lived there, she's in a pickle for sure.

The only reason ( I think) they are coming after her is that he is in jail and that equals no money, versus she now works and they flat out want their money from whoever.