IRS Innocent Spouse Relief

You may have chosen your spouse, but that doesn’t mean you have to choose their back taxes, too. With Innocent Spouse Relief, you can stay happily married while separating yourself from their tax debt.

See If You Qualify

X

Back

I’m looking for help with:

Tax debt Tax liens, levies, or penalties Tax preparation Business tax debt Business help Something else

Do you owe federal or state taxes?

Federal (IRS) State Both I don’t owe taxes

Was there a specific situation that impacted your taxes?

Personal hardship Financial or business hardship Medical hardship No specific hardship

To the best of your knowledge, how much do you owe in taxes?

Next

Do you need to stop or prevent IRS collection actions (wage garnishment, tax lien or bank levy)?

Yes No Unsure

Do you need help with your business?

Yes No

Which services are you interested in
(select all that apply)?

Tax planning Bookkeeping Startup plans Payroll

Next

Please tell us a little about your issue:

Next

Do you need help with your personal or business taxes?

Personal Business Both

Do you need to file federal and/or state taxes?

Federal State Both

Do you owe back taxes?

Yes No

How much do you owe in back taxes?

Next

What service do you need help with?

Startup packages Bookkeeping Payroll taxes Close corporate filing

What type of business do you need help setting up?

Sales-based Service-based Consulting

Will you be the only owner of the business?

Yes No

Will you do business in multiple states?

Yes No

Which startup package are you interested in purchasing?

Basic Elite

Who is currently handling your bookkeeping needs?

I do it myself Outside service Employee

How many hours a week do you typically spend handling your books?

Less than 10 10 – 20 More than 20

What is the main reason you’re looking to make a change?

Cost Expertise Online Accessibility

What is your estimated annual revenue?

Below $500,000 $500,000 – $1M Over $1M

How many employees do you have?

1-10 10-25 25-50 50-100 More than 100

Are you currently using an outsourced service for your payroll needs?

Yes No

Are you behind on your payroll taxes?

Yes No

Has your business already closed?

Yes No

When do you expect to cease operations?

Within 30 days 30-90 days Undecided

Do you owe back taxes?

Yes No

Almost there!

Based on your answers to these questions, it seems you may be eligible for IRS tax relief programs. To get professional help determining what you may qualify for and to stop IRS collections, fill out the information below.

First Name*

Last Name*

Email Address*

Phone Number*

 AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming State*

Get Help

By submitting this form, I agree to be contacted by Tax Defense Network and/or its affiliates, including calls and/or emails, and also opt-in to SMS (text messaging rates may apply). Contact may be by automated dialing technology and may feature a prerecorded voice. I understand that my consent is not a condition or obligation to purchase any products or services.

Pssst – looks like you started a form.
Do you still need help?

Yes, Finish Form Not Now

What is IRS Innocent Spouse Relief?

There are very few instances where the IRS offers total tax debt forgiveness to a taxpayer. One of them is through Innocent Spouse Relief. Under certain circumstances, the IRS will essentially erase your debt. You must prove that your spouse, or former spouse, failed to report or underreported income without your knowledge, or they fraudulently claimed deductions or credits. If you are still married to your spouse, it can be difficult to prove that you had no knowledge of the wrongdoing, especially if you signed the return. In many Innocent Spouse Relief cases, the parties are no longer together.

There are three other forms of spousal tax relief available, including:

1. Separation of Liability Relief
   The IRS basically splits the tax liability between you and your spouse. You will only be responsible for the portion allocated to you.
2. Injured Spouse Relief
   If your refund is taken to satisfy your spouse’s debt (typically child support), you may be able to get your money back through an injured spouse claim.
3. Equitable Relief
   This is typically requested when you are ineligible for the other types of spousal relief. The IRS must agree that it would be unfair to hold you liable for your spouse’s tax debt. 

If you’re facing unaffordable tax debt due to your spouse’s negligence, give Tax Defense Network a call. We can help you determine which of the various tax relief options are right for you.

---

Innocent Spouse Relief Requirements

Like any other tax debt relief program, there are certain qualifications you must meet in order to receive Innocent Spouse Relief. Per the IRS, you may not be responsible for your spouse’s or former spouse’s taxes if all of the following are true:

• You filed a joint return for the year(s) in question
• The tax liability resulted from erroneous items of the person with whom you filed the joint return (like unreported income or an incorrect deduction, credit, or basis)
• You can show that you did not participate or possess any knowledge of the existence of the understated tax existed
• Taking all facts and circumstances into account, it would be unfair to hold you responsible for the tax debt
• You and your spouse (current or former) have not transferred any property to one another in an effort to defraud the IRS

You must also provide the IRS with adequate information to prove your case before it will grant relief. It is important not to embellish or falsify any information on your application, as this could result in penalties for perjury. At Tax Defense Network, our qualified tax professionals can file an IRS Innocent Spouse Relief request on your behalf, ensuring all information is accurate and no important details are left out.

Tax Defense Network

“[We were looking] for resolution of several years of tax issues lingering over our heads that snowballed into an overwhelming sense of despair. My spouse and I were treated with respect and concern for our situation. Tax Defense Network took care of all our tax issues in a quick and legal manner with excellent results. Our despair turned into joy twofold plus we are 100% compliant. Thanks for all that you do!”

— Katherine W.

5/ 5stars

Common Questions About Innocent Spouse Relief

Q: How long does Innocent Spouse Relief take?

Once you’ve filed Form 8857 and formally requested relief, the IRS may take up to six months to make a decision on your case. During that time, the IRS will be reviewing your tax information and contacting the spouse or former spouse with whom you filed a joint tax return.

Q: If I am separated or divorced, am I still responsible for my former’s spouse’s tax debt?

Unfortunately, whether you’re married, separated, or divorced, the IRS will not let you off the hook if the tax debt was assessed during your marriage and you filed jointly. IRS Innocent Spouse Relief, however, can relieve your liability for the due balance.

Q: Is there a time limit for filing Innocent Spouse Relief?

Generally, you must file Form 8857 no later than two years after the first IRS attempt to collect the tax debt. There are exceptions to this rule, however, and our tax professionals can help you navigate those confusing guidelines.

Q: Will the IRS contact my spouse/former spouse if I file for Innocent Spouse Relief?

Yes. The IRS is required by law to reach out to your spouse/former spouse. That person will be able to provide information for consideration regarding your IRS Innocent Spouse Relief claim.

Ready to Get Started?

First Name:

Last Name:

Email:

Phone:

State:  AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming

Tax Debt Amount: $5,000 - $9,999 $10,000 - $19,999 $20,000 - $49,999 $50,000 - $99,999 $100,000+

Tell Us About Your Tax Issue:

Submit

By submitting this form, I agree to be contacted by Tax Defense Network and/or its affiliates, including calls and/or emails, and also opt-in to SMS (text messaging rates may apply). Contact may be by automated dialing technology and may feature a prerecorded voice. I understand that my consent is not a condition or obligation to purchase any products or services.

Related Articles and Resources

Can Tax Debt Be Written Off?

Can a Tax Debt Relief Company Really Help Me?

Can You File Bankruptcy For Unpaid Taxes?

Load More