The Implications of Marriage and Divorce on Taxes

In reality, there is a large percentage of people in the United States who pay the IRS more than they really need to. This is like giving away your hard-earned money while getting very little in return. Fortunately, you can take steps that will help you hold on to more of your money. As what many would say, the best defense is an offense. Basically, the more educated you are about your rights with regards to the IRS, the better off you are and the more money you will save.

Basically, people can clearly picture out their individual tax benefits and requirements. However, when they enter marriage, things change considerably and the learning curve can be steep. Often times, many people don't take the time to learn all the different tax benefits that are available when they get married, they also hold common misconceptions that they have learned from their parents who also didn't know the truth.

Believing that a spouse is only responsible for half of the total taxes due in the joint income tax return is among the most common misconceptions about taxes and marriage. Even if there is some truth in this claim, the IRS has different guidelines for this type of income tax return. Filing for a joint income tax return binds both spouses with several joint legal responsibilities. This means that if one party decides to leave, the other is required to pay the full amount of taxes due.

It is also incorrect to think that if you marry someone who has tax issues before the marriage, you will be spared from the burden of paying for it. This is partially correct, but if you live in one of the nine community property states in the country, then it's absolutely not true. Once you get married, all of your assets and incomes become community property. This is loosely interpreted to mean that half of her income is yours, and vice versa. The IRS can actually put a levy on half of your paycheck if your spouse can't settle his/her part of the debt. Or, if you later decide to file a joint income tax return, any refund that you are due will simply be kept by the IRS in order to pay the old and remaining debt.

People also hold a number of misconceptions on the implications of divorce on your taxes. One such myth is that you will be able to protect yourself by simply decreeing that any income taxes that are owed are the sole responsibility of your ex-husband or ex-wife. Actually, although you and your spouse may have signed a divorce decree, the IRS does not and won't honor any divorce decree contracts. The IRS can still go after the individual who is easier to locate and whom they deem has more money in cases when tax debts are not completely settled. However, you can take advantage of the divorce decree if you contact a lawyer to help you take courses of action (related to IRS issues) against your ex-husband or ex-wife.

Darrin T. Mish is a Nationally recognized Attorney whose practice focuses on representing clients across the United States with IRS Problems. He is AV rated by Martindale-Hubbel and is a member of the American Society of IRS Problem Solvers and the Tax Freedom Institute. He has been honored by a listing in Martindale-Hubbel's Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers. His passion is providing IRS help to taxpayers with both individual and payroll tax problems. He teaches attorneys, CPAs and Enrolled Agents in the finer aspects of IRS representation all around the United States. He can be reached at his website at http://www.getIRShelp.com

About the Author

Darrin T. Mish (http://www.getirshelp.com) is a Nationally recognized Attorney whose practice focuses on representing clients across the United States with IRS Problems. He is AV rated by Martindale-Hubbel and is a member of the American Society of IRS Problem Solvers and the Tax Freedom Institute. He has been honored by a listing in Martindale-Hubbel's Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers. His passion is providing IRS help to taxpayers with both individual and payroll tax problems. He teaches attorneys, CPAs and Enrolled Agents in the finer aspects of IRS representation all around the United States. He can be reached at his website at http://www.getIRShelp.com