IRS & NJ tax problems · Innocent spouse relief
Innocent Spouse Relief Help in Bergen County
When you sign a joint return, you are each responsible for all of the tax, even after a divorce. If the problem came from your spouse's or former spouse's income or deductions, you may be able to get out from under it.
Monday to Friday 10am to 6pm, weekends 11am to 5pm.
What we handle
Your side of the story, documented.
The IRS decides these on facts, so the request has to make them clear.
Form 8857
The request itself, with a statement and the records that support it.
Deadlines
For innocent spouse relief and separation of liability, generally within two years after the IRS first tries to collect from you.
What the IRS weighs
What you knew, whether you benefited, abuse or control, and whether paying would cause hardship.
Divorce decrees
A decree can say your former spouse pays, but it does not bind the IRS. Relief has to come from the IRS.
Injured spouse is different
If your share of a joint refund was taken for your spouse's past-due debts, that is a separate form and we file that too.
State relief
New Jersey and New York have their own processes for state tax on joint returns.
How it works
From joint liability to your own.
You authorize us
You sign a power of attorney, IRS Form 2848, online. From then on IRS notices come to us too, and we speak for you.
We build the request
We pull the joint-year transcripts and document what you knew, what you received and what happened.
We follow it through
We answer IRS questions, and appeal if the first decision is wrong.
Common questions
Questions people ask first.
Does my divorce decree protect me?
Not from the IRS. A divorce decree can say your former spouse pays, but the IRS can still collect from either of you on a joint return.
Will my former spouse find out?
Yes. The IRS is required to notify the other spouse and give them a chance to respond.
Is there a deadline?
For innocent spouse relief and separation of liability, generally within two years after the IRS first tries to collect from you. Equitable relief allows more time.
What is injured spouse relief?
A different request, for when your share of a joint refund is taken to pay your spouse's past-due debts such as child support or student loans.
Stuck with a spouse's tax bill?
The first consultation is free and confidential. Tell us what happened and we will tell you which relief fits.