Stuck with Your Spouse's Tax Debt? Innocent Spouse Relief
You shouldn't pay for tax problems caused by your spouse or ex-spouse. We pursue relief from joint liability.
Critical Deadline
2 years from first IRS collection activity (for traditional relief)
Note: Strategy Sessions require a $250 analysis fee, applied 100% toward your final service.
Understanding Innocent Spouse
Innocent spouse relief eliminates your responsibility for tax debt resulting from your spouse's or ex-spouse's actions on joint returns. If your spouse understated income, claimed false deductions, or made other errors you didn't know about, you may be entitled to relief from the resulting tax, penalties, and interest. This is especially critical in divorce situations where one spouse is left holding joint tax debt caused by the other.
IRS Authority: IRC § 6015
What Happens If You Don't Act
How The Tax Pro Advisor Resolves This
Helping Austin and Leander business owners resolve innocent spouse issues with proven strategies and direct IRS representation.
IRS Forms & Documents We Prepare
Frequently Asked Questions
What is innocent spouse relief?
Innocent spouse relief eliminates your responsibility for tax, penalties, and interest resulting from your spouse's erroneous items on a joint return, when you didn't know about the errors and it would be unfair to hold you liable.
How long do I have to request innocent spouse relief?
For traditional innocent spouse relief, you must file within 2 years of the IRS's first collection activity. For equitable relief, there's no time limit but you should file as soon as you become aware of the issue.
Can I settle this for less than I owe?
Innocent spouse relief can eliminate your liability entirely—reducing your share to zero. This is complete relief from tax debt caused by your spouse, not just a reduction.
Related IRS Issues
Don't Wait Until It's Too Late
The longer you wait, the fewer options you have. Get a free, confidential consultation to understand your situation and next steps.
Note: Strategy Sessions require a $250 analysis fee, applied 100% toward your final service.