Category Archives: INNOCENT SPOUSE

PRO SE TAXPAYERS OFTEN DON’T SEE THE BUS THAT HITS THEM: SELF-REPRESENTATION CAN BE DANGEROUS

Posted on October 6, 2014 by steinbergtaxlaw

I receive many calls from taxpayers considering how to bring their unreported offshore accounts into compliance. Sometimes and often with respect to expatriates, these individuals will have prepared their own returns and even attempted to represent themselves through some of … Continue reading →

Posted in 214 OVDP, DIVORCE, EQUITABLE RELIEF, INNOCENT SPOUSE, NEW OVDP, TAX | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

WHEN NOT TO REQUEST INNOCENT SPOUSE TREATMENT

Posted on October 1, 2014 by steinbergtaxlaw

The case of Kimberly A. Sorentino v Commissioner (Summary Opinion 2014-99, September 24, 2014) illustrates what can happen when a taxpayer doesn’t get the relief she needs because she’d asked for the wrong relief. Although the Court’s Summary Opinion may … Continue reading →

Posted in DIVORCE, INNOCENT SPOUSE, JOINT RETURNS, TAX | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

UNFAIRNESS TO FORMER SPOUSE IN PAYING TAX LIABILITY OF FORMER HUSBAND IS NOT A FACTOR IN INNOCENT SPOUSE EQUITABLE RELIEF WHEN JOINT RETURN WAS FILED

Posted on August 22, 2013 by steinbergtaxlaw

O’Neil v. Commissioner T.C. Memo 2012-339 is a good innocent spouse case to read.  Without going into all of the dreary details, the bottom line is that the parties were married and then divorced.  While they were estranged and still separated, … Continue reading →

Posted in DIVORCE, EQUITABLE RELIEF, INNOCENT SPOUSE, JOINT RETURNS, TAX | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

FILING BANKRUPTCY BEFORE SEEKING INNOCENT SPOUSE RELIEF ON IRS CLAIM ENDS IN DISMISSAL OF BANKRUPCY CASE AT REQUEST OF DEBTOR

Posted on August 3, 2013 by steinbergtaxlaw

Pearl Dwek filed for bankruptcy under Chapter 13.  Before the Court had confirmed her plan, she filed a motion to modify the stay to extend the period of her payment plan to allow her to proceed in U.S. Tax Court … Continue reading →

Posted in INNOCENT SPOUSE, IRS COLLECTIONS, STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS, TAX, TRUST FUND PENALTY | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

IMPACT OF THE SUPREME COURT’S DECISION IN U.S. V WINDSOR: LEGALLY MARRIED SAME- SEX COUPLES NOW WILL LIVE IN THE SAME TAX WORLD AS DO OTHER MARRIED COUPLES

Posted on July 5, 2013 by steinbergtaxlaw

The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), as enacted, had two-prongs, namely: Section 2 of the Act provided and still provides that no state need recognize same-sex marriages legally consecrated under the laws of another state. Section 3 of the Act … Continue reading →

Posted in AMENDED RETURNS, EMPLOYMENT TAXES, INNOCENT SPOUSE, JOINT RETURNS, MARRIED PERSONS, TAX | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

TO FILE OR NOT TO FILE JOINTLY: AN ANNUAL DILEMMA

Posted on March 11, 2013 by steinbergtaxlaw

It is tax time again and most married couples will file jointly without considering the consequences or considering only the dollar tax-savings (marriage bonus) from rate splitting for single-earner couples. Couples with two wage earners more likely face a marriage … Continue reading →

Posted in COMPLIANCE, DIVORCE, INNOCENT SPOUSE, JOINT RETURNS | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

TAX PAYMENTS FOLLOWING INNOCENT SPOUSE RELIEF

Posted on February 18, 2013 by steinbergtaxlaw

What is commonly referred to as “innocent spouse relief” is actually three distinct types of possible statutory relief from the usual “joint and several liability” of a spouse who elects to file a joint return with his or her mate … Continue reading →

Posted in COMPLIANCE, DIVORCE, EQUITABLE RELIEF, INNOCENT SPOUSE, JOINT RETURNS, TAX | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

E-FILED JOINT RETURN: TAX COURT FINDS INTENT TO FILE JOINTLY

Posted on November 5, 2012 by steinbergtaxlaw

When tax returns were filed on paper and physically signed, most taxpayers thought that they had to actually sign the return to be found to have elected to file a joint return.  The issue would arise when a paper return … Continue reading →

Posted in DIVORCE, INNOCENT SPOUSE, JOINT RETURNS, TAX | Tagged , , | 16 Comments

IRS PR0POSED NEW RULES FOR DETERMINING IF SPOUSE QUALIFIES FOR EQUITABLE RELIEF UNDER IRC SECTION 6015(f)

Posted on October 4, 2012 by steinbergtaxlaw

INNOCENT SPOUSE MUCH LITIGATED One of the most litigated issues in Tax Court is an appeal from an IRS final determination that a spouse is not eligible for so-called “innocent spouse relief.”  “Innocent Spouse” is a phrase commonly used to refer … Continue reading →

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JOINT OWNERSHIP A BUSINESS DOES NOT PER SE PRECLUDE INNOCENT SPOUSE RELIEF

Posted on September 14, 2012 by steinbergtaxlaw

 The case of Sari F. Deihl v Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 2012-176 (June 21, 2012) was factually and procedurally complex.  This post deals only with one of the issues decided by the Tax Court: whether the income tax audit adjustments flowing … Continue reading →

Posted in DIVORCE, INNOCENT SPOUSE, JOINT RETURNS | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment