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Question:
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Category: Tax and Taxation Law
Location: IN
Subject: Back Taxes owned by Spouse
My husband owes back federal taxes. This occured before the marriage. Can the IRS take money from my wages to pay for my husbands past debt?
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Reply:
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Category: Tax and Taxation Law
Location: IN
Subject: Re: Back Taxes owned by Spouse
The IRS cannot garnish your wages. Nor can the IRS levy against your separately owned property. Nevertheless, the IRS take all of your joint bank accounts and jointly titled assets. In addition, the IRS can file a Federal Tax Lien against your husband which becomes a lien on any jointly owned real estate. This would make it difficult to sell without paying the IRS.
Also, if upon your death, you leave any of your assets to your husband, or if he is the beneficiary of any life insurance policies, the IRS can take this.
If you file a joint return, the IRS will take all of the refund and make you fight to get your portion back. This may not be economically feasible. The smartest move would be to have the tax situation immediately analyzed by a tax attorney.
My web site contains further information: https://www.taxesq.com/
I hope this helps!