IRS Releases Publication 971 (10/2014), Innocent Spouse Relief

What's New

The Internal Revenue Service has issued Revenue Procedure 2013-34, available at http://www.irs.gov/irb/2013-34_IRB/ar07.html. This revenue procedure expands how the IRS will take into account abuse and financial control by the nonrequesting spouse in determining whether equitable relief is warranted. It also broadens the availability of refunds in cases involving deficiencies. See Equitable Relief and Refunds, later.

Future Developments

For the latest information about developments related to Publication 971, such as legislation enacted after it was published, go to http://www.irs.gov/pub971. Or use your QR Reader app to scan the code below and be connected to the webpage.

Use your QR Reader app to connect to the Publication 971 webpage.

When you file a joint income tax return, the law makes both you and your spouse responsible for the entire tax liability. This is called joint and several liability. Joint and several liability applies not only to the tax liability you show on the return but also to any additional tax liability the IRS determines to be due, even if the additional tax is due to income, deductions, or credits of your spouse or former spouse. You remain jointly and severally liable for taxes, and the IRS can still collect them from you, even if you later divorce and the divorce decree states that your former spouse will be solely responsible for the tax.

In some cases, a spouse (or former spouse) will be relieved of the tax, interest, and penalties on a joint tax return. Three types of relief are available to married persons who filed joint returns.

This publication explains these types of relief, who may qualify for them, and how to get them. You can also use the Innocent Spouse Tax Relief Eligibility Explorer at IRS.gov by entering "Innocent Spouse" in the search box.

What this publication does not cover. This publication does not discuss injured spouse relief. You are an injured spouse if your share of the overpayment shown on your joint return was, or is expected to be, applied (offset) against your spouse's legally enforceable past-due federal taxes, state income taxes, state unemployment compensation debts, child or spousal support payments, or a federal nontax debt, such as a student loan. If you are an injured spouse, you may be entitled to receive a refund of your share of the overpayment. For more information, see Form 8379, Injured Spouse Allocation.

Comments and suggestions. We welcome your comments about this publication and your suggestions for future editions.

You can send us comments from http://www.irs.gov/formspubs. Click on "More Information" and then on "Give us feedback."

Or you can write to:

Internal Revenue Service Tax Forms and Publications 1111 Constitution Ave. NW, IR-6526 Washington, DC 20224

We respond to many letters by telephone. Therefore, it would be helpful if you would include your daytime phone number, including the area code, in your correspondence.

Although we cannot respond individually to each comment received, we do appreciate your feedback and will consider your comments as we revise our tax products.

Ordering forms and publications. Visit http://www.irs.gov/formspubs to download forms and publications. Otherwise, you can go to http://www.irs.gov/orderforms to order forms or call 1-800-829-3676 to order current and prior-year forms and instructions. Your order should arrive within 10 business days.

Questions about innocent spouse relief. The IRS can help you with your request for innocent spouse relief. If you are working with an IRS employee, you can ask that employee, or you can call 1-855-851-2009.

Useful Items

You may want to see:

Publications

File Form 8857 to ask the IRS for the types of relief discussed in this publication. If you are requesting relief for more than six tax years, you must file an additional Form 8857.

The IRS will review your Form 8857 and let you know if you qualify.

A completed Form 8857 is shown later.

When To File Form 8857

You should file Form 8857 as soon as you become aware of a tax liability for which you believe only your spouse or former spouse should be held responsible. The following are some of the ways you may become aware of such a liability.

Collection activities that may start the 2-year period are:

Balance due. Generally, you must file your request within the time period the IRS has to collect the tax. Generally, the IRS has 10 years from the date the tax liability was assessed to collect the tax. In certain cases, the 10-year period is suspended. The amount of time the suspension is in effect will extend the time the IRS has to collect the tax. See Pub. 594, The IRS Collection Process, for details.

Credit or refund. Generally, you must file your request within 3 years after the date the original return was filed or within 2 years after the date the tax was paid, whichever is later. But you may have more time to file if you live in a federally declared disaster area or you are physically or mentally unable to manage your financial affairs. See Pub. 556, Examination of Returns, Appeal Rights, and Claims for Refund, for details.

Both a balance due and a credit or refund. If you are seeking a refund of amounts you paid and relief from a balance due over and above what you have paid, the time period for credit or refund will apply to any payments you have made, and the time period for collection of a balance due amount will apply to any unpaid liability.

Exception for relief from liability for tax attributable to an item of community income. If you are requesting relief from liability for tax attributable to an item of community income, a different filing deadline applies. See Relief From Liability for Tax Attributable to an Item of Community Income discussed later under Community Property Laws.

Form 8857 filed by or on behalf of a decedent. An executor (including any other duly appointed representative) may pursue a Form 8857 filed during the decedent's lifetime. An executor (including any other duly appointed representative) may also file Form 8857 as long as the decedent satisfied the eligibility requirements while alive. For purposes of separation of liability relief (discussed later), the decedent's marital status is determined on the earlier of the date relief was requested or the date of death.

Situations in which you are not entitled to relief. You are not entitled to innocent spouse relief for any tax year to which the following situations apply.

Transferee liability not affected by innocent spouse relief provisions. The innocent spouse relief provisions do not affect tax liabilities that arise under federal or state transferee liability or property laws. Therefore, even if you are relieved of the tax liability under the innocent spouse relief provisions, you may remain liable for the unpaid tax, interest, and penalties to the extent provided by these laws.

Example. Herb and Wanda timely filed their 2011 joint income tax return on April 17, 2012. Herb died in March 2013, and the executor of Herb's will transferred all of the estate's assets to Wanda. In August 2013, the IRS assessed a deficiency for the 2011 return. The items causing the deficiency belong to Herb. Wanda is relieved of the deficiency under the innocent spouse relief provisions, and Herb's estate remains solely liable for it. However, the IRS may collect the deficiency from Wanda to the extent permitted under federal or state transferee liability or property laws.

The IRS Must Contact Your Spouse or Former Spouse

By law, the IRS must contact your spouse or former spouse. There are no exceptions, even for victims of spousal abuse or domestic violence.

We will inform your spouse or former spouse that you filed Form 8857 and will allow him or her to participate in the process. If you are requesting relief from joint and several liability on a joint return, the IRS must also inform him or her of its preliminary and final determinations regarding your request for relief.

To protect your privacy, the IRS will not disclose your personal information (such as your current name, address, phone number(s), or information about your employer, your income, or your assets). Any other information you provide that the IRS uses to make a determination about your request for relief from liability could be disclosed to the person you list on Form 8857, line 5. If you have concerns about your privacy or the privacy of others, you should redact or black out personal information in the material you submit.

CAUTION: If you petition the Tax Court (explained below), your spouse or former spouse may see your personal information, unless you ask the Tax Court to withhold it.

Tax Court Review of Request

After you file Form 8857, you may be able to petition (ask) the United States Tax Court to review your request for relief (other than a request for relief from liability for tax attributable to an item of community income) if:

You must file the petition no later than the 90th day after the date the IRS mails its final determination letter to you. If you do not file a petition, or you file it late, the Tax Court cannot review your request for relief.

You can get a copy of the rules for filing a petition by writing to the Tax Court at the following address:

United States Tax Court 400 Second Street, NW Washington, DC 20217

Or you can visit the Tax Court's website at http://www.ustaxcourt.gov.

Community Property Laws

You must generally follow community property laws when filing a tax return if you are married and live in a community property state. Community property states are Arizona, California, Idaho, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin. Generally, community property laws provide that you and your spouse are both entitled to one-half of your total community income and expenses. If you and your spouse filed a joint return in a community property state, you are both jointly and severally liable for the total liability on the return. However, community property laws are not taken into account in determining whether an item belongs to you or to your spouse (or former spouse) if you request relief from joint and several liability.

Relief for Married Persons Who Did Not File Joint Returns

Married persons who live in community property states, but who did not file joint returns, have two ways to get relief.

Relief From Liability for Tax Attributable to an Item of Community Income

You are not responsible for the tax relating to an item of community income if all the following conditions exist.

Reason to know. The IRS will consider all facts and circumstances in determining whether you had reason to know of an item of community income. The facts and circumstances include:

The following are examples of factors the IRS will consider.

Benefit from omitted item of community income. A benefit includes normal support, but does not include de minimis (small) amounts. Evidence of a direct or indirect benefit may consist of transfers of property or rights to property, including transfers received several years after the filing of the return.

For example, if you receive property, including life insurance proceeds, from your spouse (or former spouse) and the property is traceable to omitted items of community income attributable to your spouse (or former spouse), you are considered to have benefitted from those omitted items of community income.

Equitable Relief

If you do not qualify for the relief described above and are now liable for an unpaid or understated tax you believe should be paid only by your spouse (or former spouse), you may request equitable relief (discussed later).

How and When To Request Relief

You request relief by filing Form 8857, as discussed earlier. Fill in Form 8857 according to the instructions.

For relief from liability for tax attributable to an item of community income, you must file Form 8857 no later than 6 months before the expiration of the period of limitations on assessment (including extensions) against your spouse for the tax year for which you are requesting relief. However, if the IRS begins an examination of your return during that 6-month period, the latest time for requesting relief is 30 days after the date the IRS' initial contact letter to you. The period of limitation on assessment is the amount of time, generally three years, that the IRS has from the date you filed the return to assess taxes that you owe.

Innocent Spouse Relief

By requesting innocent spouse relief, you can be relieved of responsibility for paying tax, interest, and penalties if your spouse (or former spouse) improperly reported items or omitted items on your tax return. Generally, the tax, interest, and penalties that qualify for relief can only be collected from your spouse (or former spouse). However, you are jointly and individually responsible for any tax, interest, and penalties that do not qualify for relief. The IRS can collect these amounts from either you or your spouse (or former spouse).

You must meet all of the following conditions to qualify for innocent spouse relief.

Understated Tax

You have an understated tax if the IRS determined that your total tax should be more than the amount that was actually shown on your return.

Erroneous Items

Erroneous items are either of the following.

You knew or had reason to know of an understated tax if:

Reason to know. If you had reason to know about an erroneous item that belongs to your spouse (or former spouse), the relief discussed here does not apply to any part of the understated tax due to that item. You and your spouse (or former spouse) remain jointly liable for that part of the understated tax.

The IRS will consider all facts and circumstances in determining whether you had reason to know of an understated tax due to an erroneous item. The facts and circumstances include:

Example. At the time you signed your joint return, you knew that your spouse did not report $5,000 of gambling winnings. The IRS examined your tax return several months after you filed it and determined that your spouse's unreported gambling winnings were actually $25,000. You established that you did not know about, and had no reason to know about, the additional $20,000 because of the way your spouse handled gambling winnings. The understated tax due to the $20,000 will qualify for innocent spouse relief if you meet the other requirements. The understated tax due to the $5,000 of gambling winnings you knew about will not qualify for relief.

Indications of Unfairness for Innocent Spouse Relief

The IRS will consider all of the facts and circumstances of the case in order to determine whether it is unfair to hold you responsible for the understated tax.

The following are examples of factors the IRS will consider.

Significant benefit. A significant benefit is any benefit in excess of normal support. Normal support depends on your particular circumstances. Evidence of a direct or indirect benefit may consist of transfers of property or rights to property, including transfers that may be received several years after the year of the understated tax.

Example. You receive money from your spouse that is beyond normal support. The money can be traced to your spouse's lottery winnings that were not reported on your joint return. You will be considered to have received a significant benefit from that income. This is true even if your spouse gives you the money several years after he or she received it.

Separation of Liability Relief

Under this type of relief, the understated tax (plus interest and penalties) on your joint return is allocated between you and your spouse (or former spouse). The understated tax allocated to you is generally the amount you are responsible for.

This type of relief is available for liabilities resulting from understated tax. However, refunds are not allowed for any liabilities that have been paid.

To request separation of liability relief, you must have filed a joint return and meet either of the following requirements at the time you file Form 8857.

Limitations on Relief

Even if you meet the requirements discussed previously, separation of liability relief will not be granted in the following situations.

The relief discussed here does not apply to any part of the understated tax due to your spouse's (or former spouse's) erroneous items of which you had actual knowledge. You and your spouse (or former spouse) remain jointly and severally liable for this part of the understated tax.

If you had actual knowledge of only a portion of an erroneous item, the IRS will not grant relief for that portion of the item.

You had actual knowledge of an erroneous item if:

Your actual knowledge of the proper tax treatment of an erroneous item is not relevant for purposes of demonstrating that you had actual knowledge of that item. Neither is your actual knowledge of how the erroneous item was treated on the tax return. For example, if you knew that your spouse received dividend income, relief is not available for that income even if you did not know it was taxable.

Example. Bill and Karen Green filed a joint return showing Karen's wages of $50,000 and Bill's self-employment income of $10,000. The IRS audited their return and found that Bill did not report $20,000 of self-employment income. The additional income resulted in a $6,000 understated tax, plus interest and penalties. After obtaining a legal separation from Bill, Karen filed Form 8857 to request separation of liability relief. The IRS proved that Karen actually knew about the $20,000 of additional income at the time she signed the joint return. Bill is liable for all of the understated tax, interest, and penalties because all of it was due to his unreported income. Karen is also liable for the understated tax, interest, and penalties due to the $20,000 of unreported income because she actually knew of the item. The IRS can collect the entire $6,000 plus interest and penalties from either Karen or Bill because they are jointly and individually liable for it.

Factors supporting actual knowledge. The IRS may rely on all facts and circumstances in determining whether you actually knew of an erroneous item at the time you signed the return. The following are examples of factors the IRS may use.

Example. Harry and Wanda live in Arizona, a community property state. After their marriage, Harry opens a bank account in his name. Under the operation of the community property state laws of Arizona, Wanda owns 1/2 of the bank account. However, Wanda does not have an ownership interest in the account for purposes of demonstrating that Wanda had actual knowledge of an erroneous item because the account is not held in her name and there is no other indication that she asserted dominion and control over the item.

Exception for spousal abuse or domestic violence. Even if you had actual knowledge, you may still qualify for relief if you establish that:

Transfers of Property To Avoid Tax

If your spouse (or former spouse) transfers property (or the right to property) to you for the main purpose of avoiding tax or payment of tax, the tax liability allocated to you will be increased by the fair market value of the property on the date of the transfer. The increase may not be more than the entire amount of the liability. A transfer will be presumed to have as its main purpose the avoidance of tax or payment of tax if the transfer is made after the date that is 1 year before the date on which the IRS sent its first letter of proposed deficiency. This presumption will not apply if:

Equitable Relief

If you do not qualify for innocent spouse relief or separation of liability relief, you may still be relieved of responsibility for tax, interest, and penalties through equitable relief. If you did not file a joint return but did not qualify for relief from liability for tax attributable to an item of community income, you may be eligible for equitable relief.

Unlike innocent spouse relief or separation of liability relief, you can get equitable relief from an understated tax (defined earlier under Innocent Spouse Relief) or an unpaid tax. An unpaid tax is an amount of tax you properly reported on your return but you have not paid. For example, your joint 2012 return shows that you and your spouse owed $5,000. You paid $2,000 with the return. You have an unpaid tax of $3,000.

Conditions for Getting Equitable Relief

In order to be considered for equitable relief from joint and several liability, you must meet all of the following threshold conditions. In order to be considered for equitable relief from liability for tax attributable to an item of community income, you must meet all of the following threshold conditions except for items 1 and 2.

If you meet all the threshold conditions, the IRS will grant equitable relief if you establish that it would be unfair to hold you liable for the understated or unpaid tax. The IRS will consider all facts and circumstances of your case in determining whether it is unfair to hold you liable for all or part of the unpaid income tax liability or deficiency, and whether full or partial equitable relief should be granted. The factors listed below are designed as guides and not intended to be an exclusive list. Other factors relevant to your case also may be considered. In evaluating your claim for relief, no one factor or a majority of factors necessarily determines the outcome. The degree of importance of each factor varies depending on your facts and circumstances. Abuse or the exercise of financial control by your spouse (or former spouse) is a factor that may impact the other factors, as described below. Factors the IRS will consider include the following.

Marital Status

The IRS will consider whether you are no longer married to your spouse as of the date the IRS makes its determination. If you are still married to your spouse, this factor is neutral. If you are no longer married to your spouse, this factor will weigh in favor of relief. You will be treated as being no longer married to your spouse only in the following situations.

The IRS will consider whether you will suffer economic hardship if relief is not granted. For purposes of this factor, an economic hardship exists if satisfaction of the tax liability in whole or in part will cause you to be unable to pay reasonable basic living expenses. The IRS will determine whether you meet this factor based on the information you provide in Part IV of Form 8857. If denying relief will cause you to suffer economic hardship, this factor will weigh in favor of relief. If denying relief will not cause you to suffer economic hardship, this factor will be neutral.

Knowledge or Reason to Know

Understated tax on a joint return. The IRS will consider whether you knew or had reason to know of the item giving rise to the understated tax or deficiency as of the date the joint return (including a joint amended return) was filed, or the date you reasonably believed the joint return was filed. If you did not know and had no reason to know of the item giving rise to the understated tax, this factor will weigh in favor of relief. If you knew or had reason to know of the item giving rise to the understated tax, this factor will weigh against relief. Actual knowledge of the item giving rise to the understated tax or deficiency will not be weighed more heavily than any other factor. Depending on the facts and circumstances, if you were abused by your spouse or former spouse (as discussed later), or your spouse (or former spouse) maintained control of the household finances by restricting your access to financial information, and because of the abuse or financial control, you were not able to challenge the treatment of any items on the joint return for fear of your spouse's (or former spouse's) retaliation, this factor will weigh in favor of relief even if you knew or had reason to know of the items giving rise to the understated tax or deficiency.

Understated tax on a return other than a joint return. The IRS will consider whether you knew or had reason to know of an item of community income properly includible in gross income, which, under item (3) discussed earlier under Relief From Liability for Tax Attributable to an Item of Community Income, would be treated as the income of your spouse (or former spouse).

Unpaid tax. In the case of an income tax liability that was properly reported but not paid, the IRS will consider whether (as of the date the return was filed or the date you reasonably believed the return was filed) you knew or had reason to know that your spouse (or former spouse) would not or could not pay the tax liability at that time or within a reasonable period of time after the filing of the return. This factor will weigh in favor of relief if you reasonably expected your spouse (or former spouse) to pay the tax liability reported on the return. A reasonable expectation of payment will be presumed if the spouses submitted a request for an installment agreement to pay the tax reported as due on the return. To benefit from the presumption, the request for an installment agreement must be filed by the later of 90 days after the due date for payment of the tax, or 90 days after the return was filed. The request must detail the plan for paying the tax, interest, and penalties, satisfy the liability within a reasonable time, and it must not be unreasonable for you to believe that your spouse (or former spouse) will be able to make the payments contemplated in the requested installment agreement.

This factor will weigh against relief if, based on the facts and circumstances of the case, it was not reasonable for you to believe that your spouse (or former spouse) would or could pay the tax liability shown on the return. For example, if prior to the return being filed, or the date you reasonably believed the return was filed, you knew of your spouse's (or former spouse's) prior bankruptcies, financial difficulties, or other issues with the IRS or other creditors, or was otherwise aware of difficulties in timely paying bills, then this factor will generally weigh against relief.

Depending on the facts and circumstances, if you were abused by your spouse or former spouse (as discussed later), or your spouse (or former spouse) maintained control of the household finances by restricting your access to financial information, and because of the abuse or financial control, you were not able to question the payment of the taxes reported as due on the return or challenge your spouse's (or former spouse's) assurance regarding payment of the taxes for fear of his or her retaliation, this factor will weigh in favor of relief even if you knew or had reason to know about your spouse's (or former spouse's) intent or ability to pay the taxes due.

In the case of an unpaid tax on an amended return that reports a liability based on items not properly reported on the original return, the initial inquiry is whether (as of the date the amended return was filed, or the date you reasonably believed the amended return was filed) you reasonably expected that your spouse (or former spouse) would pay the tax within a reasonable period of time. If so, this factor will weigh in favor of relief. However, if it was not reasonable for you to expect that your spouse (or former spouse) would pay the tax, your knowledge or reason to know of the understated tax on the original return will also be considered. If you knew or had reason to know of the item giving rise to the understated tax on the original return, then this factor will weigh against relief. If you did not know or have reason to know of the item, then this factor will weigh in favor of relief.

Reason to know. The facts and circumstances that are considered in determining whether you had reason to know of an understated tax, or reason to know whether your spouse (or former spouse) could or would pay the reported tax liability, include, but are not limited to the following.

Abuse by your spouse (or former spouse). For purposes of the equitable relief rules, if you establish that you were the victim of abuse (not amounting to duress, which is discussed in the Instructions for Form 8857), then depending on the facts and circumstances of your situation, the abuse may result in certain factors weighing in favor of relief when otherwise the factor may have weighed against relief. Abuse comes in many forms and can include physical, psychological, sexual, or emotional abuse, including efforts to control, isolate, humiliate, and intimidate you, or to undermine your ability to reason independently and be able to do what is required under the tax laws. The IRS will consider all the facts and circumstances in determining whether you were abused. The IRS also will consider the impact of your spouse's (or former spouse's) alcohol or drug abuse in determining whether you were abused. Depending on the facts and circumstances, abuse of your child or other family member living in the household may constitute abuse of you.

Legal Obligation

The IRS will consider whether you or your spouse (or former spouse) has a legal obligation to pay the outstanding federal income tax liability. For purposes of this factor, a legal obligation is an obligation arising from a divorce decree or other legally binding agreement. This factor will weigh in favor of relief if your former spouse has the sole legal obligation to pay the outstanding income tax liability pursuant to a divorce decree or agreement. This factor will be neutral if you knew or had reason to know, when entering into the divorce decree or agreement, that your former spouse would not pay the income tax liability. This factor will weigh against relief if you have the sole legal obligation. The fact that your spouse (or former spouse) has been relieved of liability for the taxes at issue as a result of a discharge in bankruptcy is disregarded in determining whether you have the sole legal obligation. This factor will be neutral if, based on an agreement or consent order, both spouses have a legal obligation to pay the outstanding income tax liability, the spouses are not separated or divorced, or the divorce decree or agreement is silent as to any obligation to pay the outstanding income tax liability.

Significant Benefit

The IRS will consider whether you significantly benefited from the unpaid income tax liability or understated tax. A significant benefit is any benefit in excess of normal support. For example, if you enjoyed the benefits of a lavish lifestyle, such as owning luxury assets and taking expensive vacations, this factor will weigh against relief. If, however, your spouse (or former spouse) controlled the household and business finances or there was abuse (discussed earlier) such that he or she made the decision on spending funds for a lavish lifestyle, then this mitigates this factor so that it is neutral. If only your spouse (or former spouse) significantly benefitted from the unpaid tax or understatement, and you had little or no benefit, or your spouse (or former spouse) enjoyed the benefit to your detriment, this factor will weigh in favor of relief. If the amount of unpaid tax or understated tax was small such that neither spouse received a significant benefit, then this factor is neutral. Whether the amount of unpaid tax or understated tax is small such that neither spouse received a significant benefit will vary depending on the facts and circumstances of each case.

Compliance With Income Tax Laws

The IRS will consider whether you have made a good faith effort to comply with the income tax laws in the tax years following the tax year or years to which the request for relief relates.

If you are compliant for tax years after being divorced from your spouse, then this factor will weigh in favor of relief. If you are not compliant, then this factor will weigh against relief. If you made a good faith effort to comply with the tax laws but were unable to fully comply, then this factor will be neutral. For example, if you timely filed an income tax return but were unable to fully pay the tax liability due to your poor financial or economic situation after the divorce, then this factor will be neutral.

If you remain married to your spouse, whether or not legally separated or living apart, and continue to file joint returns with your spouse after requesting relief, then this factor will be neutral if the joint returns are compliant with the tax laws. If the joint returns are not compliant with the tax laws, then this factor will weigh against relief.

If you remain married to your spouse but file separate returns, this factor will weigh in favor of relief if you are compliant with the tax laws. If you are not compliant with the tax laws, then this factor will weigh against relief. If you made a good faith effort to comply with the tax laws but were unable to fully comply, then this factor will be neutral. For example, if you timely filed an income tax return but were unable to fully pay the tax liability due to your poor financial or economic situation as a result of being separated or living apart from your spouse, then this factor will be neutral.

Mental or Physical Health

The IRS will consider whether you were in poor physical or mental health. This factor will weigh in favor of relief if you were in poor mental or physical health at one of the following times.

Refunds

If you are granted relief, refunds are:

The IRS will only refund payments you made with your own money. However, you must provide proof that you made the payments with your own money. Examples of proof are a copy of your bank statement or a canceled check. No proof is required if your individual refund was used by the IRS to pay a tax you owed on a joint tax return for another year.

Limit on Amount of Refund

You are not eligible for refunds of payments made with the joint return, joint payments, or payments that your spouse (or former spouse) made. For example, withholding tax and estimated tax payments cannot be refunded because they are considered made with the joint return. However, you may be entitled to a refund of your portion of a joint overpayment from another year that was applied to the joint tax for a different year. You will need to show your portion of the joint overpayment.

The amount of your refund is limited. Read the following chart to find out the limit.

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This part explains how Janie Boulder fills out Form 8857 to request innocent spouse relief.

Janie and Joe Boulder filed a joint tax return for 2011. They claimed one dependency exemption for their son Michael. Their return was adjusted by the IRS because Joe did not report a $5,000 award he won that year. Janie did not know about the award when the return was filed. They agreed to the adjustment but could not pay the additional amount due of $815 ($650 tax + $165 penalty and interest). Janie and Joe were divorced on May 13, 2013. In February 2014, Janie filed her 2013 federal income tax return as head of household. She expected a refund of $1,203. In May 2014, she received a notice informing her that the IRS had offset her refund against the $815 owed on her joint 2011 income tax return and that she had a right to file Form 8857.

Janie applies the conditions listed earlier under Innocent Spouse Relief to see if she qualifies for relief.

Part I

Line 1. Janie checks the "Yes" box because one of the paragraphs describes her situation.

Line 2. She checks the "No" box because the IRS did not use her share of a joint refund to pay Joe's past-due debts.

Line 3. She enters "2011" on line 3 because this is the tax year for which she is requesting relief.

Part II

Line 4. She enters her name, address, social security number, county, and best daytime phone number.

Line 5. She enters Joe's name, address, and daytime phone number.

Line 6. She checks the "divorced since" box and enters the date she was divorced as "05/13/2013." She attaches a copy of her entire divorce decree (not illustrated) to the form.

Line 7. She checks the box for "High school diploma or equivalent," because she had completed high school when her 2011 joint tax return was filed.

Line 8. She checks the "No" box because she was not a victim of spousal abuse or domestic violence.

Line 9. She checks the "No" box because she did not have a mental or physical health problem when the return was filed and does not have one now.

Part III

Line 11. She checks the "Yes" box because she agreed to file a joint return.

Line 12. She checks the "Yes" box because she signed the 2011 joint tax return.

Line 13. Because she was not involved in preparing the return, she checks the box, "You were not involved in preparing the returns."

Line 14. She checks the box, "You did not know anything was incorrect or missing" because she did not know that Joe had received a $5,000 award. She explains this in the space provided.

Line 15. She checks the box, "You knew that person had income" because she knew Joe had income from wages. She also lists Joe's type of income as "wages."

Line 16. She checks the "Not applicable" box because there was no balance due on the return.

Line 17. She checks the "No" box because, when the return was filed, she was not having financial problems.

Line 18. She checks the box, "You were not involved in handling money for the household" because Joe handled all the money for the household. She provides additional information in the space provided.

Line 19. She checks the "No" box because neither she nor Joe incurred any large expenses during the year for which she wants relief or any later years.

Line 20. She checks the "No" box because Joe has never transferred money or property to her.

Part IV

Line 21. She lists her assets, which are $500 for the fair market value of a car, $450 in her checking account, and $100 in her savings account.

Line 22. She enters the number "1" on both the line for "Adults" and the line for "Children" because her current household consists of herself and her son.

Line 23. She enters her average monthly income and expenses for her entire household.

Part VII

Line 31. Janie checks the box because she wants a refund.

Because the IRS used her individual refund to pay the tax owed on the joint tax return, she does not need to provide proof of payment.

Signing and mailing Form 8857. Janie signs and dates the form. She attaches the copy of her divorce decree (not illustrated) required by line 6. Finally, she sends the form to the IRS address or fax number shown in the Instructions for Form 8857.

The following flowcharts provide a quick way for determining whether you may qualify for relief. But do not rely on these flowcharts alone. Also read the earlier discussions.

This section answers questions commonly asked by taxpayers about innocent spouse relief.

What is joint and several liability?

When you file a joint income tax return, the law makes both you and your spouse responsible for the entire tax liability. This is called joint and several liability. Joint and several liability applies not only to the tax liability you show on the return but also to any additional tax liability the IRS determines to be due, even if the additional tax is due to the income, deductions, or credits of your spouse or former spouse. You remain jointly and severally liable for taxes, and the IRS still can collect from you, even if you later divorce and the divorce decree states that your former spouse will be solely responsible for the tax.

How can I get relief from joint and several liability?

There are three types of relief for filers of joint returns: "innocent spouse relief," "separation of liability relief," and "equitable relief." Each type has different requirements. They are explained separately below.

What are the rules for innocent spouse relief?

To qualify for innocent spouse relief, you must meet all of the following conditions.

Erroneous items are any deductions, credits, or bases that are incorrectly stated on the return, and any income that is not properly reported on the return.

What is an "understated tax"?

You have an understated tax if the IRS determined that your total tax should be more than the amount actually shown on your return. For example, you reported total tax on your 2012 return of $2,500. IRS determined in an audit of your 2012 return that the total tax should be $3,000. You have a $500 understated tax.

Will I qualify for innocent spouse relief in any situation where there is an understated tax?

No. There are many situations in which you may owe tax that is related to your spouse (or former spouse), but not be eligible for innocent spouse relief. For example, you and your spouse file a joint return on which you report $10,000 of income and deductions, but you knew that your spouse was not reporting $5,000 of dividends. You are not eligible for innocent spouse relief because you have knowledge of the understated tax.

What are the rules for separation of liability relief?

Under this type of relief, you allocate (separate) the understated tax (plus interest and penalties) on your joint return between you and your spouse (or former spouse). The understated tax allocated to you is generally the amount you are responsible for. To qualify for separation of liability relief, you must have filed a joint return and meet either of the following requirements at the time you file Form 8857.

Why would a request for separation of liability relief be denied?

Even if you meet the requirements listed earlier, a request for separation of liability relief will not be granted in the following situations.

Equitable relief is only available if you meet all of the following conditions.

How do state community property laws affect my ability to qualify for relief?

Community property states are Arizona, California, Idaho, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin. Generally, community property laws provide that you and your spouse are both entitled to one-half of your total community income and expenses. However, community property laws are not taken into account in determining whether an item belongs to you or to your spouse (or former spouse) if you request relief from joint and several liability.

How do I request relief?

File Form 8857, Request for Innocent Spouse Relief, to ask the IRS for relief. You must file an additional Form 8857 if you are requesting relief for more than six years.

When should I file Form 8857?

If you are requesting innocent spouse relief or separation of liability relief, file Form 8857 no later than two years after the date on which the IRS first began collection activities against you.

If you are requesting equitable relief, see Exception for equitable relief under When To File Form 8857, earlier, for when to file Form 8857.

If you are requesting relief from liability for tax attributable to an item of community income, see How and When To Request Relief under Community Property Laws, earlier, for when to file Form 8857.

Where should I file Form 8857?

Use one of the addresses or fax number shown in the Instructions for Form 8857.

I am currently undergoing an examination of my return. How do I request innocent spouse relief?

File Form 8857 at one of the addresses or send it to the fax number shown in the Instructions for Form 8857. Do not file it with the employee assigned to examine your return.

What if the IRS has given me notice that it will levy my account for the tax liability and I decide to request relief?

Generally, the IRS has 10 years to collect an amount you owe. This is the collection statute of limitations. By law, the IRS is not allowed to collect from you after the 10-year period ends.

If you request relief for any tax year, the IRS cannot collect from you for that year while your request is pending. But interest and penalties continue to accrue. Your request is generally considered pending from the date the IRS receives your Form 8857 until the date your request is resolved. This includes the time the Tax Court is considering your request.

After your case is resolved, the IRS can begin or resume collecting from you any tax for which you are determined to remain responsible. The 10-year period will be increased by the amount of time your request for relief was pending plus 60 days. See Publication 594 for more information.

What is "injured spouse relief"?

Injured spouse relief is different from innocent spouse relief. When a joint return is filed and the refund is used to pay one spouse's past-due federal tax, state income tax, state unemployment compensation debts, child support, spousal support, or federal non-tax debt, such as a student loan, the other spouse may be considered an injured spouse. The injured spouse can get back his or her share of the joint overpayment using Form 8379, Injured Spouse Allocation.

You are considered an injured spouse if:

How To Get Tax Help

Do you need help with a tax issue or preparing your tax return, or do you need a free publication or form?

Preparing and filing your tax return. Find free options to prepare and file your return on IRS.gov or in your local community if you qualify.

Getting answers to your tax law questions. IRS.gov and IRS2Go are ready when you are--24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Where to file your tax return.

Understanding an IRS notice or letter. Enter "Understanding your notice" in the search box on IRS.gov to find additional information about your IRS notice or letter.

Visiting the IRS. Locate the nearest Taxpayer Assistance Center using the Office Locator tool on IRS.gov. Enter "office locator" in the search box. Or choose the "Contact Us" option on the IRS2Go app and search Local Offices. Before you visit, use the Locator tool to check hours and services available.

Watching IRS videos. The IRS Video portal IRSvideos.gov contains video and audio presentations on topics of interest to individuals, small businesses, and tax professionals. You'll find video clips of tax topics, archived versions of live panel discussions and Webinars, and audio archives of tax practitioner phone forums.

Getting tax information in other languages. For taxpayers whose native language is not English, we have the following resources available.

What is the Taxpayer Advocate Service?

The Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) is an independent organization within the Internal Revenue Service that helps taxpayers and protects taxpayer rights. Our job is to ensure that every taxpayer is treated fairly and that you know and understand your rights under the Taxpayer Bill of Rights.

What Can the Taxpayer Advocate Service Do For You?

We can help you resolve problems that you can't resolve with the IRS. And our service is free. If you qualify for our assistance, you will be assigned to one advocate who will work with you throughout the process and will do everything possible to resolve your issue. TAS can help you if:

We have offices in every state, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Your local advocate's number is in your local directory and at taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov. You can also call us at 1-877-777-4778.

How Can You Learn About Your Taxpayer Rights?

The Taxpayer Bill of Rights describes ten basic rights that all taxpayers have when dealing with the IRS. Our Tax Toolkit at taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov can help you understand what these rights mean to you and how they apply. These are your rights. Know them. Use them.

How Else Does the Taxpayer Advocate Service Help Taxpayers?

TAS works to resolve large-scale problems that affect many taxpayers. If you know of one of these broad issues, please report it to us at irs.gov/sams.

Low Income Taxpayer Clinics

Low Income Taxpayer Clinics (LITCs) serve individuals whose income is below a certain level and need to resolve tax problems such as audits, appeals, and tax collection disputes. Some clinics can provide information about taxpayer rights and responsibilities in different languages for individuals who speak English as a second language. To find a clinic near you, visit irs.gov/litc or see IRS Publication 4134, Low Income Taxpayer Clinic List.