Innocent Spouse Relief

You Are NOT Responsible for the Misdeeds of Your Spouse… If You Know What Steps to Take.

You’re in luck! The IRS has provisions for an “Innocent Spouse”.

“Innocent Spouse Relief provides you relief from additional tax you owe if your spouse or former spouse failed to report income, reported income improperly or claimed improper deductions or credits.” – IRS Topic 205

Under certain circumstances, you may be resolved of any misdeeds of a spouse or former spouse involving income tax fraud.

Most married couples file their tax returns jointly. There are certainly benefits to this, but if there were certain “errors” or “mistakes” on your joint return and it was your (present or former) spouse’s fault, you could be in luck. There are provisions in the Tax code that will let you out of a tax burden that was not your fault. But, it will need to be proven. We can help.

To ensure yourself the best possible outcome, it is best to take action as soon as you realize there is a problem.

We can review your situation and help you determine your options and file for Innocent Spouse Relief when necessary.

Let Us Help:

What Happens If You Don’t Pay Payroll Taxes, Tacoma Business Owners

Quick Answer: If your business falls behind on payroll taxes, the IRS has the legal authority to look past your corporation or LLC shield and hold you personally liable for the employee's withheld portion under the Trust Fund Recovery Penalty. Because these debts...

How 529 Plans Are Taxed for Tacoma Families

Quick Answer: Contributions to a 529 plan are made with post-tax dollars, allowing your investment to compound shielded from federal and state capital gains taxes during the growth phase. Withdrawals are 100% tax-free when used for qualified education...

How Does the Lifetime Learning Credit Work for Tacoma Students, Parents, and Professionals?

Quick Answer: The Lifetime Learning Credit (LLC) is a non-refundable federal tax credit worth up to $2,000 per tax return. It’s calculated as 20% of the first $10,000 in qualifying higher education tuition and fees, with no limit on the number of tax years it can...

What If I Can’t Pay The IRS What I Owe? Help for Tacoma Taxpayers

Quick Answer: If you can't pay the IRS what you owe by the notice deadline, the IRS will not immediately seize your paycheck or freeze your bank account. Missing the date does, however, trigger a predictable sequence of automated mail notices. You still have time...

Should Tacoma Homeowners Add A Name To A Deed?

Quick Answer: While it’s mechanically simple to add a name to a deed, doing so during your lifetime is a financial mistake that triggers unexpected IRS gift tax reporting and destroys your child's future stepped-up basis tax shield. To safely bypass probate court...

What Is the US Retirement Age Timeline for Tacoma Retirees?

Quick Answer: The official US Full Retirement Age is 67 for anyone born in 1960 or later, but true retirement is an 11-to-13-year financial timeline stretching from age 62 to age 73 or 75. Your specific birth year determines where you fall on this milestone spectrum,...

How to Stop a Levy on Your Tacoma Bank Account After an IRS Notice

Quick Answer: You stop an IRS levy or wage garnishment by acting fast, confirming what the IRS is trying to collect, and getting into a formal resolution before more money is taken. Depending on your situation, that can mean requesting a hearing, setting up a...

Supporting Tacoma Charities? How 2026 OBBBA Charitable Giving Contributions Work

Quick Answer: Effective for the 2026 tax year, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) establishes a new universal deduction allowing non-itemizers to deduct up to $1,000 ($2,000 for married couples) for qualified cash donations directly from their income. And...

Calculating Crypto Taxes Simplified For Tacoma Investors

Quick Answer: Crypto taxes are calculated by subtracting your cost basis from your gross proceeds for each taxable sale, swap, or purchase made with cryptocurrency. The IRS treats crypto as property, so selling crypto, trading one token for another, or earning...

Is Student Loan Forgiveness Taxable for Tacoma Taxpayers in 2026?

Quick AnswerStudent loan forgiveness may count as taxable income in 2026 if the forgiven balance does not qualify for a separate federal exclusion. Long-term income-driven repayment forgiveness is the main area where borrowers may face a tax bill. Public Service Loan...

Ready to come in for an appointment?

Click here to schedule a time to meet with us. We will NOT make dealing with a tax professional as painful as it’s been in the past!