When you file a joint tax return, both you and your spouse are equally responsible for any taxes owed—even if one of you earned all the income or made all the financial decisions. But what if your spouse (or ex-spouse) made mistakes, committed fraud, or hid income without your knowledge?
You might not have to pay the price.
Thanks to Innocent Spouse Relief, you may be able to avoid tax liability that was unfairly placed on your shoulders. At Burgess Tax Relief, we help clients across the country pursue this type of relief and break free from tax debt they never should have owed in the first place.
What Is Innocent Spouse Relief?
Innocent Spouse Relief is an IRS program designed to protect taxpayers from being held responsible for a joint tax debt caused by their spouse’s error or misconduct. If approved, it can remove your liability for:
- Underreported income
- Disallowed deductions or credits
- Unpaid tax due to fraud or concealment
This relief is especially helpful in cases involving divorce, separation, or financial abuse.
Who Might Qualify for Innocent Spouse Relief?
You may be eligible if:
✔ You filed a joint return with your spouse or ex-spouse.
✔ The tax debt is due to your spouse’s error, not yours.
✔ At the time you signed the return, you did not know (and had no reason to know) that there was an error.
✔ Holding you responsible would be unfair based on your circumstances (e.g., abuse, deceit, financial hardship).
There are also other forms of relief under the Innocent Spouse umbrella:
- Separation of Liability Relief – For divorced or legally separated individuals.
- Equitable Relief – For cases that don’t qualify for other types but still seem unfair.
Example: How Innocent Spouse Relief Works
Let’s say Maria and her husband filed joint returns for several years. Unbeknownst to her, he was running a side business and failed to report the income. Years later, the IRS audited those returns and assessed a large tax bill.
By that point, they were divorced, and Maria had no knowledge of the hidden income. With help from a tax resolution professional, Maria:
✔ Demonstrated that she was unaware of the unreported income.
✔ Showed that her ex-husband controlled the finances and concealed key documents.
✔ Filed a timely request for Innocent Spouse Relief.
The IRS approved her request and removed her responsibility for the back taxes and penalties—saving her tens of thousands of dollars.
How We Can Help
Pursuing Innocent Spouse Relief requires detailed documentation and a clear explanation of your circumstances. At Burgess Tax Relief, we:
✔ Evaluate your eligibility for all three types of relief.
✔ Gather supporting evidence, such as financial records and affidavits.
✔ Draft a compelling narrative that supports your claim.
✔ Handle all communication and negotiation with the IRS.
✔ Explore other tax resolution options if needed.
Take Back Control
Don’t let someone else’s mistakes ruin your financial future. If you believe you’ve been unfairly saddled with a tax debt due to your spouse’s actions, you have rights—and we can help you assert them.
Contact Burgess Tax Relief today for a free consultation and find out if Innocent Spouse Relief is right for you.
