My fiance has an outstanding debt with the IRS. When we get married will the IRS garnish my wages?
2007-01-15 14:48:13 · 11 answers · asked by Violet 3 in Business & Finance ➔ Personal Finance
The IRS is entitled to your income if you file jointly. I would speak to a Tax Attorney to get it straightened out because the IRS could immediately come after you but a tax attorney would be able to work either a settlement out with the IRS or either you may be able to get out of being held financially responsible. I don't see it a problem to not be held responsible for a debt that was incurred before you married.
Unfortunatley I only work in an accounting firm....not the same as a tax attorney.
2007-01-15 14:55:08 · answer #1 · answered by mailjunkie123 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Uh technically yes and no. They can try. My daughter's step mom owed money to the AF because she got a bonus while she was active duty but then lost her clearance so she basically got money for a job she couldn't do. After she got booted out the AF wanted their money back and tried to get it from my daughter's father. HE was able to fight it because it wasn't his debt but if she ever gets a job the government will garnish her wages...hence why she now sits on her butt all day and I get no child support...
anyway, you can go to lawguru.com and post your question there. Real lawyers will respond, one in your area and it's free. Catch is you can only ask one law question every 15 days. But the advice they give is legit..so go there.
I think if you can prove this happened before the marriage you should be ok, but owing the government $$ is never good, they will get it eventually, and with lots of interest!!
And just because they have an outstanding debt doesn't make them careless....you don't know the whole story
AND YES, they can and do garnish wages....It happened to my parents and the IRS withheld any future refunds until the debt was paid in full....
2007-01-15 14:56:50 · answer #2 · answered by heartache 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Mark S's answer is correct. I just wanted to add a little bit of information. Your fiance should file the delinquent tax returns & request an installment agreement in order to pay the balance owed. If the agreement is accepted by the IRS & paid as agreed (you can send payment in or set it up to be automatically withdrawn from your account each month), the IRS will not levy your property. They will take your tax refund each year so if you want to retain your part of the refund, do file the Injured Spouse form. But in all honesty, if you're trying to get the tax liability paid off as quickly as possible, I'd let them have the entire refund to reduce the debt. You can keep all of your finances separate, but unless you're making a good income, you might need his income/credit to make major purchases in the future. So if you're going to marry him, encourage him to get this IRS problem behind him & then make sure that he does.
2016-05-24 19:57:42 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The IRS seizes money from accounts, but they do not garnish wages. If the IRS suspects that your fiance, turned husband is evading taxes, by hiding his funds in your accounts, then your accounts may be frozen.
Tell your fiance to sign up for a payment plan, that way they will take no action. Unless his intent is to avoid paying altogether. In which case, you should reconsider your engagement.
2007-01-15 14:57:03 · answer #4 · answered by limendoz 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The portion of the vows which speaks about "for richer, for poorer" will have special meaning as you repeat the phrase. His debt becomes your debt. In the sense that the I.R.S. will get their money, with penalties and interest, mounting daily. His wages and all jointly held accounts and assets are subject to attachment. Any way you view it, the fact is you'll be working, in part, to pay his debt.
2007-01-15 15:52:41 · answer #5 · answered by S. B. 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If that is an issue, either pay it off or do not marry her
IRS is here today, it will be there tomorrow and the day after and it is never going to forget you !
You can always bargain with the IRS, contrary to popular belief !
Good Luck !
2007-01-15 14:55:42 · answer #6 · answered by kenneth h 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think so, especially if you file taxes jointly. I would ask a professional before you get married.
2007-01-15 14:55:52 · answer #7 · answered by teelob 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it's possible. the debt will become yours too. I would not marry until this is resolved.
2007-01-15 14:53:37 · answer #8 · answered by ima_averagejoe 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know. You should contact a tax advisor or attorney. They will know what the law has to say about this.
2007-01-15 15:42:27 · answer #9 · answered by Jen G 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Once you're married, his debt is your debt.
2007-01-15 14:55:42 · answer #10 · answered by The answer guy 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋