What if my ex wife refuses to pay half of the tax penalty?

Question

Recently on 4/24/07 I recieved a tax penalty in the mail from 2001. Me and my ex-wife were married between 2000 and 2005 aprox. She failed to pay some taxes on her job because she was paid under the table. I am now remarried and have a daughter. My ex-wife has always been controlling and abusive and always blamed me for everything. Well when I called her the other day to ask her to pay half of the $1044.00 debt she told me you know what you are responsible because you always took care of the bills and then I try to explain to her and she said why do you keep talking so I stopped. Then she just said she will not pay. So I live in another state and to fly over and take her to court would cost $500 at least so that would already be more her half so I would lose the money anyways. Is there anything I can do to not be walked over again I feel so bad about losing this money too. Thanks for all of your help and answers!

Answer 1

Quite honestly, I think you will end up paying the whole amount of the $1,044. The fact that she said "you are responsible for the bills means nothing." If the income was hers, she is responsible for her share.

My advice for you is to pay the amount now in order to stop the interest and penalties, and then go after the ex-wife for her fair share. Uncle Sam will slap you with tax liens if you don't pay him.

If you want to push it, you could take it to small claims court. I think it will be like pulling teeth to get any money out of her. Even if you get a judgment, it will be difficult to collect. If it would cost you $500 to sue her, it is more practical for you to "eat" the entire tax bill. It pains me that I had to say that, but it is an understandable conclusion.

Answer 2

The fact that you always took care of the bills has nothing at all to do with who is responsible for them. This bill is owed to the inland revenue. You don't have to deal with it. What you need to do is to explain that this was your ex wifes tax avoidance, not yours, therefore she is responsible for it so will they please bill her for it, not you.

The problem is between the inland revenue and your wife.

My guess is that the worst they would do is say the you have to pay half because you were married to her at the time. Then you have what you asked her for anyway and if she doesn't pay her half that will be her problem, not yours.

So, start by talking to the tax office.

Answer 3

Take small convenience contained in the actual undeniable actuality that the IRS is likely going after her for it to boot. it would surely be nicely worth a call to the IRS and note what they ought to assert -- and perchance an hour of an criminal professional's time for practise to boot. will be nicely worth paying it off and then suing in Small Claims court docket if purely to provide a message.