Screwed by the IRS....

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

I was divorced in 1992 and my ex re-did our last joint return after I thought it was done and over leaving me owing them $90.00.

I didn't know about this until last week when thay gave me a Christmas present by attaching my paycheck and leaving me with $150.00 a week left for me until I pay a debt they say I owe that is in the thousands after penalties and interest. Shit.

Another reason to love the American system.

[eyesroll]

1. You may be able to file for innocent spouse relief

if your ex legitimately screwed you over without your knowledge. Check irs.gov.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

3. Thanks for the tip. I'll check it out.

But even if I can get it corrected, it has already screwed up my Xmas by leaving me hand to mouth until it gets fixed.

[Pam-Moby]

2. Would your ex wife sign your signature on the

tax return from when you were married?

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

5. That's exactly what she did....

She refiled and forged my name.

[CountAllVotes]

14. that is illegal and fraudulent

I believe that you have a serious problem, or should I say your ex does. Forging YOUR signature? And now YOU are liable? :wtf:

I agree with others on this thread, get yourself an ex-IRS guy to help you or call the IRS up.

They are humans, yes they are and they are doing their job. If you hire someone to help you, you can likely get off the hook for this.

In the meantime, your ex that forged your signature should be a tad bit worried I might suggest.

:kick:

[ugarte]

4. That's outrageous

And you just now got a notice of an amount owed? After 13 years? The first thing you need to do is to see one of these ex-IRS guys that knows the system. It'll cost a little, but he can negotiate an easier payment plan and get that lien lifted.

[Nye Bevan]

6. I believe there is a 10 year statute of limitations...

on the collection of unpaid taxes.

See http://taxes.about.com/od/taxtrouble/a/back_taxes_3.htm

So I don't understand how the IRS can go after you 13 years later. Check with an accountant if you haven't already.

[ugarte]

7. There's no statute of limitations on unpaid taxes, only on audits...

But I wish there was. Those penalties and interest keep going up and up. But they WILL negotiate down and big time. First you just gotta talk to them. They aren't monsters, just people doing a job.

[intheozone]

18. There is a 10-year statute of limitation on collection

of tax owed to IRS. The statute runs from the date of assessment. If not collected within the 10 years (assuming no extensions or tolling of the statute), collection is then barred.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

8. Unfortunately, it will probably cost more to fix it than to pay it right

now. I can't afford a tax attorney with my wages being garnished.

I think that's part of the process, kick 'em while they're down and they can't fight back.

[ugarte]

10. I'm not talking about a tax attorney

You don't need an attorney. You need an ex-IRS guy. They don't charge what an attorney charges. Ask any tax accountant.

[LizW]

11. You're probably right

The same thing happened to my husband soon after we were married. His ex-wife submitted to the audit without his knowledge and signed an agreement to pay. Then she promptly moved to another state and dropped out of sight. Since they couldn't find her, they came after him.

We borrowed the money and paid it off. It was infuriating, but saved us a lot of aggravation and time.

[Horse with no Name]

12. Check your messages. eom

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

13. Thanks. Did. Sounds like good advice. I'll try it Monday.

[Horse with no Name]

15. Just remember

They will IMMEDIATELY lift the garnishment...it takes no longer than 24 hours for them to send the fax--that will certainly help you out before Christmas.
Good luck.

[BlueEyedSon]

9. Isn't there a time limit on a "corrected" return?

[MercutioATC]

16. Not in cases of fraud, I don't believe.

A tax attorney would know better than I, however.

[Cleita]

17. By all means talk to them even if you have to try to get

through to them before the office opens and hang on the phone until someone answers. They can be reasonable if you present a reasonable scenario to them and if you have been consistent in paying your taxes in a timely manner in the past.