Are you responsible for back taxes if you marry someone who owes back taxes?

Technically, no. If you filed your own returns for those years and your returns were fine, it's your spouse's balance. It only becomes your balance if you were married and filing jointly on the year with a balance.

However, your spouses ability to pay his/her tax debt is based on HOUSEHOLD income and expenses. This means that although getting married won't affect you, getting married will affect your spouse. More directly, the IRS will expect more money from him/her quicker.

Hope that helps!

Andrea

www.TaxFacts4U.com