I just got divorced at the beginning of this year. My ex and I are on “neutral” terms. Here’s the issue, it’s tax season and I’m the one who always did all the adult stuff in our relationship. So I do some research and learned that because we were legally still married at the end of the year it would be more beneficial to file jointly and split the tax return. So I filled out all my information and then got a hold of my ex’s W2 only to learn that somehow this person managed to not pay any federal taxes at all for the entire year. I never saw any of their paystubs so I didn’t know this was happened. Now if we file jointly I’m responsible for paying the tax penalty for this person. I paid my taxes, I don’t feel that I should be held responsible for my ex being irresponsible. My ex is throwing a hissy fit saying that I owe half the money and that I have to pay it because we didn’t get the divorce til this year even though we were separated. WIBTA if I filed separately and told them it’s not my problem because I paid my taxes?
NTA, Not your problem, they did not pay tax that is on them.
Let them throw a fit too bad so sad
NTA and I can see why they’re the ex. Financial abuse is a common means of control that’s often hard to spot since it often takes forms like this, where you do something practical and learn they set it up so it would hurt you.
I would honestly assume them not paying taxes was deliberate, especially if they managed in years past, and I can understand not wanting to pay thousands to the IRS, but they reap what they sow so 🤷♂️
NTA. Go hire a CPA. You will want a formal trail here.
NTA, in fact, you can file separately if you guys were still married but separated or even on good terms. There is no law that requires any sort of filing as long as you file. It would be crazy to let her spend all that money all year long and now expect you to pay half of it back. Shame on her for not adulting. Tell her “welcome to the single life” lol.
NTA
This is why there is the box. “Married filing Separately “.
Their attempt at tax evasion is their problem. You DO realize they did this on purpose, right?
You don’t suddenly become tax exempt without filing a W4 AND justifying choosing to be exempt.
Their problem and now they get the huge underpayment penalty.
Nope look up injured spouse filings, it should help protect you
It doesnt matter if you were married last year
You arent required to file jointly and handle his half of the tax obligation. Thats his problem. He needs to grow up and hire his own tax guy
Or charge him $5k. I dont know if there are rules about how much you can charge
Absolutely file separately. You shouldn’t be penalized for your ex’s bad behavior. YWNBTA.
The whole point of being separated is not to have to deal with this – you are NTA
NTA file separately, especially if you were separated last year, had no idea they weren’t paying taxes, and had no input on that decision.
Talk to your divorce lawyer or your/a tax accountant. My guess File separately is probably what both will say. Sounds like getting divorced from this person is the best thing for you.
NTA, if they were having taxes withheld in previous years and it magically stopped this year, that’s at best a foolish decision on your ex’s part and possibly a financially abusive move. Either way, you filing individually makes sense for many reasons (already separated, dividing assets, pending divorce) and this is just another one.
Aside… I’m mildly shocked at how many responses are assuming this is a woman posting about her husband. The post is carefully written to not use pronouns that would reveal roles in the marriage. Props to the author for doing that so they can get sincere, unbiased advice (even though many responses are self-disclosing their biases).
Ok, legally no one ever has to file a joint return with their spouse. The law specifically allows a spouse to say no and to file separately. Therefore, unless your divorce decree orders you to file a joint return you are NOT required to do so and you should NOT do so unless the harm to you would be minimal. You are divorced, you do not owe your ex anything in regards to taxes.
So, feel perfectly free to tell them that it is not your problem.
Nta
Any hit for filing separately will be significantly cheaper than covering the ex’s taxes.