I recently got married. I owe back taxes from years prior to the marriage. How can my tax debt effect my spouses income/assets

The impact of your back taxes on your spouse will be a function of your tax filing status and whether you maintain any joint financial accounts. If you file as married filing jointly, any tax refund due to your spouse may be intercepted, but if you file as married doing separately, then her refund may not be intercepted. Keeping separate financial accounts will also provide further protection. Please click “thumbs up” if you’ve found this helpful and/or informative. DISCLAIMER & IRS Circular 230 DISCLOSURE: The information in this answer is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this communication should be taken as legal advice for any case or situation. Nothing herein is intended as legal advice. You should not rely upon any information as a source of legal advice, and your receipt or viewing of any such information does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and James E. Pratt. IRS Circular 230 Disclosure: To comply with requirements imposed by the IRS, we inform you that any U. S. federal tax advice contained herein (including any attachments), unless specifically stated otherwise, is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purposes of (i) avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code or (ii) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any transaction or matter herein.

You should definitely keep your finances and assets separate until you resolve this tax matter. Have you considered an Offer in Compromise to resolve the liability? If you have no income and no substantial assets, that may be a good way to go.

You and your spouse should file married/separate until you get your tax situation cleared up. If you file jointly, they will keep your spouse's refund and use it to pay off your debt. THESE COMMENTS ARE NOT LEGAL ADVICE. They are provided for informational purposes only. Actual legal advice can only be provided after consultation by an attorney licensed in your jurisdiction. Answering this question does not create an attorney-client relationship or otherwise require further consultation.