If I marry someone with a hugh tax debt will I be stuck paying for it once we marry?

First off, is the really the type of situation you want to marry? How can a person not work for ten years? How does he live? Just food for thought. That said, the IRS can and will levy his assets. While it would be helpful to consult a tax attorney, my first recommendation is to not have any joint assets that you can't afford to lose. File separate tax returns and see the advice of an accountant or tax attorney to help protect you.

I agree with the previous answer. Has your boyfriend been contacted by the IRS recently? Remember also that there is a difference between paying taxes and filing tax returns. It sounds as if your boyfriend did neither. If he wants to get his affairs straightened out, he needs to hire a tax attorney, who will in turn hire a CPA to prepare the returns. Plus, the attorney will request your boyfriend's tax transcript, which is the official file the IRS keeps. The transcript will show which returns have been filed and what income has been reported. this will be a starting point for developing a strategy. If he chooses not to get things cleaned up, or until he does, you should consider not commingling assets, such as bank accounts, and keeping your assets separate, and filing marreid separate tax returns.

You are not generally responsible for taxes from a year in which you did not file a joint tax return. However, if you buy assets jointly, those assets could be subject to liens from the IRS. You should encourage your boyfriend to get this straightened up. It may be possible to structure an installment plan or to make an "Offer in Compromise" on his past tax liability.