| If you are going to receive Innocent Spouse Tax | | | | qualify. In making your application, be certain to |
| Relief, you must be sure your filing is done absolutely in | | | | emphasize why, specifically, you qualify. |
| compliance to Internal Revenue Service requirements. | | | | It is also important to include a letter with form 8857, |
| If your request is turned down, you will not be able to | | | | explaining any details that you felt were left out by the |
| apply for innocent spouse relief again in that tax year. | | | | format of the questionnaire. This is no clear-cut |
| You need to understand all the implications of filing for | | | | process for granting innocent spouse relief, so you |
| innocent spouse relief and be able to document that | | | | need to take the opportunity to expound upon why |
| you meet the qualifications. | | | | you qualify for this assistance. Be thorough and |
| There is now only one Internal Revenue Service form | | | | articulate and you can do yourself some real good. |
| that you need to file for separation of liability, equitable | | | | Innocent spouse relief is handled on a case-by-case |
| relief, and innocent spouse relief. That is Internal | | | | basis. So the pretext of simple circumstances may not |
| Revenue Service form 8857. Internal Revenue Service | | | | be enough. The Internal Revenue Service likes as |
| form 1250 is not required any longer. You can apply | | | | much detail as possible when deciding these cases. |
| for more than one type of relief, so apply for every | | | | Innocent spouse relief is a very complicated and |
| relief category for which you feel you qualify. Even if | | | | specialized category offered by the Internal Revenue |
| you do not meet the qualifications for one category, | | | | Service. You would probably do yourself a service if |
| the Internal Revenue Service may approve you for | | | | you were to seriously consider taking your case to an |
| another. Applying under all the categories you can | | | | attorney or tax expert. You can find legal services and |
| gives you an option for denial in the others, since you | | | | tax services out there who specialize in cases of |
| might not be able to apply in that tax year again. | | | | innocent spouse relief. Because of the specific nature |
| Form 8857 will have some personal questions to which | | | | and detail of this filing it is a good idea to have |
| you need to respond honestly. Some of the questions | | | | experienced professionals who know how to present |
| may be uncomfortable, but you must answer all as | | | | your interests in order to aid you in representing your |
| thoroughly as possible if you wish to have a chance to | | | | case to the Internal Revenue Service. |