THE CASE OF “THE INJURED SPOUSE HEALING”

Boris and Karla have two children. Boris has MS and can’t work. Karla works as a cleaning lady and maid to make ends meet. Boris has delinquent child support from a previous relationship. Since Karla works she wants to protect herself and her family for the State grabbing her $4000 IRS refund so she uses a professional tax preparer.

They came to us when the refund was taken anyway. We discovered that the tax preparer had filed the wrong form and on that form had listed Boris as married to himself. We’re no attorney, but, we have a feeling that relationship is illegal.

We advised the client to go back to the original preparer and threaten to sue them for their socks unless they undid their screw up. They filed the forms properly and the client got their money back. Nothing lost except a little less sleep and some time.

The injured spouse form is inexpensive insurance against this happening to you. But, if it does, you can file this form after the original tax return has been filed.