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Publication 971 2003 Tax Year

Publication 971
Introductory Material

This is archived information that pertains only to the 2003 Tax Year. If you
are looking for information for the current tax year, go to the Tax Prep Help Area.

Table of Contents

Important Note

This edition of Publication 971 has been revised to cover final IRS regulations relating to innocent spouse relief. However, it does not cover final regulations relating to the relief discussed under Community Property Laws or Revenue Procedure 2003–61, which provides guidance for requesting Equitable Relief. These will be covered in a future edition.

Introduction

Many married taxpayers choose to file a joint tax return because of certain benefits this filing status allows. Both taxpayers are jointly and individually responsible for the tax and any interest or penalty due on the joint return even if they later divorce. This is true even if a divorce decree states that a former spouse will be responsible for any amounts due on previously filed joint returns. One spouse may be held responsible for all the tax due even if all the income was earned by the other spouse.

In some cases, a spouse will be relieved of the tax, interest, and penalties on a joint tax return. Three types of relief are available.

  1. Innocent spouse relief.
  2. Relief by separation of liability.
  3. Equitable relief.

This publication explains these types of relief, who may qualify for them, and how to get them. You can also use the Innocent Spouse Tax Relief Eligibility Explorer at www.irs.gov to see if you qualify for innocent spouse relief. Click on “Individuals,” “Innocent Spouses,” and “Explore if you are an Eligible Innocent Spouse.”

Married persons who did not file joint returns in community property states may also qualify for relief. See Community Property Laws, later.

What this publication does not cover.

This publication does not discuss filing an injured spouse claim. You are an injured spouse if your share of the overpayment shown on your joint return was, or is expected to be, applied against your spouse's past-due federal debts, state taxes, or child or spousal support payments. If you are an injured spouse, you may be entitled to receive a refund of your share of the overpayment. For more information, get Form 8379, Injured Spouse Claim and Allocation.

Comments and suggestions.

We welcome your comments about this publication and your suggestions for future editions.

You can e-mail us at *[email protected]. Please put “Publications Comment” on the subject line.

You can write to us at the following address:


Internal Revenue Service
Individual Forms and Publications Branch
SE:W:CAR:MP:T:I
1111 Constitution Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20224

We respond to many letters by telephone. Therefore, it would be helpful if you would include your daytime phone number, including the area code, in your correspondence.

Useful Items - You may want to see:

Forms (and instructions)

  • 8857
    Request for Innocent Spouse Relief
  • 12510
    Questionnaire for Requesting Spouse

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