Confused In California

[mukiman]

What is the name of your state? CALIFORNIA
My ex-husband and i divorced in 97 and owed some taxes. When we divorced we agreed mutually that I would pay all the credit card debt etc and he took all the IRS debt. (The reason he got stuck with the IRS debt. was because he was not paying it like he said he had been).
I paid my part of the divorce order agreement immediately, while he sat on his for years. Finally the IRS came after us, since the IRS does not honor civil orders. Last year my ex filed an offer in compromise for the full tax debt minus the interest and penalties. The IRS accepted it and he paid it in full. The problem is that he only listed his SS#, because he was told by his tax lawyer if he included mine the IRS would look at my current husbands income and reject the offer.
Now the IRS is going after ME ! I never worked while we were married and have not worked since. I know i can sue him in civil court, but if the tax debt was paid in full, why are thay going after me at all?
Also, someone told me there was a 10 yr. limit after which they can't go after you? Any truth to this?
I know it seems stupid that i did not press this issue earlier but I never imagined they would go after me if the debt was paid !
Any advice?
Debbie

 

[LdiJ]

What is the name of your state? CALIFORNIA
My ex-husband and i divorced in 97 and owed some taxes. When we divorced we agreed mutually that I would pay all the credit card debt etc and he took all the IRS debt. (The reason he got stuck with the IRS debt. was because he was not paying it like he said he had been).
I paid my part of the divorce order agreement immediately, while he sat on his for years. Finally the IRS came after us, since the IRS does not honor civil orders. Last year my ex filed an offer in compromise for the full tax debt minus the interest and penalties. The IRS accepted it and he paid it in full. The problem is that he only listed his SS#, because he was told by his tax lawyer if he included mine the IRS would look at my current husbands income and reject the offer.
Now the IRS is going after ME ! I never worked while we were married and have not worked since. I know i can sue him in civil court, but if the tax debt was paid in full, why are thay going after me at all?
Also, someone told me there was a 10 yr. limit after which they can't go after you? Any truth to this?
I know it seems stupid that i did not press this issue earlier but I never imagined they would go after me if the debt was paid !
Any advice?
Debbie

You need to get yourself a consult with a tax professional.....probably a tax attorney ASAP. You are going to need help on this one. Its possible that you are going to be stuck with the IRS debt and will have to go after your ex civilly.

 

[SAK2000]

I'm interested in knowing about that 10 year limit question.

 

[Snipes5]

The IRS has ten years after an assessment is issued to collect on a tax debt.

Snipes

 

[SAK2000]

Is an assessment the same as a lien?

 

[Snipes5]

No. A lien is what they typically do after trying unsuccessfully for approximately 6 months to get you to pay your debt.

The assessment is where they tell you how much you owe them after an audit, or what is on the bottom line of the return on its due date.

If they have sent you a letter after an audit or other type of review, it will say "Notice of Assessment" at the top.

This is very different from "Notice of Lien" or "Notice of Intent to Levy".

Snipes

 

[mukiman]

We just consulted with a tax attorney yesterday, and yes it's 10 years from the date of assesment. But, if you file any type of 'offer in compromise" that can and will prolong the statute date. It's a no win situation. The quicker you get it paid the better.