Innocent Spouse Relief Expanded

Taxpayers and lawmakers have complained that it is unfair for the IRS to limit taxpayer requests for innocent spouse relief to 2 years.  Previously, an innocent spouse could only go back 2 years from the date the IRS started its collection efforts to request equitable innocent spouse relief.  So, the time one spouse could conceal the IRS' collection activites worked against the innocent spouse. 

Bowing to concerns, the IRS has officially lifted the 2 year ban on innocent spouse relief requests and will apply these changes retroactively to pending requests and previous denials based on the limitation.  An previously denied innocent spouse must re-submit the proper forms for the request.  Call a qualified, local tax professional to assist you with this.