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What Tax Matters Come Up in Divorce Proceedings?
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Understanding Tax and Financial Obligations in Divorce
Far more obligations and responsibilities arise when a marriage dissolves than the parties may have expected. Financial obligations, in particular, often prove to be the most surprising when spouses go through a divorce. One spouse might not realize he or she must deal with a tax debt even though the other spouse earned all the income. While few would prefer to be burdened with paying debts, learning about such financial obligations during the divorce process at least provides a legal remedy to addressing tax requirements.
Legal Advice Isn’t Tax Advice
A divorce attorney represents spouses in Family Court intending to procuretcome based on the case details’ particulars that do arise in court proceedings. Divorce attorneys are not, however, tax specialists. Anyone with questions about tax obligations, issues related to filing taxes, delinquency or non-compliance concerns, and other responsibilities would likely benefit from procuring the services of an accountant, CPA, or tax attorney.
Also, those reading this section should not consider anything presented herein as tax advice. Instead, the content seeks to provide general information about issues related to taxes in a divorce case. Again, refer all questions related to taxes to a qualified tax professional.
Taxes and a Divorce Settlement
After a divorce case, the two parties arrive at a settlement agreement. The document can be deemed an acknowledgment of and an obligation to adhere to agreements reached between the separating spouses. Child support, alimony, a division of property and other marital assets, and more can be noted in the settlement agreement. Yes, tax issues can be detailed in the settlement agreement as well.
For example, under the law, married couples filing jointly both accept responsibility for the tax debt owed on the return. According to the Internal Revenue Service, if one spouse chooses not to pay, the IRS can seek payment from the other spouse. This can be the case even when one spouse earns 80% of the yearly income.
In a settlement agreement, the parties may agree to address the tax obligations more equitably and feasibly. So, the spouse who earned 80% of the income can agree to pay 80% of the debt per the settlement agreement. This is but one example. A settlement agreement could arrive at many different outcomes regarding paying taxes owed or cashing a refund check. Divorced spouses can agree on 50/50 arrangements to pay taxes or split refunds. Or the agreement could go 100% to one spouse. Different accounts occur since no standardized and uniform way for spouses to settle anything.
When couples divorce, they find themselves married for part of the year and single the rest. This creates questions surrounding tax filing status. One spouse cannot file a joint return with a spouse who filed a separate return. The expected return can’t be filed unless the spouse signs off. What tax filing status will be selected for the tax year? This becomes something the divorce attorneys and the spouses try to work out. In the settlement agreement, anything agreed upon finds itself in the document.
Spouses with children ask questions about claiming children as dependents on a tax return. In claiming a dependent, the taxpayer finds his or her tax debt reduced. Three children mean three dependents and a significant decrease in taxable income. Although both spouses divorce, the two continue to support the children. Who can claim the child as a dependent? The divorce settlement agreement could answer that question in unambiguous terms.
A typical example of how dependent claims are settled involves one parent claiming the child one year and the other claiming the child the next. Or, if there is more than one child, one parent could claim a single child as a dependent, and the other parent could argue the other children as dependents. The parents may very well reverse positions the following year, alternating the same way as would be the case in the previous example of a single child.
Remember, a form may need to be filed with the IRS to establish the dependent claim agreement with the IRS.
This reflects one of the more complicated aspects of tax liabilities. Not all personal property comes with tax obligations. Jointly-owned furniture doubtfully comes with tax liabilities. A home, however, presents potential capital gains obligations once sold. As with income, someone has to pay the tax due.
What about the rollover of an individual retirement account (IRA) or a 401k? Would taxes be triggered when funds travel from one spouse to another now that both would maintain separate accounts? Working with a tax professional to find definitive answers to these questions would be prudent. A tax professional can assist with taking the proper steps to avoid incurring tax obligations due to making a mistake with the transfer. Of course, determinations related to payments and transfers can be woven into the divorce settlement agreement.
Attorneys and Negotiations
To sign a settlement agreement, an actual agreement must be reached. Careful negotiations must be undertaken for all parties to feel comfortable to sign off on a settlement. Those hoping the settlement agreement serves them well might find it wise to hire an attorney who serves them well.