Divorced? Here’s How to Handle IRS Joint Tax Debt!

Chad Dickinson • February 20, 2025

If you’ve gone through a divorce and still have IRS tax debt from a joint return, you might be wondering what happens next. Does your divorce decree protect you? Can the IRS come after you for the full amount? What steps should you take to separate your liability from your ex-spouse?

In this blog, we’ll cover what you need to know about handling joint tax debt after a divorce and how you can protect yourself from unwanted tax liabilities.

Understanding Joint and Several Liability

When you file married filing jointly, the IRS holds both spouses responsible for the entire tax debt. This means:

The IRS can collect 100% of the balance from either spouse
Your divorce decree does NOT override the IRS’s ability to collect from you
The IRS will not automatically split the debt 50/50

This surprises many taxpayers who assume their divorce decree protects them from responsibility. Unfortunately, the IRS does not follow family court orders when it comes to collecting tax debt.

How to Separate Your Tax Debt After Divorce

The best way to handle tax debt after a divorce is through a process called mirroring. This process does not eliminate your liability, but it allows you to address your tax balance individually, without your ex-spouse being involved.

Mirroring takes about 90 days
Once complete, each spouse can negotiate their own resolution with the IRS
This means you can qualify for tax relief based on your financial situation

Mirroring doesn’t mean the IRS splits the balance in half—it simply allows each ex-spouse to handle their portion of the debt independently.

Watch the Full Video Explanation Here:

Need Help Resolving IRS Tax Debt?

At Arch Tax, we help taxpayers navigate complex IRS issues, including joint tax debt, audits, and tax resolution strategies. If you need help separating your liability or negotiating a settlement, click here and contact us today!

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