Ex-spouse Tax Liability

[JohnH]

Don't know if it will work in your case - nobody knows until you make the call. But the conference call is frequently overlooked as as simple, straightforward way to solve problems with IRS. Most situations can be resolved on a conference call that takes less time than the total time expended filling out a POA, getting it signed, sent in, acknowledged, etc. The conference call saves all the hassles of POA's, mixed messages, etc, and delays (which is the last thing you need right now).

I'd go for it if I were you - your client and you have nothing to lose.

[equinecpa]

Update: I haven't arranged a conference call but talked to a very rude lady in collections today. She actually hung up on me when I asked for her name and badge # (I didn't write it down at the beginning of our call-foolish of me.).

She says my client needs an installment agreement to get the levy removed.

I have a copy of the acknowledgment of the Ex-spouses installment agreement in hand. It covers the year in question.

The joint account transcript for the year in questions shows zero balance due. There is an entry back in 2010 writing off the balance of the account (a code 604 entry says write-off balance due).

My questions:

If an account is in collections does the balance due show on the transcript? As I say this one shows as written off -I don't know if that means collection activity should cease or if the balance has been moved to an off transcript liability somewhere.

Secondly, if one spouse has an installment agreement on a joint account does that stop levy activities on the account or do BOTH spouses need a signed installment agreement.

I called back to taxpayers advocate today and had a case started.

[JohnH]

If she was rude, then the best thing that could happen was for her to hang up on you. It's virtually certain that the conversation wasn't going to improve, so you needed to get off the line. She did you a favor by hanging up. Personally, I wouldn't report her even if I had her badge number.

If I connect to a rude, curt, or grumpy person I always find an excuse to get off the line (can't find a piece of paper, just knew I had it in front of me, I need to ask the client for more data - anything to terminate the call.) They have hundreds (maybe thousands) of people in collections and I find most of them to be courteous, reasonable, and results-oriented. Better to get off the phone when you get someone who's harboring some sort of grudge, dealing with an inferiority complex, or on a power trip. Then call back later and keep doing that until you connect with someone with compassion.