Dear Liz: I am 85, and my husband is 87. We are both retired. He has not paid our income tax for three to five years. I have given up trying to get him to do it. I know it’s partly my fault, as I should have taken more responsibility. What should I do? Whom should I call?
Answer: Presumably, when you write that your husband has failed to pay your taxes, you also mean he’s failed to file your returns. Failing to file actually incurs much larger penalties than failing to pay, but either way, your tax debt is likely to have grown over the years due to inaction.
Some good news: AARP Foundation Tax-Aide offers free help with tax returns, including catching up on prior year filings. Tax-Aide is designed to benefit low-to-moderate income people, particularly those 50 and older, but anyone can use its service unless their returns are particularly complex. You can find the various preparation options in your area using the locator tool at https://www.aarp.org/money/
Another option is to ask friends and family for a referral to tax professionals they trust. You can use the IRS Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers to verify credentials.
Recognizing and coping with cognitive changes can be terribly difficult. Your husband may have been too proud to say that he’s no longer capable of this chore. But as you noted, taxes are typically a joint responsibility and now it’s your turn to step up and get the help you both need.
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