# I'm FUCKED!!! (tax-related)

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-fucked-tax-related/240084>\
**Category:** The BBQ Pit\
**Created:** [April 15, 2004, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-fucked-tax-related/240084 "2004-04-15T01:25:28Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 4

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**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\
**Post date:** [April 20, 2004, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-fucked-tax-related/240084/61 "2004-04-20T13:20:58Z")

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> [@DrDeth](#):
>
> That is only supposed to happen if you “default”. I do agree in the "jackboot days’ of the IRS the list of things that would make you default was long and confusing. One was filing a new 1040 with another balance due. But I would be willing to bet that somehow your husband “defaulted”. Things are different now. I’d rather owe $$ to the IRS than most CC companies.

No, he didn’t default. He is one of the most diligent bill payers I’ve ever seen. We are never late on payments and never bounce checks. This happened in the early 80s, and they were ruthless.

His ex-wife, on the other hand, has been paying business taxes in arrears for years and years. I think she’s working on 2001 or 2002 right now. She drives a limo and just can’t seem to get caught up.

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**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\
**Post date:** [April 21, 2004, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-fucked-tax-related/240084/62 "2004-04-21T22:55:16Z")

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If they filed Joint, and then she owed, that would be a 'default", under the old rules at least. Note that you could 'default" for many things other than just not paying a bill on time- like I said- filing another return with another balance due would make you default.

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**Author:** ![mascaroni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dc4da7/32.png) [@mascaroni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mascaroni)\
**Post date:** [April 21, 2004, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-fucked-tax-related/240084/63 "2004-04-21T23:32:31Z")

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I’ve no experience of the U.S. IRS so I don’t know if this is relevant…

In general when dealing with debts etc., I would recommend calling them before they call you. Speak to someone, politely tell them your problem and give them an indication of when you think it can be resolved. Unless you’re unlucky and get the office asshole, you’ll be met with someone who can offer constructive advice… and often write a little note on your file mentioning that you’re making an effort to sort things out.

Like I say, I don’t know if this would work with the IRS but, IMO, it would be worth a try.

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