The IRS will not make it easier for spouses to avoid shared tax debt

The US Treasury Department has withdrawn proposed rules that would have made it easier for married individuals to get relief from shared tax liability. This means spouses who filed joint returns will continue to face the same hurdles when trying to separate their tax debts.

The IRS had considered making it simpler for one spouse to avoid responsibility for the other's tax errors or fraud, especially in cases of abuse or abandonment. By withdrawing these proposed changes, the agency signals it will not loosen the rules. This keeps the burden on individuals to prove they should not be held responsible for their spouse's tax issues.