How to Find Out If Your Spouse Filed Taxes

Determining whether your spouse has filed taxes is an important aspect of financial transparency and planning within a marriage. Tax filing status affects legal obligations, potential refunds, liabilities, and overall financial health. Understanding how to verify tax filings is essential for maintaining trust and ensuring compliance with tax laws.

Reviewing IRS Online Tools

The IRS offers online resources to check if your spouse has filed taxes. The “Get Transcript” service lets individuals view tax account transactions, tax return details, and wage and income data. Accessing this tool requires identity verification. By reviewing a transcript, you can confirm if a tax return was submitted and examine the details.

The “Where’s My Refund?” tool provides the status of a tax refund, indirectly confirming whether a return has been filed. If a refund is due, the tool shows its status and expected issuance date, which is helpful if you’re unsure of the return’s status.

The “Online Account” service gives a comprehensive view of an individual’s tax situation, including outstanding balances, payment history, and prior returns. Setting up an online account can provide insight into your spouse’s tax filing activities.

Requesting Tax Transcripts

Tax transcripts are a practical way to verify filings. The Tax Return Transcript summarizes the return as filed, including adjusted gross income (AGI), and is available for the current tax year and the three prior years.

You can request a transcript through the “Get Transcript Online” service, which requires account creation and identity verification. Alternatively, you can request one by mail, which takes up to 10 days. These transcripts reveal information such as filing status and claimed deductions or credits.

Checking Employer Documents

Employer-provided documents can help determine if your spouse has filed taxes. Employers issue Form W-2 by January 31 of each year, detailing wages earned and taxes withheld. Reviewing these forms helps confirm income and tax withholdings.

For self-employed individuals or those with supplemental income, Forms 1099-MISC or 1099-NEC report various types of income, such as freelance work or contract labor. Verifying that this income matches the reported amounts on a tax return is crucial.

Pay stubs also provide details about taxes withheld by employers for federal and state obligations, Social Security, and Medicare. Comparing these with W-2 forms and the filed return ensures income has been reported accurately and taxes properly withheld.

Contacting State Revenue Departments

State revenue departments oversee state tax obligations, which vary across the U.S. If you’re uncertain whether your spouse has filed state taxes, contact the relevant state agency, such as the California Franchise Tax Board or New York Department of Taxation and Finance. These agencies can confirm whether a return has been filed under a specific taxpayer’s name.

To make an inquiry, provide your spouse’s Social Security number and any state-issued taxpayer identification numbers. Previous state tax returns or correspondence can help identify the account. Communication with state agencies can be done via phone, online portals, or in person.

Next Steps If the Return Is Missing

If you discover your spouse has not filed taxes, address the issue promptly to minimize potential legal and financial consequences. The IRS imposes penalties for failing to file, which can reach 5% of the unpaid tax per month, up to 25%. Interest also accrues daily on unpaid balances. State tax authorities often have similar penalty structures.

Identify the reason for the missing return. It may be an oversight, misunderstanding, or income below the standard deduction threshold. However, other factors, such as self-employment income over $400, may still require filing.

File the missing return as soon as possible to reduce penalties and interest. The IRS allows prior-year returns to be filed, and penalties may be waived if there is reasonable cause for the delay. Consulting a tax professional ensures the return is accurate, especially if multiple years are missing or income sources are complex. A tax advisor can also assist with negotiating payment plans or offers in compromise for substantial unpaid balances.