--- title: "Innocent spouse relief: Definition and Sources | Tax Glossary" description: "Innocent spouse relief can free a person from extra tax on a joint return when a spouse understated tax and the person did not know about the errors." url: https://wallacecpa.multisites.ai/glossary/innocent-spouse-relief publisher: Wallace CPA phone: +1-877-682-1171 quote: https://wallacecpa.multisites.ai/contact --- IRS notices # Innocent spouse relief Innocent spouse relief can free a person from extra tax on a joint return when a spouse understated tax and the person did not know about the errors. On a joint return, both spouses are usually responsible for the full tax. Innocent spouse relief is an exception. The IRS says it can relieve you of additional tax if your spouse understated the tax on a joint return and you did not know about the errors. The relief covers tax tied to your spouse's income from employment or self-employment, as the IRS describes it. The IRS decides each request on its facts. A person who gets a [CP2000 notice](https://wallacecpa.multisites.ai/glossary/irs-cp2000-notice) after a divorce may need to ask. The [IRS problems page](https://wallacecpa.multisites.ai/services/irs-problems#innocent-spouse) explains the request, and a signed [Form 2848](https://wallacecpa.multisites.ai/glossary/form-2848-power-of-attorney) lets a representative speak for you. [Wallace CPA can helpIRS problem resolution](https://wallacecpa.multisites.ai/services/irs-problems) ## Related terms - [IRS CP2000 notice](https://wallacecpa.multisites.ai/glossary/irs-cp2000-notice) - [Form 2848 power of attorney](https://wallacecpa.multisites.ai/glossary/form-2848-power-of-attorney) - [IRS audit](https://wallacecpa.multisites.ai/glossary/irs-audit) - [Penalty abatement](https://wallacecpa.multisites.ai/glossary/penalty-abatement) ## Sources 1. [IRS: Innocent spouse relief](https://www.irs.gov/individuals/innocent-spouse-relief) ## Talk to Wallace CPA Call the Southlake office and say what you need: a return, an IRS letter, your books or a new business. Have the notice or last year's return nearby if you have one. [Call (877) 682-1171](tel:+1-877-682-1171)[Send a message](https://wallacecpa.multisites.ai/contact) 180 State Street, Suite 225, Southlake, TX 76092