<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Hello all, I *<b>think</b>* I know the answer to this, but wanted to double-check my assumptions. HC and deceased spouse were married in July 2017. That year, they filed a joint federal tax return. Every year since then, however, they have filed separately. Spouse died in January of this year. HC found a letter from a debt collector retained by the IRS in spouse’s things indicating that the spouse owed back taxes from 2014, 2016 and 2019. The first two years were prior to their marriage and the last was a year in which they filed separately. Am I correct that HC should not be on the hook for this? Deceased spouse had no assets to speak of.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Susan E. Spuller<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Attorney at Law<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Law Office of Paulette Peterson, PLLC<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>710 Ericksen Ave NE, Suite 201<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Bainbridge Island, WA 98110<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>206.855.9293<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Fax: 206.678.0105<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><i>The information contained in this email is confidential and may also be attorney-client privileged. The information is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to whom it is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient, or the employee or agent responsible for delivering it to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any use, dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this email in error, please immediately notify me by replying to this email and delete the original. Thank you.<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>