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posted Jun 4, 2019 3:20:11 PM

My husband and I both owe money to the irs. If we file married jointly and get a refund who’s tax debt will the refund go towards?

I owe 3,000 to the IRS and my husband owes $7,000. Our refund if we file jointly is around $5,000. Whose tax debt will that go towards? Will it pay off mine and then 2,000 towards his? Or all tomhis? 

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1 Best answer
Level 15
Jun 4, 2019 3:20:13 PM

TurboTax does not get any feedback regarding your past due taxes.  You would have to ask the Bureau of Fiscal Services which tax debt the refund would be applied to.  No matter--you are likely to get the biggest refund by filing a joint return, and the debt is not going away.  The bigger the refund--the sooner you get it paid.

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-refund-offsets-pay-unpaid-debts

1 Replies
Level 15
Jun 4, 2019 3:20:13 PM

TurboTax does not get any feedback regarding your past due taxes.  You would have to ask the Bureau of Fiscal Services which tax debt the refund would be applied to.  No matter--you are likely to get the biggest refund by filing a joint return, and the debt is not going away.  The bigger the refund--the sooner you get it paid.

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-refund-offsets-pay-unpaid-debts