Scacpa's Weekly Federal Tax Update

Lynn Nichols Federal Tax Update Podcast August, 21 2019, Episode 45 Listen as Lynn Nichols provides commentary on 4 Items pertaining to current developments in U.S. tax law. Eighth Circuit Affirms Denial of Innocent Spouse Relief The Eighth Circuit, in an unpublished per curiam opinion, affirmed a Tax Court decision that sustained the IRS’s denial of an individual’s request for innocent spouse relief under section 6015, finding that the Tax Court didn’t abuse its discretion. [Brian Benson v. Commissioner; CA 3, No. 18-3526, 8/2/2019]  Husband Loses Innocent Spouse Claim . . . a husband whose wife was convicted of criminal fraud is not relieved from joint and several liability stemming from their jointly filed tax return, finding that their tax liability wasn’t attributable to an understatement of tax and that he knew his wife couldn’t pay the liability nor would he suffer economic hardship if he paid.  [Brian Benson,. T.C. Memo 2018-157, 9/19/2018]   Misclassification Under HRA Regs Could Trigger Excise