Eleven Tax Questions to Ask Before You Get Married

                                                                Eleven Tax Questions to Ask Before Getting Married

Someone once told me that if you buy a horse you should first check its teeth. I have never been a horse buyer, but I have had many clients who were surprised at their post marriage tax problems. The phrase means more than checking the orthodontia of your future bride or groom. It may be unromantic but it could save a lot of pain later on  “after the bloom is off the rose” as they say:

Consider these:

1.      Have you filed all of your state and federal income tax returns and reported all your income? Would you mind if I take a look at the last three years?

2.      Who prepares your income tax returns? How do you know this preparer?

3.      Have you ever been audited by the Internal Revenue Service?

4.      Have you ever been behind in any tax payments to any of the tax authorities?

5.      Have you ever owned a business? Were there employees or independent contractors and were proper employment returns filed? Anybody paid “Off the Books”?

6.      Have you ever had a lien or levy filed against you?

7.      Is there any ongoing investigation of either you or your business?

8.      Has IRS attempted to contact you either by mail or personal visit?

9.      Did you and your ex-spouse, if there was one, have any tax liabilities or tax problems?

10.  Have you had access to a foreign business or personal bank account? Was it properly reported to IRS?

11.  Do you still Love me after asking these questions?