Bachmann and Fitzpatrick Introduce "Innocent Spouse Relief Act"

Statement

Congresswoman Michele Bachmann (MN-06) and Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick (PA-08) issued the following statement after introducing H.R. 1450, the Innocent Spouse Relief Act:

"This is a common sense bill that removes the time limit which leaves many innocent taxpayers burdened with penalties caused by the reporting errors of their spouse," said Rep. Bachmann. "Under the Internal Revenue Service Code, a person has only two years to file a claim for Innocent Spouse Relief. That is not enough time in many cases, including when an abusive or manipulative spouse does not tell the other person about collection proceedings. It's time to remove that two-year time limit."

"This legislation ensures that those who have suffered abuse at the hands of their spouse will not suffer a second indignation -- tax debts that their abuser racked up without their knowledge," said Rep. Fitzpatrick. "Victims of abuse often are forced to repair many portions of their life. The tax debts of their abuser should not be one of them. This bill will help them move on and start fresh."

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