Form 8857 

(Rev. September 2010) 

Department of the Treasury 

Internal Revenue Service (99) 

Request for Innocent Spouse Relief 

▶ See separate instructions. 

OMB No. 1545-1596 

Important things you should know 

• Do not file this form with your tax return. See Where To File in the instructions. 

• Answer all the questions on this form that apply, attach any necessary documentation, and sign on page 4. Do not delay 

filing this form because of missing documentation. See instructions. 

• By law, the IRS must contact the person who was your spouse for the years you want relief. There are no exceptions, 

even for victims of spousal abuse or domestic violence. Your personal information (such as your current name, address, 

and employer) will be protected. However, if you petition the Tax Court, your personal information may be released, 

unless you ask the Tax Court to withhold it. See instructions for details. 

• If you need help, see How To Get Help in the instructions. 

Part I Should you file this form? You must complete this part for each tax year. 

Tax Year 1 Tax Year 2 Tax Year 3* 

1 Enter each tax year you want relief. It is important to enter the correct year. For example, 

if the IRS used your 2009 income tax refund to pay a 2007 tax amount you jointly owed, 

enter tax year 2007, not tax year 2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ▶ 1 

Caution. The IRS generally cannot collect the amount you owe until your request for each 

year is resolved. However, the time the IRS has to collect is extended. See Collection 

Statute of Limitations on page 3 of the instructions. 

2 Check the box for each year you would like a refund if you qualify for relief. You may 

be required to provide proof of payment. See instructions . . . . . . . . . . ▶ 2 

3 Did the IRS use your share of the joint refund to pay any of the following past-due 

debts of your spouse: federal tax, state income tax, child support, spousal support, or 

federal non-tax debt such as a student loan? 

Yes No Yes No Yes No

• If “Yes,” stop here; do not file this form for that tax year. Instead, file Form 8379, Injured 

Spouse Allocation. See instructions. 

• If “No,” go to line 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ▶ 3 

4 Was a return claiming married filing jointly status filed for the tax year listed on line 1? 

See instructions. 

• If “Yes,” skip line 5 and go to line 6. 

• If “No,” go to line 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ▶ 4 

5 If a joint return for that tax year was not filed, were you a resident of Arizona, 

California, Idaho, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Washington, or Wisconsin? 

• If “Yes,” see Community Property Laws on page 2 of the instructions. 

• If “No” on both lines 4 and 5, stop here. Do not file this form for that tax year . . . ▶ 5 

*If you want relief for more than 3 years, fill out 

an additional form. 

Part II Tell us about yourself 

6 Your current name (see instructions) Your social security number 

Your current mailing address (number and street). Apt. no. County 

City, town or post office, state, and ZIP code. If a foreign address, see instructions. Best daytime phone number 

Part III Tell us about you and your spouse for the tax years you want relief 

7 Who was your spouse for the tax years you want relief? File a separate Form 8857 for tax years involving different spouses or 

former spouses. 

That person’s current name Social security number (if known) 

Current home address (number and street) (if known). If a P.O. box, see instructions. Apt. no. 

City, town or post office, state, and ZIP code. If a foreign address, see instructions. Best daytime phone number 

For Privacy Act and Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see instructions. Cat. No. 24647V Form 8857 (Rev. 9-2010) 
Form 8857 (Rev. 9-2010) Page 2 

Note. If you need more room to write your answer for any question, attach more pages. Be sure to write your name and social security

number on the top of all pages you attach. 

Part III (Continued) 

8 What is the current marital status between you and the person on line 7? 

Married and still living together 

Married and living apart since 

MM DD YYYY 

Widowed since 

MM DD YYYY 

Attach a photocopy of the death certificate and will (if one exists). 

Legally separated since 

MM DD YYYY 

Attach a photocopy of your entire separation agreement. 

Divorced since 

MM DD YYYY 

Attach a photocopy of your entire divorce decree. 

Note. A divorce decree stating that your former spouse must pay all taxes does not necessarily mean you qualify for relief. 

9 What was the highest level of education you had completed when the return(s) were filed? If the answers are not the same for all 

tax years, explain. 

High school diploma, equivalent, or less 

Some college 

College degree or higher. List any degrees you have ▶

List any college-level business or tax-related courses you completed ▶

Explain ▶

10 Were you a victim of spousal abuse or domestic violence during any of the tax years you want relief? If the answers are not the 

same for all tax years, explain. 

Yes. Attach a statement to explain the situation and when it started. Provide photocopies of any documentation, such as police 

reports, a restraining order, a doctor’s report or letter, or a notarized statement from someone who was aware of the situation. 

No. 

11 Did you (or the person on line 7) incur any large expenses, such as trips, home improvements, or private schooling, or make 

any large purchases, such as automobiles, appliances, or jewelry, during any of the years you want relief or any later years?

Yes. Attach a statement describing (a) the types and amounts of the expenses and purchases and (b) the years they were 

incurred or made. 

No. 

12 Did you sign the return(s)? If the answers are not the same for all tax years, explain. 

Yes. If you were forced to sign under duress (threat of harm or other form of coercion), check here ▶ . See instructions. 

No. Your signature was forged. See instructions. 

13 When any of the returns were signed, did you have a mental or physical health problem or do you have a mental or physical 

health problem now? If the answers are not the same for all tax years, explain. 

Yes. Attach a statement to explain the problem and when it started. Provide photocopies of any documentation, such as 

medical bills or a doctor’s report or letter. 

No. 

Part IV Tell us how you were involved with finances and preparing returns for those tax years 

14 How were you involved with preparing the returns? Check all that apply and explain, if necessary. If the answers are not the same 

for all tax years, explain. 

You filled out or helped fill out the returns. 

You gathered receipts and cancelled checks. 

You gave tax documents (such as Forms W-2, 1099, etc.) to the person who prepared the returns. 

You reviewed the returns before they were signed. 

You did not review the returns before they were signed. Explain below. 

You were not involved in preparing the returns. 

Other ▶

Explain how you were involved ▶

Form 8857 (Rev. 9-2010) 
Form 8857 (Rev. 9-2010) Page 3 

Note. If you need more room to write your answer for any question, attach more pages. Be sure to write your name and social security

number on the top of all pages you attach. 

Part IV (Continued) 

15 When the returns were signed, what did you know about any incorrect or missing information? Check all that apply and explain, 

if necessary. If the answers are not the same for all tax years, explain. 

You knew something was incorrect or missing, but you said nothing. 

You knew something was incorrect or missing and asked about it. 

You did not know anything was incorrect or missing. 

Explain ▶

16 When any of the returns were signed, what did you know about the income of the person on line 7? Check all that apply and 

explain, if necessary. If the answers are not the same for all tax years, explain. 

You knew that person had income. 

List each type of income on a separate line. (Examples are wages, social security, gambling winnings, or self-employment business income.) Enter each tax 

year and the amount of income for each type you listed. If you do not know any details, enter “I don’t know.” 

Type of income Who paid it to that person Tax Year 1 Tax Year 2 Tax Year 3 

$ $ $ 

$ $ $ 

$ $ $ 

You knew that person was self-employed and you helped with the books and records. 

You knew that person was self-employed and you did not help with the books and records. 

You knew that person had no income. 

You did not know if that person had income. 

Explain ▶

17 When the returns were signed, did you know any amount was owed to the IRS for those tax years? If the answers are not the 

same for all tax years, explain. 

Yes. Explain when and how you thought the amount of tax reported on the return would be paid ▶

No. 

Explain ▶

18 When any of the returns were signed, were you having financial problems (for example, bankruptcy or bills you could not pay)? If 

the answers are not the same for all tax years, explain. 

Yes. Explain ▶

No. 

Did not know. 

Explain ▶

19 For the years you want relief, how were you involved in the household finances? Check all that apply. If the answers are not the 

same for all tax years, explain. 

You knew the person on line 7 had separate accounts. 

You had joint accounts but you had limited use of them or did not use them. Explain below. 

You used joint accounts. You made deposits, paid bills, balanced the checkbook, or reviewed the monthly bank statements. 

You made decisions about how money was spent. For example, you paid bills or made decisions about household purchases. 

You were not involved in handling money for the household. 

Other ▶

Explain anything else you want to tell us about your household finances ▶

20 Has the person on line 7 ever transferred assets (money or property) to you? (Property includes real estate, stocks, bonds, or 

other property that you own.) See instructions. 

Yes. List the assets, the dates they were transferred, and their fair market values on the dates transferred. Explain why the assets 

were transferred ▶

No. 

Form 8857 (Rev. 9-2010) 
Form 8857 (Rev. 9-2010) Page 4 

Part V Tell us about your current financial situation 

21 Tell us the number of people currently in your household. Adults Children 

22 Tell us your current average monthly income and expenses for your entire household. If family or friends are helping to support 

you, include the amount of support as gifts under Monthly income. Under Monthly expenses, enter all expenses, including expenses 

paid with income from gifts. 

Monthly income Amount 

Gifts . . . . . . . . . . .

Wages (Gross pay) . . . . . . .

Pensions . . . . . . . . . .

Unemployment . . . . . . . .

Social security . . . . . . . .

Government assistance, such as housing, 

food stamps, grants . . . . . . .

Alimony . . . . . . . . . .

Child support . . . . . . . . .

Self-employment business income . .

Rental income . . . . . . . .

Interest and dividends . . . . . .

Other income, such as disability 

payments, gambling winnings, etc. 

List the type below: 

Type 

Type 

Type 

Total . . . . . . . . . . ▶

Monthly expenses Amount 

Federal, state, and local taxes deducted 

from your paycheck . . . . . .

Rent or mortgage . . . . . . .

Utilities . . . . . . . . . .

Telephone . . . . . . . . .

Food . . . . . . . . . . .

Car expenses, payments, insurance, etc. 

Medical expenses, including medical 

insurance . . . . . . . . .

Life insurance . . . . . . . .

Clothing . . . . . . . . . .

Child care . . . . . . . . .

Public transportation . . . . . .

Other expenses, such as real estate 

taxes, child support, etc. 

List the type below: 

Type 

Type 

Type 

Total . . . . . . . . . . ▶

23 Tell us about your assets. Your assets are your money and property. Property includes real estate, motor vehicles, stocks, bonds, 

and other property that you own. Tell us the amount of cash you have on hand and in your bank accounts. Also give a description of 

each item of property, the fair market value of each item, and the balance of any outstanding loans you used to acquire each item. Do 

not list any money or property you listed on line 20. If you need more room, attach more pages. Write your name and social security 

number on the top of all pages you attach.

24 Please provide any other information you want us to consider in determining whether it would be unfair to hold you liable for 

the tax. If you need more room, attach more pages. Write your name and social security number on the top of all pages you attach. 

Caution 

By signing this form, you understand that, by law, we must contact the person on line 7. See instructions for details.

Sign 

Here 

Keep a copy 

for your 

records. 

Under penalties of perjury, I declare that I have examined this form and any accompanying schedules and statements, and to the best of my 

knowledge and belief, they are true, correct, and complete. Declaration of preparer (other than taxpayer) is based on all information of which 

▲

preparer has any knowledge. 

Your signature Date 

Paid 

Preparer’s 

Use Only 

Preparer’s 

signature ▲

Date Check if 

self-employed 

Preparer's SSN or PTIN 

Firm’s name (or yours 

if self-employed), 

address, and ZIP code 

▲

EIN 

Phone no. 

Form 8857 (Rev. 9-2010)