After all, under some circumstances, you CAN in fact discharge taxes in bankruptcy. Even when they are not discharged, you can pay them over time. This means that even if B did not file for bankruptcy, creditors still could not collect against B while A was in bankruptcy, on consumer debts. Heck no, says a US court of appeals. Intuitively, you'd think that's obvious, but dozens of people have tried and a few have succeeded.
Consumer debt is debt that is incurred for personal or household purposes.
Taxes, says the Court, are for a public purpose. Also, taxes arising from earning money, consumer debt from spending it. The IRS can still come after you for taxes even though it can not seek to collect against your bankrupt ex- spouse. For more on joint liabilities and collection, see The Unofficial Guide to Dealing with the IRS . Any references to products or services do not constitute or imply an endorsement or recommendation.