CINCINNATI (Paula Toti) -- High-profile domestic violence cases that involved NFL players have recently brought the issue front and center and now the IRS is even turning a kinder, gentler eye to woman who have been abused.
Money is often used as a form of control in abuse cases. The IRS offers innocent spouse relief and not just in abuse cases. For instance, if a person is not aware of their spouse's illegal activity and can prove it, they may be relieved of having to pay some tax or penalties. Also in abuse cases a person may be able to separate their assets for tax purposes even though they are still married but trying to break away from that relationship.
Even the IRS admits in trying to get away from an abuser, making financial moves to separate may escalate violence. Steps should be taken to fill out places on form 8857 that identify a person as a victim of violence. IRS agents are supposed to be alerted that extra care needs to be taken with the taxpayer and all the cases are sent to a centralized location so the abusive partner can't guess the address of someone who has moved.
People don't have to go it alone. If a person tells the IRS they are an innocent spouse, that spouse also has the right to be notified of that claim. So work with an advocate to help keep everyone as safe as possible.
CLICK HERE for a link to the YWCA's hotline.
Often abusers will also use family pets to control their victims. The YWCA has teamed up with a shelter to help house women's pets. To help support that effort the "Bark Out Against Battering" pet fest will be held Saturday morning, Oct. 25, at 11a.m. in Washington Park.
