Monthly Member Meeting | The Shared IRS Debt Nightmare: Mitigating Liability and Collection Risks in Marital Settlements

Divorce doesn’t necessarily mean leaving tax debt behind.  Even after a marriage ends, the IRS may pursue either former spouse for the full amount of jointly owed taxes, regardless of how the divorce decree allocates responsibility.  In this timely program, Patrick Wanzer from Breakthrough Tax Resolution, will examine the often-overlooked tax liabilities that can follow clients long after a marital settlement is finalized.  Participants will explore IRS collection tools, potential relief options under IRC § 6015, and critical tax considerations that should be addressed during settlement negotiations to protect clients from unexpected financial exposure.

Key objectives and takeaways:

• Recognize Red Flags for Undisclosed Tax Liabilities

• How Joint and Several Liability Exposes Both Spouses to the IRS

• Learn the Three Forms of Innocent Spouse Relief and How a Client can Qualify

• How IRS Collections can Affect Divorce Agreements

Speaker Bio:
Patrick H. Wanzer, CPA, CTRC, CDS
Patrick H. Wanzer, a proud native of Indianapolis, IN, currently resides in the historic Irvington neighborhood on the Eastside of Indianapolis. With over a decade of experience as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and ten years dedicated to IRS Tax Resolution, Patrick has built a reputation for helping clients navigate and resolve complex tax issues.  In addition to being a CPA, Patrick is a Certified Tax Representation Consultant (CTRC) and a Certified Divorce Professional (CDS).

Patrick’s practice focuses on empowering individuals and businesses to stand up to the IRS and regain their financial stability. Whether through an Offer-in-Compromise, Installment Agreement, Currently-Not-Collectible status, Innocent Spouse or other tailored solutions, Patrick has successfully guided countless clients toward financial freedom.

In addition to being a CPA, Patrick is a Certified Tax Representation Consultant (CTRC), a Certified Divorce Specialist (CDS), a National Trainer with Tax Rep LLC, and a Platinum Member of the organization. Patrick is also the author of five books: Break Free from the IRS – How to Resolve IRS Tax Debt and Reclaim Your Freedom (August 2023); Break Free from the IRS: Taxes & Divorce – A Match not Made in Heaven (July 2025); Drop the P: How to Go From Tax Prep to Tax Rep (November 2025); The Power of Why Not: Breaking Boundaries and Redefining Possibilities (December 2025); Break Free from the IRS – Gray Divorce Tax Strategies for Dividing Life’s Second Half (October 2026).

Patrick has written and presented numerous webinars on tax resolution for the Indiana State Bar Association, Ohio State Bar Association, the Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum (ICLEF), Institute for Divorce Financial Analysts, Tax Rep Network, CPA Crossings, and many more.

When he’s not helping clients or writing, Patrick enjoys reading, watching football, and spending quality time with his wife, Kimberly, and their beloved dog, Lucy.

**Guests are welcome to attend one Monthly Member Meeting. To attend again, we invite you to join our association**