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Asked 3 months ago - Indianapolis, IN
FlagMy wife and I were married 6 months ago which made us have to file our taxes as married . I checked the status of my state tax return and a hold has been placed on it from Ivy Tech Community College for a debt that was incurred by my wife 2 years before we got married . I am the primary supporter and taxpayer having made almost $ 40000 in 2012 and my wife made a little over $ 2000 in 2012 . I paid in about $ 1400 dollars in state taxes , she paid in about $ 30 dollars . I am due to receive $ 549 back from the state but this college my wife has a debt with has placed a hold on my refund , can they do this considering this is obviously mainly my return and my wife incurred this debt years before we got married . My wife is more of a Dependant of mine than anything else so why should I have to pay this .
If you filed as married filing joint then the answer is almost certainly yes, they can withhold the refund - provided the school has followed the proper procedure to report the unpaid debt to the state tax agency - because as a joint refund the money belongs to both of you. However, you may be able to get back the portion that belongs to you based on your relative taxable incomes and tax liabilities (figured as if you had filed separately); you will have to check with the contact information on the notice you received to see if there are any procedures you can follow or forms you can file to get back at least part of your refund.
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