IRS still has me as married filing jointly after 5 years of divorce - How to fix?
Hey everyone, I'm in a bit of a pickle with the IRS. They still have me listed as married filing jointly with my ex-spouse, even though we've been divorced since 2018. I just got some mail from them saying I'm still filing jointly. Has anyone dealt with this before? What's the best way to get this fixed? I'm worried about how this might affect my taxes and refunds.
21 comments


Ellie Lopez
Ugh, bureaucracy at its finest 🙄 I had a similar issue a few years back. First thing you should do is gather all your documents - divorce decree, tax returns since 2018, anything that proves your single filing status. Then call the IRS and explain the situation. Be prepared for a long wait tho
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Lauren Wood
•Thanks for the advice! Did you have to send in any physical copies of your documents or was explaining it over the phone enough?
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Ellie Lopez
•In my case, I had to fax some stuff over. But that was pre-covid, so idk if their process has changed. Best to ask when you get someone on the line.
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Chad Winthrope
•Faxing in 2023? The IRS really needs to get with the times lol 📠🦖
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Paige Cantoni
I found a way to actually get someone on the phone at the IRS. I used this site's (claimyr.com) calling tool that dials the phone menu, stays on hold, waits for a live agent to pick up, then sends the call to my phone. It does cost $20, but it works. Here's a video about it: https://youtu.be/NXjJFZObk3g
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Kylo Ren
•Sounds too good to be true. Has anyone else tried this?
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Nina Fitzgerald
•20 bucks to skip the hold time? Sign me up! 💸
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Paige Cantoni
•I know it sounds sketchy, but I swear it worked for me. Saved me hours of frustration.
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Jason Brewer
•Is it legit tho? Like, how does it work exactly?
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Paige Cantoni
•From what I understand, they use some kind of AI to navigate the phone tree and detect when a human picks up. Then it calls you. I'm not tech savvy enough to explain more lol
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Kiara Fisherman
This happened to my sister. It took her MONTHS to get it sorted out. The IRS is so backed up, its ridiculous. Good luck, OP. Your gonna need it 😩
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Liam Cortez
Have you tried updating your info on the IRS website? Might be faster than calling. Just a thought.
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Lauren Wood
•I didn't even know that was an option! I'll def look into it, thanks!
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Savannah Vin
•Be careful with the IRS website tho. Make sure youre on the legit site. Lots of scams out there 👀
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Mason Stone
As someone who's been through this exact situation, here's what you need to do: 1. Gather all relevant documents: divorce decree, tax returns from 2018 onwards, and any correspondence from the IRS. 2. File Form 8822 to change your address with the IRS if you've moved since the divorce. 3. Call the IRS (be prepared for a long wait) and explain the situation. They might ask you to file an amended return (Form 1040X) for the years they have incorrect info. 4. If they request it, send in copies (NOT originals) of your divorce decree and other supporting documents. 5. Follow up regularly. Keep a log of all your calls and correspondence. 6. Be patient. It can take several months for everything to be updated in their system. Remember, you're not alone in this. The IRS deals with these situations all the time. Stay persistent and you'll get it sorted out!
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Lauren Wood
•Wow, thank you so much for this detailed response! This is incredibly helpful. I'll start gathering everything tomorrow.
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Makayla Shoemaker
•This guy IRSes 👆
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Christian Bierman
•Saving this for future reference. You never know when the tax man cometh 😅
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Emma Olsen
have u tried turning the IRS off and on again? 🤣
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Lucas Lindsey
•If only it were that easy lmao
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Sophie Duck
This is why I always say, keep EVERY document related to major life changes. Never know when youll need to prove something to some government agency 🙄
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