Form 8379 (2016)

What Is Form 8379 2016?

IRS Form 8379 2016, also known as the Injured Spouse Allocation form, is a tax document used by married couples filing jointly to allocate tax return amounts properly between spouses. If one spouse has significant past due obligations such as federal debt, state taxes, child or spousal support, or federal non-tax debt such as a student loan, the other spouse can file this form. This ensures that the obligations of one partner do not unfairly impact the other's tax refund.

Eligibility for filing 8379 tax form 2016

To be eligible for filing Form 8379, several conditions must be met:

• You must have filed a joint tax return.
• Part (or all) of your share of the refund must have been, or is expected to be, applied against your spouse's legally enforceable past due obligations.
• You must have reported income (such as wages, taxable interest, etc.) on the tax return.
• You must have made and reported payments (like federal income tax withheld from your wages or estimated tax payments) or claimed a refundable tax credit, such as the Earned Income Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit.

How To Fill Out the Form 8379

Understanding how to complete the Form 8379 is vital for ensuring that your claim is processed smoothly. Here are key form 8379 instructions 2016:

1. Begin with the first section, which requires the basic information of the injured spouse. Provide your full name, Social Security number, and home address. 
2. If you share the same last name with your spouse, only write it once. Next, include your spouse's name and Social Security number.
3. Proceed to the part labeled "Part I" where you must answer if the injured spouse has filed a joint tax return and if they are reporting only their own income. 
4. If the injured spouse lives in a community property state, additional information might be required.
5. Move to "Part II" focused on allocating income and deductions between spouses. You'll need to detail both your income and your spouse's income separately. This includes reporting wages, salaries, tips, and other income forms. Also, you need to allocate deductions such as student loan interest or educator expenses.
6. In the section dedicated to the Earned Income Credit (EIC), specify the amount that belongs to the injured spouse based on the income reported earlier.
7. Continue to the area focused on Child Tax Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit, where you should indicate the portion attributable to the injured spouse (if applicable).
8. As the form progresses, a section arrives where you allocate the federal income tax withheld. You must divide this according to the income allocation you previously outlined. Also, allocate estimated tax payments and refundable credits.
9. If the allocation area provides a space for "Other Credits," itemize any credits not previously covered, such as education or retirement savings contributions, and allocate them accordingly.
10. Near the conclusion, "Part III" offers space to explain the injured spouse’s situation. Briefly describe why you believe only your part of the joint refund should not be applied to the past-due obligation of your spouse.
11. Make sure you double-check all information entered for accuracy.
12. Finally, if applicable, sign and date the form before submission to certify that all information provided is complete and correct to the best of your knowledge.

Sending the form to the IRS address

When you're ready to mail your Form 8379, knowing the IRS address mail form 8379 2016 is fundamental to avoiding any delays. The IRS address to mail Form 8379 (2016) might differ based on the state of residence and whether you're also mailing a tax return. To ensure accurate and timely processing, it is recommended to thoroughly check the IRS’s official website or consult the form instructions to get the updated mailing address.