Couples, Taxes, and Healthy Communication Always Know What You’re Signing
When you sign your tax return, do you know what you are really signing? For many married couples who file jointly, not knowing what you’re signing can be a huge mistake. You should never sign a tax return with your spouse — or any joint filer —without knowing what is on the tax return and what tax is being paid. Toph occasionally gets clients whose spouses are in the dark: They don’t know the full story of their tax situation, yet they still willingly sign the document. To make these kinds of situations worse, many couples don’t realize that when they both sign the tax documents, they are both responsible for its contents, even if one doesn’t know what’s in the document. For the IRS, and the law, ignorance isn’t an excuse.
spouse can get answers to any questions they have; there can be open communication with no surprises. To me, that sounds like a healthy relationship! Without this kind of communication, it opens the door to all kinds of problems, not to mention trust issues. Imagine getting a certified letter from the IRS and having no idea why this has shown up in your mailbox? I would be freaking out! I’m thankful to be married to an experienced CPA so I won’t find myself in this situation, but this isn’t the case for many people. It’s scary to get a letter from the IRS and realize what was paid, or not paid, to the IRS. You’ll wonder if you made a mistake or if your spouse made a mistake. This is a situation you
never want to find yourself in.
A lot of people rely on tax prep software, like TurboTax, to do it themselves. They rush through the tax filing process to get it over with and have their spouse sign it without sitting down together to discuss their taxes. This highlights one of the reasons why working with a certified public accountant (CPA) is so important for couples and joint filers. Sitting down with an CPA is an opportunity for both spouses to see exactly what is going in the tax return. Each
My advice to couples is this: Make sure you are both involved in the tax process. Sit down with your CPA, ask questions, and make sure you’re all on the same page. It’s the best thing you can do for your taxes and your relationship!
– Ashley Sheldon
Senegalese Lamb Skewers
TAKE A BREAK
Inspired by Food & Wine magazine
Adapted from a recipe by famed Southern chef Sean Brock, these skewers are seasoned in a Senegalese style and served alongside mustard-flavored onions.
Ingredients
Equipment • For the lamb: •
For the onions: •
Bamboo skewers
1/2 cup distilled white vinegar
• • • •
/2 cup Dijon mustard 1/2 tbsp agave nectar
2 lbs trimmed leg of lamb, cut into 1-inch cubes 1 tbsp peanut oil, plus more for grilling
1 yellow onion, thinly sliced Salt and white pepper, to taste
• •
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Directions
1.
In a bowl, coat lamb with 1 tbsp oil and generously season with salt and pepper. In a mixing bowl, whisk together vinegar, mustard, and agave nectar. Toss in onions and season with salt and pepper.
3.
Heat a grill or grill pan to medium and oil the grates. Thread lamb on skewers and grill for 6–8 minutes.
2.
4.
Solution on Page 4
5.
Serve alongside onions.
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