Just Found Out My Husband Hasn't Paid Taxes In Years

A woman recently discovered her husband, a 1099 graphic designer, has not paid taxes for 2023, 2024, or 2025, resulting in a potential debt of $35,000 to $40,000. This revelation came seven months into their marriage, despite her being a "type A," W2 employee who consistently files her taxes. She immediately contacted a CPA, who is now working on finalizing the outstanding tax years. Her husband expressed apologies, claiming it wasn't intentional and he hadn't realized how long it had been since he paid taxes. This explanation did not reassure her, leading to concerns about what else he might be "forgetting." They had known each other for seven years, since college, and dated on and off for about a year before marriage. The hosts commend her for her diligence in addressing the issue and getting a CPA involved. However, they emphasize that the core problem isn't the money but a deeper behavioral issue of irresponsibility and dishonesty. They warn against allowing this pattern to persist, citing the importance of setting clear expectations early in a marriage. The conversation needs to shift from the financial aspect to the behavioral one. While acknowledging his creative nature, they stress that he must also be an adult who handles responsibilities like filing taxes, even if it's not his natural strength. The goal is to establish a partnership where both individuals bear the weight of adult decisions and responsibilities, without one person constantly bailing out the other. They suggest that while she has strengths in detail and task orientation, and he in creativity, both must actively participate in managing their shared adult life. Marriage counseling could provide tools to ensure he fully grasps the impact of his actions and to prevent a recurrence of such deception. The early stages of marriage are crucial for addressing these issues head-on, rather than "tiptoeing around things."