Innocent spouse relief can release you from paying additional tax, interest, and penalties on a joint return caused by your spouse’s incorrect items. It applies when you didn’t know (and had no reason to know) about the understatement and it would be unfair to hold you liable. This article explains how it works, who qualifies, […]
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What is an IRS lien?
An IRS lien is a legal claim the government places on your property when you don’t pay federal tax debt after the IRS assesses it and sends a notice and demand for payment. It attaches to real estate, personal property, and financial assets, making it harder to sell or refinance until the debt is resolved. […]
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What is an offer in compromise?
An Offer in Compromise (OIC) is an IRS program that may allow you to settle federal tax debt for less than the full amount owed, based on your ability to pay. The IRS evaluates your income, expenses, assets, and overall “reasonable collection potential” to decide whether to accept the offer. This article explains how an […]
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What is a tax audit?
A tax audit is an IRS or state revenue agency review of your tax return to verify income, deductions, and credits, and it can result in no change, a refund, or additional tax owed. Audits may be triggered by discrepancies, unusual deductions, third-party reporting mismatches, or random selection, and they can be handled by mail […]
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What is tax evasion?
Tax evasion is the intentional, illegal act of avoiding taxes by underreporting income, inflating deductions, hiding assets, or failing to file required returns. It differs from tax avoidance, which uses lawful strategies to reduce tax liability, and can trigger civil penalties or criminal prosecution depending on the conduct and amount involved. This article explains what […]
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What is racial profiling?
Racial profiling is when police or other authorities target someone for stops, searches, questioning, or surveillance primarily because of their race, ethnicity, or national origin rather than specific evidence. It can occur during traffic stops, airport screening, border enforcement, and everyday policing, and may violate constitutional and civil rights laws depending on the facts. This […]
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What is Section 1983?
Section 1983 (42 U.S.C. § 1983) is a federal civil rights law that allows individuals to sue state or local officials for constitutional violations. It provides a cause of action in federal court to seek damages and other relief for misconduct under color of law. This article explains the basics, who can be sued, common […]
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What is civil rights?
Civil rights are legal protections that guarantee equal treatment and freedom from discrimination for every person. They safeguard participation in public life, including voting, employment, housing, education, and access to public services. This article explains core civil rights protections, key categories, and how they are enforced. Understanding Civil Rights Civil rights are the basic rights […]
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What is civil liberties?
Civil liberties are fundamental constitutional freedoms—such as speech, religion, and due process—that limit government power. In the U.S., they’re mainly protected by the Bill of Rights and applied to states through the 14th Amendment. This article explains what civil liberties are, how they differ from civil rights, and common real-world examples. Civil liberties are the […]
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What is freedom of speech?
In the U.S., freedom of speech is protected by the First Amendment, which limits government censorship and punishment for most expression. It covers speech, writing, and many forms of symbolic expression, but has recognized limits (e.g., true threats, incitement, and defamation). This article explains what the right means, what it protects, and where the legal […]
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What is freedom of religion?
Freedom of religion is a First Amendment right that protects your ability to hold any faith—or none—without government coercion or punishment. It includes the free exercise of religion and limits government establishment of religion. This article explains the constitutional protections, key limits, and how courts apply them. Freedom of religion stands as one of the […]
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What is equal protection?
Equal protection is a constitutional rule in the 14th Amendment that requires states to treat similarly situated people alike under the law. It limits government discrimination and allows courts to strike down unfair laws using levels of scrutiny. This article explains the basics, key examples, and how equal protection claims work. Understanding the Basics of […]
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