Can someone help with an accounting question?

[Home'scool]

Per my divorce decree my ex and I have to file taxes for 2017 & 2018 as "married" as we were still going through the divorce at that time.

I have filed "single" for 2019 & 2020 and am up-to-date on any payments, etc. In fact, my accountant set me up with quarterly payments that I make towards the next years' taxes so I don't get hit with a big tax bill (the alimony I receive all has to be claimed, costing me about 25% in taxes that I have to pay on the alimony) so I have been keeping up with those payments. 

My ex tried to email me directly with what his accountant wants, like W-2's and 1099's, which is reasonable. But then he stated the following:

"The first question concerns establishing the precise tax status and baseline.  Please confirm if you have filed any returns for those years and if so, please furnish a copy. "

Is there any valid reason he would need my taxes from 2019 & 2020? We have filed "married" since 1989 so he has all the past history .... why does he need to know my status with the IRS for the years I filed single?

This guy is very conniving and vindictive. I worry he has something up his sleeve with this. He is beyond furious that he has to pay me alimony so he tries everything he can to squeeze every penny and screw me.

Any advice helps. Thank you!

 

[Fritz]

I'm not an accountant so this advice is worth what you're paying for it. IMO, I would not send him anything unless/until contacted by his attorney. And anything sent by his attorney needs to read by your attorney before submitting any requested items. You filed for the years required by the decree as requested. I don't know why he would be privy to any of your information going forward. 

[TheReader]

I am also neither an accountant nor an attorney, but I think Fritz is right; his lawyer should send this request to your lawyer, and then you should only submit whatever is needed for the 2 years that are listed in the "file married b/c divorce" issue, nothing after that. 

But I don't know that for sure, it's just what seems logical to me. 

[Scarlett]

I don't blame you for not trusting him.  So I agree send him nothing for the years after your divorce.  

The bolded quote is not clear that he is asking for the post divorce years....but maybe from the rest of his context you know that for sure?

[Bootsie]

I would not send him anything that he requests via email directly to you.  I would only respond to requests sent to your attorney and that your attorney says you need to resond to (and allow your attorney to provide the response, rather than your doing it directly).

He may have a right to see your tax filings even after you are divorced.  DH's ex-wife demanded to see our taxes after DH and I married (they had been divorced for a number of years).  She had no grounds to believe that she was owed more money (in fact she knew she was in jeopardy of receiving much less) but she realized that she could get information about me from our joint tax form.  DH did not mind sharing HIS information with her, but did not want her to have access to my SS# and other personal information.  We ended up having a judge rule that my personal information could be redacted from the information provided to her.  

[Scarlett]

2 minutes ago, Bootsie said:

I would not send him anything that he requests via email directly to you.  I would only respond to requests sent to your attorney and that your attorney says you need to resond to (and allow your attorney to provide the response, rather than your doing it directly).

He may have a right to see your tax filings even after you are divorced.  DH's ex-wife demanded to see our taxes after DH and I married (they had been divorced for a number of years).  She had no grounds to believe that she was owed more money (in fact she knew she was in jeopardy of receiving much less) but she realized that she could get information about me from our joint tax form.  DH did not mind sharing HIS information with her, but did not want her to have access to my SS# and other personal information.  We ended up having a judge rule that my personal information could be redacted from the information provided to her.  

I was allowed access to XH's tax filings in order to see if I was due more cs.  I would think this would not apply in OP's situation. 

[QueenCat]

I would get your attorney's guidance on this.

[Bootsie]

3 minutes ago, Scarlett said:

I was allowed access to XH's tax filings in order to see if I was due more cs.  I would think this would not apply in OP's situation. 

It could be in order to make sure that any deductions for dependents are being handled properly or if alimony in the state is tied to the income (or marital status) of the person receiving alimony.

[Scarlett]

6 minutes ago, Bootsie said:

It could be in order to make sure that any deductions for dependents are being handled properly or if alimony in the state is tied to the income (or marital status) of the person receiving alimony.

Their kids are grown and my memory of her situation is that it is not tied to her income.....but you might be right.....

He is a snake though so I for sure would talk to my attorney.

[Home'scool]

I just spoke with my attorney .... she agrees that we will not send my tax filings for 2019 & 2020 and that he is just being slippery.

So today we will file a new contempt charge (this has to be at least #7) against him because he has not responded to our requests regarding picking an accountant, etc. He lost the appeal regarding the taxes in JUNE and I have been trying to get him to file since then. 

And yet, he will tell you he is the victim. 

Thank you all for your advice. It always helps!!!!

[Katy]

1 minute ago, Home'scool said:

I just spoke with my attorney .... she agrees that we will not send my tax filings for 2019 & 2020 and that he is just being slippery.

So today we will file a new contempt charge (this has to be at least #7) against him because he has not responded to our requests regarding picking an accountant, etc. He lost the appeal regarding the taxes in JUNE and I have been trying to get him to file since then. 

And yet, he will tell you he is the victim. 

Thank you all for your advice. It always helps!!!!

You’re so nice.  I’d probably report him to the IRS.