Joint Tax Returns Can Expose Financial and Marital Infidelity says Infidelity Expert

According to infidelity expert Ruth Houston, a significant amount of financial infidelity is discovered during the tax season by couples who file joint income tax returns. Since financial infidelity and marital infidelity are so closely linked, finding evidence of one often reveals the existence of the other. But knowing what to look for is the key.

New York (PRWEB) April 2, 2008 -- Tax season is the time of the year when infidelity expert Ruth Houston advises husbands and wives who suspect their spouses of infidelity to pay close attention when filing their joint tax returns.

A New York-based infidelity expert who is frequently called on by the media to comment on infidelity issues in the news, Houston points out that a significant amount of financial infidelity is discovered this time of year by couples who file joint income tax returns.

Houston, the founder of InfidelityAdvice.com and author of Is He Cheating on You? - 829 Telltale Signs says, "A close examination of your 1040 form and the accompanying documents can reveal signs of financial infidelity, which often accompanies marital infidelity. In fact, financial infidelity and marital infidelity are so closely linked, that finding evidence of one will usually reveal the existence of the other, if your spouse is having an extramarital affair."

Things a Joint Tax Return Can Reveal

"You'd be amazed at what you can learn from a careful examination of the paperwork associated with filing your joint tax return," says Houston, "But knowing what to look for is the key. A joint tax return can reveal all kinds of incriminating information about a spouse's financial affairs, including salary discrepancies; evidence of secret bank accounts; business interests, real estate or other assets one spouse didn't know the other spouse had; financial transactions made without the other spouse's knowledge, and more."

Check Line 7 on the 1040 Form

Houston says, "Working overtime is a common excuse used by cheating spouses to cover-up their extramarital affairs. A husband or wife who suspects infidelity should check Line 7 on the 1040 form ( wages, salaries, tips, etc) to see if it reflects all the overtime their spouse claims to have been working. If this figure is smaller than expected, find out if comp time is involved and double check the your spouse's W-2 form."

Houston continues, "The figure on Line 7 could indicate that your spouse is earning more money than he or she led you to believe. Does this figure include a raise or a bonus your spouse failed to tell you about? What happened to the excess funds? On what, or on whom did your spouse spend the excess funds? One woman found that her husband used his year-end bonus to buy his mistress a diamond ring."

Schedule B and Secret Bank Accounts

Certain lines in the Income section of the 1040 form require the attachment of additional documents, known as "schedules" (Schedule A, B, C, D, etc.). "Don't ignore these attachments., warns Houston. "Examine them closely. They contain a wealth of information. For example, taxable interest earned last year should be reported on Line 8a. When this figure exceeds $1500, schedule B must also be attached, which lists the sources that contributed to this interest. This list can reveal bank accounts you didn't know your spouse had."

Line 30 and Secret Transactions for a Surprise Divorce

A cheating husband or wife who is secretly planning a divorce will often liquidate assets or withdraw money without the other spouse's knowledge or consent. Line 30, on the 1040 form indicates penalties incurred for the early withdrawal of savings. It can often reveal transactions made behind an innocent spouse's back.

Houston recalls how the figure on line 30, prompted one woman to discreetly check the balance on all their joint accounts. " Over 2/3 of the money was missing, even though her husband had never mentioned withdrawing funds from these accounts. Reluctant to question her husband about the missing funds, she said nothing, deciding to give her husband the benefit of the doubt. This turned out to be a major mistake. Six months later her husband left her for another woman and filed for divorce."    

FREE Tip Sheet - The Telltale 1040 Form

This is just a sampling of the incriminating information that can be found on a joint income tax return. Other sections of the 1040 form and the associated paperwork can be equally revealing. But knowing what to look for is the key. For more tips on what to look for, request a free copy of the tip sheet entitled "The Telltale 1040 Form" by e-mailing InfidelityInfo@gmail.com with "Telltale 1040 - prw in the subject line. Houston adds, "Even husbands and wives who file separately can learn a lot about their spouse's financial affairs if they take a close look (with or without permission) at their spouse's completed tax return form.

Don't Be the Last to Know

"Cheating spouses resort to all kinds of financial deception and tax season shenanigans when they're trying to conceal evidence of their extramarital affairs," observes Houston. "I advise any husband or wife who suspects infidelity to stay on top of the situation. If you want to safeguard your finances, you can't afford to be the last to know."

More Financially-Related Signs of Infidelity

Houston says that signs of infidelity seldom appear in isolation. She says that finding evidence of infidelity on a joint tax return, means that are there are dozens of corroborating signs just waiting to be found. Houston stresses that knowing what to look for is the key.

The chapter on Financial Affairs, in Houston's book, Is He Cheating on You? ? 829 Telltale Signs, lists 52 financially-related signs of infidelity. To receive a FREE tip sheet with 9 telltale signs of financial infidelity taken from this chapter, e-mail InfidelityInfo@gmail.com with "Financial-prw" in the subject line.

Interview Ruth Houston about Joint Tax Returns and Financial Infidelity

Infidelity expert Ruth Houston is available to discuss the following aspects of joint tax returns and financial infidelity.

• 5 signs of financial infidelity to be alert for when filing joint tax returns

• where to look on a joint tax return to find evidence of financial or marital infidelity

• 6 tax season shenanigans used by spouses guilty of financial infidelity

• when and why financial infidelity can also be an indication of sexual infidelity

• other financially-related signs of infidelity

For more information about financial infidelity, visit http://www.InfidelityAdvice.com or http://infidelitynewsandviews.blogspot.com

About Ruth Houston:

Infidelity expert Ruth Houston is the founder of Infidelity Advice.com and the author of Is He Cheating on You? - 829 Telltale Signs, which documents practically every known sign of infidelity.

Frequently called on by the media to comment on infidelity issues in the news, Ruth has been quoted in USA Today, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Los Angeles Times, Cosmopolitan, Bankrate.com, msnbc.com, FoxNews.com, ABCNews.com the Chicago Tribune, the San Francisco Chronicle, the National Post, Macleans, iVillage, MSN Money, FinanceVisor.com, and numerous other print and online media.

Ruth has appeared as a guest on The Today Show, CNN, Fox News, WCBS, 1010WINS, BBC, CBC, Fox and Friends, The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet and over 440 other radio and TV talk shows worldwide.

To interview infidelity expert Ruth Houston, call 718 592-6039.

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