THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 2021 Page 15 SPORTS | FROM PAGE 14 be incredibly bad. Let the record show that over 58,000 tickets were sold for this game, a near sellout. But the place was, maybe, just over half full at kickoff. Thousands more fled the wicked weather at halftime. When asked about the game at the time, Flutie said in one published report, “It was so bad that when you came out of the game after not moving the ball you were almost glad because you had a chance to get warm. That sounds ridiculous, but it’s true.” A weird night got weirder: “The Big Blackout” A weird and crazy night then got a little weirder, and a little crazier. Then came “The Big Blackout” just before the second half began. The Sullivan Stadium lights went out just before the second half was to begin. It was later reported that the nationally televised CBS picture transmission went out, too, although the commentators, Lindsey Nelson and Jack Snow, continued the play-by-play audio. But they kept playing the game! The game had started at 1:30 p.m., but now it was well after 3:00 and heading to 4:00 as the second half started. Daylight wasn’t burning, to quote John Wayne from “The Cowboys,” it was running away and hiding, it being late November. With about 4:30 left in the third quarter, no times were exact because of the absence of a scoreboard; a punt by Boston College’s John Mihalik from midfield was blocked by Paul Tripoli. Anthony Smiley got the ball at the Alabama 42, picked up several blockers and went all the way to give the Crimson Tide a 13-6 lead. That must have been what jumpstarted the “Fever.” Flutie had been not much of a factor up until the fourth quarter. That changed in the fourth quarter as Flutie took over and along with two fourth-quarter touchdowns by fullback Bob Biestek, one on a five-yard pass from Flutie, the other on a three-yard dive with 5:06 to go, the Eagles soared to 9-2, as great a come-from-behind victory as the school has ever experienced. Flutie Magic pulled it out for BC in the end Flutie finished 14-of-29 for 198 yards, over half of that total yardage in the fourth quarter. Defensive end Dave Thomas recovered two deadly (for Alabama) Tide fumbles in the SPORTS | SEE PAGE 19 “YOUR FINANCIAL FOCUS” JOSEPH D. CATALDO IRS DEBT By Joseph D. Cataldo RS offers in compromise aren’t always the best way to eliminate IRS debt. The IRS does not have an unlimited amount of time to collect unpaid taxes owed by taxpayers. Oftentimes, taxpayers unknowingly and needlessly give the IRS more time to collect the tax. Pursuant to Internal I Revenue Code Section 6502, the IRS only has 10 years from the date of assessment to collect the unpaid tax. This is called the Collection Statute Expiration Date (CSED). It is important to keep in mind prior to filing for bankruptcy, filing an offer in compromise, filing for innocent spouse relief or delaying the collection process by filing a collection due process appeal thar you should keep the following in mind: a. Be confident in the probability of success b. That success will result in less debt than waiting for the CSED Once you file for an Offer in Compromise, that will extend the CSED for the time the Offer in Compromise is open plus an additional 30 days. Offers in Compromise can be open for anywhere between six months and one year. With Covid-19, the time period is almost certain to be longer. Most Offers in Compromise fail anyway. The CSED is tolled while the Offer is pending. The tolling ends once the Offer is accepted. Furthermore, the taxpayer must remain current for a period of five years on all tax filings and payments. Making a payment plan in order to get the IRS off your back does not extend the CSED. Filing for bankruptcy extends the CSED plus an additional six months after the bankruptcy is finalized. If the bankruptcy fails due to the tax returns not being timely filed, then you have simply given the IRS more time within with to collect the tax. You can file for bankruptcy for a federal income tax for any tax return that was due to be filed more than three years prior to the bankruptcy filing. Keep in mind that the original tax returns themselves must have been filed on a timely basis. The CSED is not extended if you enter into an installment agreement with the IRS. It is not extended while it is requested and while it is in place. Also be careful when applying for innocent spouse relief. If both husband and wife sign off on a tax return, they are both liable for the taxes owed. To be eligible for innocent spouse relief, the following conditions apply: 1. There was a joint income tax return filed for the year that resulted in the disputed debt 2. There was a substantial understatement of tax that was caused by an erroneous item on the return or the negligence of one spouse 3 . The “ i nnocen t ” spouse didn’t know or didn’t have reason to know there was a substantial underpayment of the tax liability 4. It would be inequitable or unreasonable to hold the spouse liable for the tax liability The problem is that filing for innocent spouse relief extends the CSED. If the CSED isn’t far off, you might be better off not filing for such relief. Remember: know the date of assessment and realize the IRS has only 10 years to collect that debt before you take any one of these courses of action.
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