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Being married while owning a business isn’t just about love and partnership—it’s about liability, taxes, estate planning, and protecting your family’s future. In this episode of Business By The Numbers, Hunt DeMarest, CPA with Parmelis & Associates, pulls back the curtain on one of the most common yet misunderstood questions business owners face: should your spouse be on the business, the payroll, or the tax return?
From his own estate planning experience at 37 to the real-world pitfalls he’s seen in auto repair shops across the country, Hunt shares what every entrepreneur needs to know before signing their spouse onto ownership or payroll. This episode covers everything from joint tax filing risks to payroll tax traps—and even the little-known IRS relief provisions like innocent spouse and injured spouse rules.
What You’ll Learn:
00:00 Intro
00:40 Estate planning and why spousal ownership matters
Why estate planning is crucial at any age (yes, even in your 30s).
The difference between assets and liabilities when transferring ownership.
Why lawyers and accountants often approach planning differently.
The hidden costs of joint ownership in businesses vs. brokerage accounts.
05:56 Spouses, liability, and your business
Why putting your spouse on the business could expose them to payroll and sales tax liability.
The dangers of “splitting ownership” just to be fair.
Why estate tax benefits often don’t outweigh liability risks.
A real-world example of how the IRS can pursue both spouses if one is on the books.
12:00 Innocent spouse vs. injured spouse: IRS relief explained
The difference between innocent spouse relief and injured spouse relief.
When each applies—and why you hope you’ll never need them.
Why filing separately almost never makes sense (and when it might).
16:18 Payroll, joint filing, and the “nuclear option”
Why paying your spouse rarely saves taxes—and can cost thousands in payroll tax.
When it does make sense to put your spouse on payroll (hint: retirement accounts, health insurance).
Why joint filing almost always beats separate returns.
The rare scenarios where keeping your spouse off the business can protect your family

Hunt wraps up with a reminder: marriage and business both require careful planning. Talk to your spouse, your lawyer, and your accountant before making big ownership or payroll decisions—because the wrong choice could cost far more than you think.