§ 301.6231(a)(12)-1. Special rules relating to spouses.

Wife owns an interest in ABC Partnership and is identified on the Schedule K-1 of the partnership return. Wife and Husband live in a community property state. The partnership return of ABC partnership does not identify Husband, and Husband is not identified as a partner entitled to notice as provided in § 301.6223(c)-1(b). Pursuant to paragraph (a)(3) of this section, the partnership interest of Wife shall be treated as separately owned by Wife.

Husband and Wife own a joint interest in XYZ Partnership. The partnership return identifies both spouses on the Schedule K-1. Under this section, each spouse is treated as a separate partner. If Wife enters into a settlement agreement, Wife's partnership items convert to nonpartnership items pursuant to section 6231(b)(1)(C). Accordingly, Wife no longer has the right to participate in the partnership proceeding subsequent to entering into the settlement agreement. Pursuant to paragraph (c) of this section, however, the partnership items of Husband are not affected by the conversion of the partnership items of Wife, and Husband continues to have the right to participate in the partnership proceeding. This result is the same regardless of whether the partnership items are reported on a joint return or on separate returns.