My husband is a great musician but a terrible business man. He also repairs band instruments.

It seems that he has worked so sporatically over the past four years that he has not filed his taxes and owes them. I think that the amount is close to: $12000.00! He has visited a tax man to get the wheels started.

What should he do to get the IRS to let him pay them off without going to jail, pay a huge fee, or worst yet jail? I know that they cannot come after me as I am disabled, and did not even know him when this has been going on.

Should we get a quick claim on my house? He has never made a payment by the way.

First he needs to file his tax returns for those years, and get them filed.
The criminal charges will come form not filing, not being late with the payments.

You need to talk with them and arrange payment plans or a settlement

Is your husband self-employed? From the sound of your post he is. If so, who reported his income to the IRS? The point that I am making is that, assuming your husband is self-employed, the IRS has no way to track his income unless your husband reports it. Now, if he is not self-employed, then of course his employer has reported all of his earnings to the IRS. His employer should also have withheld tax payments from his salary and sent them to the IRS under his social security number. So, even if he hasn't filed his tax returns, he doesn't necessarily owe any taxes. In fact, he might be even due a refund, which he loses out on by not filing a tax return. Now, assuming that the IRS has caught wind of your husband's earnings by whatever means and his missing tax returns, as Fr. Chuck said the most important thing for him to do is to file the returns first. The payments (if due) can always come at a later time. You may want to consult with a tax attorney before doing anything.