From a collections perspective, though, if you are married to a dead beat loser or even someone who is somewhat casual about their financial obligations filing a joint return with them can be a no brains maneuver particularly in the final year of the marriage.

FORBES: Man Gets Innocent Spouse Status

Not much point in trying to rip off the account of a dead-beat, right?

FORBES: Home Depot, Sears, Kmart, and Kohl's Hit By Identity Theft Ring

Studies by the Government Accountability Office have identified tens of thousands of such dead-beat companies that are being awarded government contracts.

WHITEHOUSE: Tax Accountability in Government Contracts

De Becker offered his own ultimatum: Officially own up to fatherhood or face a tell-all book by Jazmin portraying the prince as a dead-beat dad.

FORBES: The Prince And The Blogger

And we are not a dead-beat nation.

WHITEHOUSE: President Obama Holds a News Conference

And when all else fails: beat the dead horse of terrorism in Indonesia.

ECONOMIST: Vote of no confidence

Instead, try to beat a dead market with a few breakout stocks.

FORBES: When Picky Analysts Pick

Having given a circumstantial account of his having decoyed away a young girl, who, when lying asleep in a secluded lane, he beat about the head with a hammer, and left for dead, police officers were despatched, and found that the statement was too true.

ECONOMIST: The provinces