Alimony and Taxes: What You Should Know

by Joseph C. Maya on Mar. 23, 2018

Divorce & Family Law Divorce Divorce & Family Law  Family Law 

Summary: A blog post outlining the basics of alimony and what is or isn't tax deductible.

If you have questions about divorce, legal separation, alimony and taxes, or family law in Connecticut, please feel free to call the experienced divorce attorneys at Maya Murphy, P.C. in Westport today at 203-221-3100 or email Joseph C. Maya, Esq. at JMaya@Mayalaw.com.

You may deduct the alimony or separate maintenance payments you are required to make to your spouse or former spouse, or to a third party on behalf of that spouse. This is because your spouse or former spouse will pay the tax on this income. One benefit of having the recipient pay the taxes is that the recipient’s tax rate is likely lower than the tax rate of the person paying alimony. This topic covers spousal support under divorce or separate maintenance decrees or written separation agreements entered into by you and your spouse or former spouse after 1984. It explains what is deductible if you pay alimony, and what is taxable if you receive it.

Requirements for Deducting Alimony

Spousal support payments you make under a divorce or separation instrument, such as a divorce decree or a written agreement incident thereto, are deductible if all of the following requirements are met:

  • You and your spouse or former spouse do not file a joint return with each other,
  • You pay in cash (including checks or money orders),
    The divorce or separation instrument does not say that the payment is not spousal support,
  • If legally separated under a decree of divorce or separate maintenance, you and your former spouse are not members of the same household when you make the payment,
  • You have no liability to make any payment (in cash or property) after the death of your spouse or former spouse; and
  • Your payment is not treated as child support.

Can I Deduct Child Support?

Child support is never deductible. If your divorce decree or other written instrument or agreement calls for alimony and child support, and you pay less than the total required, the payments apply first to child support. Any remaining amount is then considered spousal support.

Are Cash or Property Divorce Settlements Considered Alimony?

Property settlements, whether in a lump sum or installments, even though required by the divorce decree or other written instrument or agreement, do not qualify as alimony. Any payments not required by such a decree or agreement also do not qualify. You do not have to itemize deductions to claim your spousal support payments. You may claim the deduction on line 34a of Form 1040. You must provide the social security number of the spouse or former spouse receiving the payments. If you don’t, you may have to pay a $50 penalty and your deduction may be disallowed.

How Do I Report Alimony on my Federal Taxes?

If you are the spouse or former spouse who is receiving the alimony, you must report the full amount as income on line 11 of Form 1040. If you do not give your social security number to your spouse or former spouse who is making the alimony payments, you may have to pay a $50 penalty.

For a free consultation, please do not hesitate to call the experienced family law and divorce attorneys at Maya Murphy, P.C. in Westport, CT at 203-221-3100. We may also be reached for inquiries by email at JMaya@mayalaw.com.

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