Child Support Payments and Taxes

If you’re the non-custodial parent as a result of your divorce, you’re probably concerned about the tax ramifications of your child support payments. After all, you want what’s best for your kids. You want to provide for them, to supply for them the things they need most: food, shelter, education, and medical care. If you’re going through a divorce and have any questions about child support payments, contact the West Palm Beach divorce lawyers of Eric N. Klein & Associates, P.A. by calling 561-353-2800 today.

Taxes and Your Support Payments

Unlike the situation with alimony payments, child support payments are not taxed. The parent making the payments is not taxed, and neither is the recipient parent (or child, for that matter). This means that 100% of the payment you make will go directly to the children. However, unlike alimony payments, they are also not tax deductible for either parent.

To qualify as child support payments, there must be a specific designation that child support payments will be made in the legal terms of the divorce. Otherwise, the money can and will be taxed, or you are breaking federal tax law. If the divorce agreement only lists money for alimony or “family support,” none of the payment can be counted as child support for tax purposes. It’s important to understand this before you settle on a divorce agreement.

Contact Us

If you or someone you love is considering a divorce and is worried about child support payments, contact the West Palm Beach divorce attorneys of Eric N. Klein & Associates, P.A. by calling 561-353-2800.