How do child support payments effect tax returns?

Answer 1

Are child support payments considered taxable income?

No. Child support payments are neither deductible by the payor nor taxable to the payee. When you total your gross income to see if you are required to file a tax return, do not include child support payments received. For additional information, refer to Tax Topic 422, Nontaxable Income, or Publication 504, Divorced or Separated Individuals..

Child support received is not considered income as well.


http://www.irs.gov/faqs/faq-kw24.html

Hope this helps from the IRS website.

Answer 2

It doesn't. And thank goodness it doesn't.
Neither the payer nor payee gets any tax benefit from child support payments. I mean, why should you benefit from something you should be doing anyway (Not you personally)?

Answer 3

They don't - neither the payer nor the recipient reports child support.

If you're behind in payments, you're refund can be seized to pay them.

In some cases, even if your divorce agreement says you as payer can claim the exemption, you might not be able to if you didn't pay enough in support.

Answer 4

Child Support is not deductable by the payer nor is it income to the receiver.

Answer 5

they dont either way; it doesnt count as income and it isnt a write off.

i would contact your legal aid office; they are in every state and most counties. they go on a sling scale so its free to most. look in the phone book or call the county court clerks office and ask them if they have the number. if you still cant find it, call the state and ask about it.

contact the IRS if you have to, but try legal aid or an area HR BLOCK first.

Answer 6

if you receive child support, you declare it, but its not counted as income,,,,,, if you pay childsupport you can deduct it from your income,,, there are places on the 1040 for both,,,,

Answer 7

they never effected mine