I just wrote a check to the IRS for another $4000 in addition to what we have already paid. We pay almost $8000 a year in child support - and have paid faithfully for many years now. I am proud of the fact that we support our children. However, when it comes to taxes, most people do not realize the non-custodial parent does not get a deduction of any sort for these payments - even though it is taxed but never available to that person. Meanwhile, the custodial parent does not have to declare it as income and still gets to take all the exemptions and child credits. Consequently - most get a large refund each year. The only way the non-custodial parent can claim their children is if the custodial parent agrees to let them do that - and that rarely happens. Do you think the IRS should allow fathers to take child support payments as a deduction? Do you think there might be fewer "deadbeat dads ( or mothers)" if the IRS would offer some incentives to those who pay?
2007-04-15 04:41:18 · 4 answers · asked by arkiemom 6 in Business & Finance ➔ Taxes ➔ United States
I am referring to my husband's children from a previous marriage. I call them "our children" because that is how I think of them rather than as step-children of mine. They live with their mother in another state.
2007-04-15 05:04:41 · update #1
Sorry to disappoint old footloose - no boat, no golf club, no gated community. Just a couple of hard working public servants nearing retirement with a small 3 bedroom house. But you are right about being in debt - most of that being for thousands of dollars of plane tickets a year so that my husband can see his children who were moved out of state by his ex. ( Who makes more money than he does by the way.) People shouldn't be so quick to jump to conclusions.
2007-04-15 05:32:13 · update #2
It can be unfair, to people with large support payments. There is a way to get the deduction other than the custodial parent agreeing, but it's a court order and might not be easy to get after the divorce is final - often there's something in the divorce or support decree allowing the non-custodial parent to take the deduction at least some of the time, maybe alternate years. You could talk to a lawyer and see if that's something you could request from the court, and what your chances of getting it would be.
Good luck. And kudos on doing the right thing and supporting the children.
2007-04-15 04:50:45 · answer #1 · answered by Judy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I did not read your rant,,, past ,,,figuring out + $12,000.00.
You don't mention a tax lawyer or accountant.
So I can laugh at you...
HOW much do YOU Gross????
I gross $35,500+ and pay $1854 fed and $.00 St and file the ez forms. Sissy kids.!!
I'LL bet you got a 4 bedroom house in a closed community, belong to the golf club, have a new SUV, and travel trailer (expandable). swimming pool, riding lawnmower, waterfront acreage, big ol ski boat, and are in the country club,and up to your eye-balls in debt..!! (TV) and you feel taken advantage of ??
Re-watch the forest Gump movie!
Stupid is, as stupid does.
Cheep!
2007-04-15 05:17:18 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Sorry. Nobody else gets to deduct the cost of groceries for their kids. You shouldn't be able to either.
2007-04-15 04:49:41 · answer #3 · answered by Lisa A 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋
our children? we?
neither of you have custody of your own children
2007-04-15 04:47:23 · answer #4 · answered by Mopar Muscle Gal 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋