Many considering divorce, and even some individuals currently going through the divorce process in Georgia, are often surprised to learn that that alimony is tax deductible for the payor and treated as taxable income to the recipient spouse. After learning this information, the next logical question is: "Are child support payments tax deductible too?"
Unfortunately for non-custodial parents ordered to pay child support post-divorce, unlike alimony payments, child support payments are not deductible by the payor. Consequently, child support payments are not treated as taxable income to the custodial parent receiving the child support payments. So, if you are a non-custodial parent ordered to pay child support and alimony to your ex-spouse, be sure to keep track of the payments designated for alimony and the payments designated for child support for tax purposes. If you are a custodial parent receiving child support and alimony payments, it is also important for you to keep track of child support and alimony received separately. As an alimony recipient, you must include the alimony payments received when calculating your gross income for income tax purposes; however, you are not required to include the amount of child support payments received when calculating your gross income. Like with any question regarding income and taxes, be sure to speak with a certified public accountant or certified tax preparer when completing your tax returns.