Alimony Tax Deductions

Below are guidelines and tips on alimony tax deductions. Alimony paid is tax deductible for the person who paid the alimony whereas alimony received is considered income and has to be reported on the 1040 tax form as taxable income.

Is alimony tax deductible?

Alimony you paid is tax deductible on your tax return. You can claim alimony tax deductions even if you are not itemizing deductions on your tax return.

How to deduct alimony paid?

In order to claim tax deductions on alimony you paid, you must file the IRS tax form 1040, and not 1040-EZ or 1040A. You can only claim the alimony tax deductions on the full 1040 tax form.

To claim the alimony tax deductions, enter the amount of alimony you paid on the line that says 'Alimony Paid' under adjusted gross income. You must also enter the alimony recipient's (spouse's) social security number.

How to claim tax deductions on alimony paid to more than one person?

If a taxpayer paid alimony to more the one person in the tax year, only one social security number of the recipients needs to be reported on the Alimony paid section of the tax form 1040. Then on an attached statement, write down the social security number and the amount of alimony paid to each person. Then sum up the total amount of alimony paid and enter it in the front of the tax form 1040 under 'Alimony Paid'.

What happens if I don't have my spouse's social security number?

If you are claiming alimony tax deductions but do not have your spouse's or the alimony recipient's social security number, then the IRS may fine you $50 for the penalty of not having complete information when claiming alimony tax deductions and your alimony tax deductions claim may be disallowed by the IRS.