Internal Revenue Service United States Department of the Treasury
Level Basic Intermediate Advanced Military International

Adjustments to Income

Alimony Paid

Obtaining the Information

During the interview, ask if the taxpayer paid alimony under a divorce or separation instrument. If so, ask the taxpayer for the exact amount, as well as the social security number of the recipient, because the recipient must report the payment to the IRS as income and the two amounts must agree.

Example

Anthony has been divorced for three years. According to his divorce documents, he paid his ex-wife $12,600 during the tax year. As a favor, he also made $2,400 in payments for her vehicle lease so she could keep steady employment. Anthony can take the $12,600 as an adjustment to income, but not the vehicle lease payments, which were not part of the divorce.

For additional information on alimony, refer to the Alimony chapter in Publication 17 and Publication 504, Divorced or Separated Individuals.

Tax Software Hint

To review information related to the software, go to the Volunteer Resource Guide (Tab 3).