In today’s society, raising children is expensive. However, irrespective of their relationship status, both parents bear a financial responsibility towards their children; in cases where parents separate or divorce, child support is put in place to ensure that parents meet their financial obligation to their children despite no longer living together. This court-ordered payment is intended to cover various expenses related to a child’s upbringing. If you’ve been ordered to pay or entitled to receive child support, you might be wondering if the payments you make or receive are taxable. Please continue reading to learn whether child support is taxable income in Massachusetts and why connecting with our determined Bristol County Child Support Lawyers is in your best interest.
Who is Required to Pay Child Support?
When parents don’t share physical custody equally, the parent who spends less time with their children will be required to pay child support. This is because the custodial parent incurs more costs as they care for the child daily. Child support is designed to help cover the expenses related to the child’s upbringing and ensure their needs are adequately met. It doesn’t matter whether the parents were ever married. As mentioned above, both parents must provide for their children financially. Once child support is ordered, it must be paid. Failure to uphold a support obligation can result in serious legal ramifications.
Are Child Support Payments Taxable?
Contrary to popular belief, child support payments are not taxable under federal and state law. As such, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) does not require you to include child support when reporting your federal income tax return. Child support payments are not tax-deductible. Taxpayers can reduce their tax liability by subtracting certain expenses from their taxable income through deductions. However, child support is not considered a deductible expense as it is regarded as a personal obligation instead of an allowable deduction. This is because child support payments are for the benefit of the child. Parents can use these funds to pay for expenses that provide for their children’s needs.
Nevertheless, it’s important to note that alimony payments made to an ex-spouse can qualify as tax-deductible for the praying party and are treated as taxable income for the recipient. Understanding the tax implications related to child support is crucial.
If you are a parent who has been ordered to pay or is entitled to receive child support, please don’t hesitate to contact The Law Offices of Cynthia L. Hanley for a consultation. Our legal team is prepared to help you understand your rights and responsibilities. Allow our firm to represent your interests today.
