Is Child Support Taxable or Tax-Deductible?

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Written by True Tamplin, BSc, CEPF®

Reviewed by Subject Matter Experts

Updated on January 28, 2024

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Child Support Overview

Child support is a legal responsibility that mandates one parent to contribute financially to the needs of their child or children following divorce or separation.

It is intended to cover costs involved with raising a child, which include food, housing, transportation, clothes, and standard educational fees.

The child support process starts in two ways: when you apply for child support services or when another public assistance program sends a referral to your local child support office.

Each state approaches child support legislation and calculation differently, but it is generally based on gross incomes, financial capacity, and particular circumstances of parents.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) stipulates that child support is not taxable.

Child_Support_Is_Not_Taxable


Is Child Support Taxable?

The parent who receives child support is not required to pay taxes on the payments.

The custodial parent is using the money to support the child and not using it for personal gain, so the IRS does not consider it taxable income.

If you are receiving around $5,000 per year as child support, there is no need to indicate this amount in your total annual income.

Is Child Support Tax Deductible?

The parent who pays child support must report the total amount of their income on their tax return. Child support payments are not deducted from gross income.

Child support is seen as a personal expense under tax guidelines. Thus, it cannot be written off as a business expense. It remains so regardless of how many children the parent supports or how much overall assistance is given.

Is There Any Tax Benefit Available?

In certain conditions, the noncustodial parent paying child support may take advantage of the common possible credits and deductions.

IRS Form 8332. This form is used when a divorce or separate support agreement indicates that a noncustodial parent may claim the dependent children.

In general, only the parent with primary custody may claim the child as a dependent. However, suppose the custodial parent gives the noncustodial parent a written and signed statement giving them that right. In that case, the child could be declared dependent.

Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit. This tax credit may help you pay for the support and care of eligible children. Only one parent can claim under the condition that the income is below the benefit threshold.

For 2024, the following rule applies:

Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit Rules




You can consult with a tax accountant to confirm the tax benefits available for your specific situation.

Final Thoughts

Child support is a legal duty that requires one parent to contribute financially to the needs of their child or children following divorce or separation.

Child support payments are neither deductible for the payer nor taxable income for the recipient since these payments are regarded as personal expenses.

In some cases, the noncustodial parent can take advantage of some credits and deductions, such as claiming the dependent children. Such credit helps pay for child care if the parent’s income is low.

The federal law on child support reinforces that they have the same obligations towards their children, even if they are no longer living together.

Is Child Support Taxable or Tax-Deductible? FAQs

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About the Author

True Tamplin, BSc, CEPF®

True Tamplin is a published author, public speaker, CEO of UpDigital, and founder of Finance Strategists.

True is a Certified Educator in Personal Finance (CEPF®), author of The Handy Financial Ratios Guide, a member of the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing, contributes to his financial education site, Finance Strategists, and has spoken to various financial communities such as the CFA Institute, as well as university students like his Alma mater, Biola University, where he received a bachelor of science in business and data analytics.

To learn more about True, visit his personal website or view his author profiles on Amazon, Nasdaq and Forbes.

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