Why the New Alimony Tax Law Hurts Women

 Posted on June 07, 2019 in Family Law

The new tax law that went into effect at the start of 2019 harms women in a variety of ways. From lower spousal support payments to higher taxes due to children not qualifying as a deductible, the so-called “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act” can have serious consequences for women and men getting divorced in 2019, and those who are planning to modify an agreement as well.

Alimony Is No Longer a Tax-Free For the Payee

Under the new tax rules, spousal support is no longer tax-deductible for the spouse who pays it. While the new law gets rid of the rule that made alimony as taxable income for the lower-earning spouse, the fact that it is not tax-deductible for the paying spouse means that there is overall less money for the lower-earning spouse.

Tax Deductions for Having Children

Tax exemptions reduce a spouse’s taxable income. The previous tax law included a $4,050 exemption for each dependent, which the new tax law has entirely eliminated. This means that many single mothers will have a taxable income equivalent to $4,050 more than in years past, which can have serious negative consequences. For a mother with two children, her taxable income will now be $8,100 greater. On the other hand, the child tax credit was doubled from $1,000 to $2,000 under the new law, and more families will now qualify because the income thresholds have been significantly reduced. To qualify for the child tax credit, the child must have lived with that parent for at least half of the year. While a parent can now receive up to twice the amount as before under the new law, the significant increase in taxable income due to child tax deductions means that many single mothers may have to stretch the budget even diligently.

Call a Hinsdale Divorce Attorney Today for Help

The changes made in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act have changed divorce significantly in the past year and created additional complexities for spouses to negotiate. It is more important now than ever for women and mothers to achieve the highest possible support orders due to the increased financial strain that the new tax law has created for them. Call 630-920-8855 to schedule a free consultation with the dedicated DuPage County divorce attorneys at the Law Office of Martoccio & Martoccio today.

Sources:

https://www.cnbc.com/2018/11/29/new-divorce-tax-rules-could-result-in-a-big-financial-disadvantage.html

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/have-kids-5-ways-the-new-tax-law-affects-you-2018-02-21