# Tax implications of separation and divorce

**URL:** <https://forum.rosen.com/t/tax-implications-of-separation-and-divorce/5386>\
**Category:** Divorce and Separation Answers\
**Created:** [December 13, 2007, 10:19am UTC](https://forum.rosen.com/t/tax-implications-of-separation-and-divorce/5386 "2007-12-13T10:19:04Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![avictim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d78d45/32.png) [@avictim](https://forum.rosen.com/u/avictim)\
**Post date:** [December 13, 2007, 10:19am UTC](https://forum.rosen.com/t/tax-implications-of-separation-and-divorce/5386/1 "2007-12-13T10:19:04Z")

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1st off, i am NOT an attorney. I can answer this question partly however.

Alimony is treated as income by the recipient and is therefore taxable income. You can also claim this in your taxes when you file as a deduction. As far as her lawyer wanting 27% more, maybe that is fair, I don’t know your specifics regarding your income, her income, length of marriage, possible marital fault etc. To me, agree to what is fair upfront and she pays the taxes and you get the credit on whatever you pay. Do you have an attorney in this matter? If you don’t, get one or you may live to regret it. Fight for your rights…

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**Author:** ![Helena\_Nevicosi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/db5fbb/32.png) [@Helena\_Nevicosi](https://forum.rosen.com/u/Helena_Nevicosi)\
**Post date:** [December 16, 2007, 2:51pm UTC](https://forum.rosen.com/t/tax-implications-of-separation-and-divorce/5386/2 "2007-12-16T14:51:26Z")

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Alimony as ordered by the court is an amount to be paid to the dependent spouse from the supporting spouse. This amount is included in the income of the dependent spouse and deducted from the income of the supporting spouse.

However, it does not have to be the way I described above. The two of you are free to agree that the supporting spouse will pay the taxes on the alimony and it will not be included in the income of the dependent spouse.

It sounds like your spouse is trying to get a specific amount of money after taxes. That may be the reason why your Wife’s attorney has drafted the agreement in this way.

Helena M. Nevicosi  
Attorney with Rosen Law Firm

4101 Lake Boone Trail, Suite 500  
Raleigh, North Carolina 27607  
919.787.6668 main phone  
919.787.6361 main fax

Charlotte Office  
301 McCullough Drive  
Suite 510  
Charlotte, NC 28262  
Main Phone: (704)307.4600  
Main Fax: (704) 9343.0044

Durham & Chapel Hill Office  
1829 East Franklin Street  
Building 600  
Chapel Hill, NC 27514  
(919) 321.0780

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**Author:** ![siig2006](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/90db22/32.png) [@siig2006](https://forum.rosen.com/u/siig2006)\
**Post date:** [December 13, 2007, 6:31am UTC](https://forum.rosen.com/t/tax-implications-of-separation-and-divorce/5386/3 "2007-12-13T06:31:13Z")

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My wife and I are stuck on one part of the separation agreement which seems to be one of us misunderstanding the tax implications.

What is the official tax implications of paying alimony?

I deduct it and she has to claim it as income therefore pay taxes on it?

Her attorney has put a provision in the agreement that if I choose to deduct the amount paid in alimony, I either have to pay her 27% of the deducted amount in april, or pay 27% additional of the monthly alimony cost.

That doesn’t seem right to me.

What is the NC official stance on this?
