Why is child support not a tax deduction?

The other spouse usually gets to claim the kids on thier taxes. Seems kinda unfair.

 

They get to claim the kid, do not have to report the CS and the parent paying the CS does not get to claim they paid it or claim the kid.

The other, gets BF'ed.

 

It depends on the agreement. Out of 3 kids my B-I-L gets to claim 1 every year and 1 more every even year while his wife gets tro claim one every year and 1 more every odd year.

 

Maybe if we thought about it this way, I have two kids, I don't get to claim the expenses I spend on them (diapers, formula etc....) so why should the parent paying child support get to claim the money they are giving to the child for those same exact needs? The person that is claiming the child on their tax return is usually the person that the child is living with and they are paying the mortgage on that house, or rent, and utilities etc...

Whereas, alimony is a different ballgame in which you do claim the income and the expenses on your taxes, these expenses are not for minors per se.

Does that make sense?
Sharon

 

This is why the tax code is so confusing. How about we get rid of all the tax exemptions period.

 

No. Because I have seen evidense that majority of moms use that money for themselves to not just the kids. So yes they should be able to claim it. Because you should be buying those items with that money. If the Government would audit the person receiving the money on a regular basis and make them accountable for that money and its purpose I would be happy. I am not in that situation but I know a few guys who are. Thier ex's splurge on that money which is just wrong.

 

Server, yes, I totally agree with that, I think those that get child support should be audited and their financial records should indicate where the child support goes. I was just stating one of the reasons that child support isn't tax deductible. I think this is one of those topics whereas a few bad apples in the barrel ruins the whole barrel, some women OR men that take advantage of child support gives others a bad rap who are really using it for the correct intentions.

 

Yep- very well put!!
I claim the kiddo because I have custody. The parent paying the child support never pays enough to cover all those stupid little things kids need and or want.
I actually flagged my ex's tax return when I called the IRS the first year we were separated so that if he tried to claim her it woold spit him out and audit him. They told me the custodial parent is the only one who can claim the child or children as dependents.

 

You can not throw rent/mortgage/utils on there because the parent in charge has to pay those anyway since they have to have a place to live as it is so thats a mute point. Ok the utils might go up slightly from the kid(s) use. The rest, the parent would have to shell out anyway. The non parent in charge still has to pay child support (as they should) which in theory is supposed to be half of what it takes to raise a child each month....the parent in charge supposedly paying the other half.

Yet the parent in charge gets the deduction, the non parent in charge does not. The PIC doesnt claim the CS as income and the NPIC doesnt get to claim CS as an expense. The PIC gets a double (bonus...if you will) of the deduction and not claiming or paying taxes on the CS.

 

You have a key word in there....."want". CS is for what the kid needs, not supposedly what they "want" and no the NPIC is not supposedly to cover ALL the stupid things they need or want, only half.

 

I agree with Lindenul....Sometimes it is ok to just say NO!! What really chaps my hide is the amout they think it would cost to raise the child. They base that off of income. 60/40 rule? I think my child support was going to be like 1300. But she gave him to me and I have had him ever since. But she has not paid a dime. Double standard?? Why yes it is!

 

In my experience, most non-custodial parents think they pay too much, and most custodial parents think they do not get enough child support. If household expenses are divided by the number of people living in the home, and specific expenses for the child added to the child's share, I think in most cases the custodial parent is paying well over half. Just my opinion, never paid or received child support myself.

Sharon, I think you are exactly right about the rationale behind the tax law in that respect.

 

She certainly should be paying you child support, if you are raising the child.

 

PIC also gets the best end of the deal (if you can call divorce a "best" anything) and thats that they get to see the kids every day. The NPIC gets every other weekend or whatever deal they can get.

I would take mine every day and tell his mother to keep the dern CS. Dont want it, dont need it....just give me my son and we are good.

 

Yup, divorce hurts everybody, and it hurts children the most. Sorry you don't get to spend more time with your son, Lindenul.

 

Oh i do..i get 12-13 days and nights with him a month plus i coach all of his sports teams. Its good but not enough of course but there are many other NPIC's out there that are fighting day and night to keep their 4 days a month or holidays only and some trying to get even more.

Course there are the deadbeats but please let us not go down that path ok?

 

KD if they audited the custodial parent for the funds that have been given. What do you think they will find? I personally think they would find huge gaps where the kids get very little of the money they are supposed to recieve.

 

Does the law actually say the money provided has to be spent on the kids? If so and you audited them now you have a bureaucrat determining how the parent should spend their money.

 

Actually it is the childs money for expenses. Not the parents money to do with as they wish.

 

Again, is it the law that all child support go to the child's expenses and if so how does a bureaucrats determine the spending is right or wrong?