Is Alimony Still Deductible Under the New Tax Law?

For a divorce completed in 2019 and later alimony payments will no longer be deductible and recipients of alimony will no longer include alimony payment in their taxable income.

Under prior tax rules, spouses paying alimony could deduct alimony payments on their tax return and the recipient of alimony had to pay income tax on the amount received.

The old rule still applies for divorce agreements finalized on or before Dec. 31, 2018 (unless the divorce agreement is modified after that date). Be mindful that the old rule still applies to income tax returns filed in 2019.