Child Support and Canadian/USA Taxes

ChrisinUSA · Post by **ChrisinUSA** » Tue Jan 14, 2014 6:24 am

Hi all,

This year (2014) would be my last year of filing taxes in Canada as I have immigrated to the USA, or so I thought. Due to the fact that I will start paying child support this year (2014) am I required to file taxes in Canada each year until I am finished paying support or have the child in my custody?

If someone could please explain this that would be great.

nelsona · Post by **nelsona** » Tue Jan 14, 2014 10:13 am

No. You are PAYING child support. This is not income for you, so no need for an income tax return.

ChrisinUSA · Post by **ChrisinUSA** » Tue Jan 14, 2014 12:00 pm

Will I have to claim said support payments on USA tax returns in the future since I am a PR of the USA or is the answer to this question no as well?

nelsona · Post by **nelsona** » Tue Jan 14, 2014 12:28 pm

Again, you are PAYING this support, so you would never HAVE TO report them. If you are asking CAN you DEDUCT such payments from your income in US? Only TRUE alimony (but not child support) can be deducted on line 31a of your 1040.

Your former spouse will not have to report any of this on a US return; she will (or will not) have to report the payments to CRA in accord with CRA's rules only.