Can you take the standard deduction after alimony is subtracted?

[justsomeguy]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? CA

I'm thinking this is one or the other? If you have court ordered alimony. Can you take the standard deduction from your payroll after you have paid alimony? or does alimony come out before taxes so your actual pay is less, and then you can take the standard deduction? Or... Do you simply get one or the other?

I make about 45K I pay my Ex about 10,000 a year, that is just a number we settled upon for alimony and child support, none of it required by the court. I was debating making it official to take the deduction, but I don't "think" I can do both? yes/no?

 

[LdiJ]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? CA

I'm thinking this is one or the other? If you have court ordered alimony. Can you take the standard deduction from your payroll after you have paid alimony? or does alimony come out before taxes so your actual pay is less, and then you can take the standard deduction? Or... Do you simply get one or the other?

I make about 45K I pay my Ex about 10,000 a year, that is just a number we settled upon for alimony and child support, none of it required by the court. I was debating making it official to take the deduction, but I don't "think" I can do both? yes/no?

Alimony has nothing to do with the standard deduction or itemized deductions. Alimony is an "above the line" deduction that specifically reduces income, before the standard deduction or itemized deductions even kick in. So that you understand it better, I suggest that you go to irs.gov and download a copy of the 1040, and review it line by line so that you can see where alimony gets deducted, and where the standard deduction/itemized deductions factor in. If you do so, you will see that alimony gets deducted well before the standard deduction applies.

 

[tranquility]

While I agree with LdiJ, the answer is yes. Alimony is direct to adjusted gross income (aka above the line). Since things are calculated on AGI, alimony is the best thing ever.