T
The Daily Insight

Is alimony tax deductible in Illinois?

Author

Emma Jordan

Published Apr 07, 2026

2019 Changes to Illinois Spousal Maintenance Laws Going into effect on January 1, 2019, the recently passed tax bill eliminates the tax deduction for the obligor’s spousal maintenance payments and makes the spousal maintenance income tax-free to the recipient.

How is alimony taxed in Illinois?

Spousal maintenance payments can be deducted by the party paying them for taxes and are counted as income for the receiving party. Maintenance can be classified as nontaxable and nondeductible if agreed upon in the divorce settlement.

How do you calculate alimony in Illinois?

The basic formula for alimony in Illinois is fairly simple: (33% of the payer’s net income) – (25% of the recipient’s net income) = the yearly maintenance paid. One condition to this is that the amount awarded cannot cause the receiving spouse to earn more than 40% of the couple’s combined net income.

How is alimony calculated in Illinois?

On January 1, 2019, the spouse who pays alimony can no longer deduct maintenance costs on federal and Illinois tax forms. The recipient of spousal support does not have to declare alimony as taxable income.

How are alimony payments taxed in the state of Illinois?

On a federal level, all qualifying Illinois alimony payments are deductible by the payor, and counted as taxable income by the recipient. To qualify as alimony under IRS guidelines, the following must be true: The payments are in cash The parties live in seperate households

How are maintainence rewards granted in Illinois alimony?

Illinois Alimony Law Summary How are Maintainence Rewards Granted? During a dissolution of marriage or legal separation in Illinois, a spouse may file for a maintenance order. The court may grant temporary or permanent maintenance award for a dependent spouse, the amount and length of time the maintenance continues is based on the courts decision.

What can an Illinois alimony mediator do for You?

Often, a Illinois alimony mediator can be brought in to help the ex-spouses come to a mutual agreement regarding alimony and other contested issues such as property division, and thus avoid having to go to court. How are alimony payments taxed?

When does a court order spousal support in Illinois?

Married less than 5 years (0.20) Married For 20 years or more, the court will either order permanent spousal support or maintenance for the length of the marriage. So, for example, spousal support awarded to someone in a 10-year marriage would be paid for 4.4 years.