CA process: CA does not conform with the federal change that for divorces finalized after December 31, 2018, as well as separations signed after that date. Thus all alimony paid must be entered in TaxSlayer regardless of the date of divorce decree or subsequent amendments. 


  • Refer to Pub 4012 page E-14 for rules.
  • Alimony does NOT include child or family support, which are NOT deductible.
  • Go to the Alimony Paid page [Deductions > Adjustments > ....]
    • The SSN of the person receiving alimony is required because that person must report it as income.
      • If no SSN is available, use 111-00-1111. 
        • If the alimony paid is a reduction in income on the federal return, paper file the return with a statement as to why no SSN was available. (The statement doesn’t have to be in TaxSlayer [Miscellaneous Forms > Explanations > ...].)
        • Note for CA returns: In this situation, the CA return also must be paper-filed.
    • If the alimony agreement was revised after 2018 and the revised agreement says that alimony paid is no longer treated as a deduction (nor as income to the recipient), enter the revised date (not the original agreement date) so that TaxSlayer eliminates the alimony from the federal return.
  • Note for CA returns: If the alimony paid does not reduce taxable income on the federal return, TaxSlayer automatically posts the alimony as an adjustment (decrease of income) on CA Schedule CA Part I, Section C line 19a.
  • Note for CA returns: The last name, not the full name, of the person being paid alimony must be entered in the State Section [Basic Information > Additional Personal Information].

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