Reporting Alimony Payments

Reporting alimony is simple -- you don't need to file an extra tax form to do it. However, you must use the long income tax form (Form 1040) instead of Form 1040EZ or 1040A.

If you received alimony, write the amount on Line 11 of Form 1040.

If you paid alimony, write the amount on Line 31a, and also write the recipient's Social Security number on Line 34b. If you paid alimony to more than one person, write one person's number on Line 31b, and attach a statement to your return showing an itemization of how much you paid to each person, and listing each recipient's SSN.