Divorce, no matter how amicable, is a life-changing event. At Reade Law Firm, PC, we understand that even in the most straightforward, uncontested divorces, questions and concerns about the future are at the forefront of our clients’ minds.Â
One common area of inquiry involves the tax implications of going through a divorce. It’s crucial to understand how this significant life event can affect your financial landscape, especially when it comes to taxes. In particular, it is important to understand the impact your property settlement can have on your tax liability, to ensure that you do not end up shouldering an unfair tax burden.
Dividing Appreciated Assets and Retirement Accounts
The way you divide marital assets during a divorce can have significant tax implications. While the transfer of property between spouses as part of a divorce settlement generally doesn’t incur tax obligations, the future sale of those assets might. For example, selling a home or securities that have appreciated in value could result in capital gains taxes. It is important to keep tax liability in mind when developing a plan for dividing your assets, because assets of equivalent current value might have a very different net value when you consider the taxes that will need to be paid.
If you are dividing retirement accounts that have been funded with pre-tax dollars, this also carries potential tax consequences, so it requires careful planning to avoid immediate liability and penalties. A Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) may be necessary to split retirement accounts without triggering a taxable event.
The Impact of Filing Status Changes
One of the most noticeable tax implications of an uncontested divorce is the change in filing status. During the marriage, couples often benefit from filing jointly, which can lead to lower tax rates and eligibility for various deductions and credits. Filing jointly can also offer advantages such as higher income thresholds for tax brackets, which can be particularly beneficial for managing the overall tax burden. Additionally, couples may be eligible for educational credits, deductions for contributions to IRA accounts, and more, which can substantially decrease the amount of taxable income. For that reason, couples who are still in the midst of a divorce at the end of the calendar year might want to consider filing their taxes jointly, even if they have separated their finances.
However, if the divorce was finalized by the end of the year, each former spouse must file taxes for that year as single or, if they qualify, as head of household. This changes the tax brackets and can affect the overall tax liability.
Filing as head of household status may provide more favorable tax rates and a higher standard deduction compared to filing single, but specific criteria must be met regarding dependents and household expenses. To qualify for head of household status, a person must:
- Be unmarried or considered unmarried on the last day of the year
- Have paid more than half the cost of keeping up a home for the year
- Have a qualifying person (such as a child or dependent relative) live with them for more than half the year, with certain exceptions allowing for temporary absences
This filing status not only offers a lower tax rate and a higher standard deduction but also potentially qualifies the filer for various credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit, Child and Dependent Care Credit, and education-related credits, which are more generous than for those filing single.
Tax Credits and Deductions for Dependents
Determining who will claim the children as dependents is another crucial tax consideration in a divorce. Tax credits like the Child Tax Credit and deductions for education expenses can significantly affect your tax liability. Typically, the custodial parent has the right to claim these tax benefits, but the non-custodial parent may claim them if the custodial parent releases the claim in writing.
Alimony and Child Support Considerations
Recent changes in tax law have reshaped the treatment of alimony payments. For divorces finalized after December 31, 2018, alimony payments are no longer deductible by the payer, nor are they considered taxable income for the recipient. This change contrasts with the previous rules and can significantly impact the financial strategies of both parties in a divorce. Child support, on the other hand, remains non-deductible for the payer and is not considered taxable income for the recipient.
Navigating Your Tax Implications with Reade Law Firm, PC
Understanding the tax implications of your uncontested divorce is essential for making informed decisions and planning for your financial future. At Reade Law Firm, PC, we guide our clients through these complexities, ensuring they are prepared for the tax-related consequences of their divorce. Our approach is to listen, collaborate, and tailor our strategies to meet your unique needs and goals.
Contact us today to schedule a confidential consultation. Together, we’ll explore how your uncontested divorce may impact your taxes and develop a plan to manage any potential challenges. Contact us online or call us at (978) 767-8383. We’re happy to help.