Smith, an individual, is required to pay goode yearly alimony of $6,000 and yearly child support of $18,000. smith paid goode $20,000 in 2017. smith’s 2017 w–2 income was $50,000. considering only the foregoing facts, what should smith’s adjusted gross income be for 2017

Generally speaking, the taxpayer can deduct his alimony payment but not his child support payment. He may, however, be entitled to claim the child as a dependent, although this is beyond the scope of the question.

We can deduct the alimony payment but not the child support payment. Smith paid Goode $20,000 in 2017, although he owes 24,000. The adjusted gross income depends only on how much Alimony he paid.

If he paid the full $6,000 alimony and only 14,000 of child support, he can deduct the $6,000 for an adjusted gross income of 50,000- 6,000= $46,000.

If, for example, he paid the full $18,000 in child support and only 2,000 in alimony, he can only deduct the $2,000 for an adjusted gross income of 50,000 - 2,000 =48,000.