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If the mortgage is considered alimony, you can deduct alimony paid to a former spouse as long the divorce or separation agreement is executed by December 31, 2018. 

Amounts paid under divorce or separate maintenance decrees or written separation agreements entered into between you and your spouse or former spouse are considered alimony for federal tax purposes if:

• You and your spouse or former spouse do not file a joint return with each other

• You pay in cash (including checks or money orders)

• The payment is received by (or on behalf of) your spouse or former spouse

• The divorce or separate maintenance decree or written separation agreement does not say the payment is not alimony

• If legally separated under a decree of divorce or separate maintenance, you and your former spouse are not members of the same household when you make the payment

• You have no liability to make the payment (in cash or property) after the death of your spouse or former spouse, and

• Your payment is not treated as child support or a property settlement

   

Payments Not Alimony

Not all payments under a divorce or separation instrument are alimony. Alimony does not include:

• Child support

• Noncash property settlements

• Payments that are your spouse's part of community property income

• Payments to keep up the payer's property, or

• Use of the payer's property

For additional information, see IRS Topic No. 452 Alimony and Separate Maintenance

To enter your alimony payments:

1. Sign in to TurboTax and open or continue your return.
2. Click  and search for alimony paid.
3. Select the Jump to link in the search results.
4. Answer Yes on the Did you pay alimony to a former spouse in 2019? screen and follow the onscreen instructions.

Unlike alimony payments, you can't deduct child support. Read more.

Related Information:

• Do I need to report alimony I received from a former spouse?
• Do I need to include child support on my federal taxes?

Source: TurboTax FAQ and Marketstar