I have a Treasury Benefit payment offset on my SSA-1099 - Where does it go?

[johngorczyca]

Money was taken from my SS benefits to pay support for former wife. Do I have to pay income taxes on money I did not get?

[rjs]

@johngorczyca - It's not clear exactly what you mean by "support for former wife." Is it child support or alimony? Child support is not tax deductible, but alimony is. But if it's alimony, you do not make the adjustment when you enter your SSA-1099. Alimony that you paid is entered in a different place. When you enter your SSA-1099, you must enter the full amount in box 5 as it appears on the SSA-1099.

[rjs]

When you enter your SSA-1099 in TurboTax, enter the full amount in box 5 as it appears on the SSA-1099. Do not make any adjustment for the Treasury benefit payment offset or any of the other amounts under "Description of Amount in Box 3." You do not enter the offset amount anywhere in TurboTax.