topic Child support garnishment is withdraw directly from my SSN every month so (1) Can I claim as dependent ? if not (2) Can I claim only the remaining of my SSN benefit ? in Get your taxes done using TurboTax

Child support garnishment is withdraw directly from my SSN every month so (1) Can I claim as dependent ? if not (2) Can I claim only the remaining of my SSN benefit ?

gready9- — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 07:00:53 GMT

Child support used to be an item that you can file for deduction before so now if it becomes garnishment then can be treated as itemize of deduction ?

Re: Child support garnishment is withdraw directly from my SSN every month so (1) Can I claim as dependent ? if not (2) Can I claim only the remaining of my SSN benefit ?

VolvoGirl — Sun, 02 Jul 2023 16:57:23 GMT

You mean from your Social Security checks? I don't think child support was ever a deduction, only alimony. No you can't claim a dependent unless you have custody.

See IRS Publication 501 starting on page 11 bottom Dependents

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p501.pdf

Who can I claim as a dependent?

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/credits-and-deductions/help/who-can-i-claim-as-my-dependent/00/26781

Re: Child support garnishment is withdraw directly from my SSN every month so (1) Can I claim as dependent ? if not (2) Can I claim only the remaining of my SSN benefit ?

rjs — Sun, 02 Jul 2023 17:22:25 GMT

"Child support used to be an item that you can file for deduction before so now if it becomes garnishment then can be treated as itemize of deduction ?"

VolvoGirl is correct. Child support is not tax deductible, and it never was, no matter how you pay it.

"(1) Can I claim as dependent ?"

Paying child support does not make the child your dependent. See the links that VolvoGirl provided to determine whether you can claim the child as a dependent.

"(2) Can I claim only the remaining of my SSN benefit ?"

You have to report the full amount of your Social Security benefits, as shown in box 5 of your Form SSA-1099. You cannot subtract the garnishment. It's the same as if you received the full amount of the benefits, and then wrote a check yourself to pay the child support.

SSN is your Social Security Number, not your benefits.