topic MA Alimony is still deductible but not tranferring from Federal in State tax filing

MA Alimony is still deductible but not tranferring from Federal

glake — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 12:10:38 GMT

First. I am aware the tax law change regarding alimony on federal taxes. I don't need that explained (again and again).

Because the date of my agreement falls after the date of the change alimony is no longer deductible for federal taxes.

HOWEVER it is still considered deductible in Massachusetts and TurboTax is not transferring the amount from Fed to State. The Federal form treats it as zero because the date makes it ineligible. I would expect TurboTax to transfer the actual amount (displayed as zero on Federal) to MA schedule Y on MA state.

I can override the amount in forms (MA Schedule Y) mode (and have it work correctly), but I cannot e-file when there is an override.

I believe this is a bug

Re: MA Alimony is still deductible but not tranferring from Federal

ErnieS0 — Sun, 19 Feb 2023 02:18:19 GMT

At this point, you will need to override to include your deductible alimony. The data source for Schedule Y Other Deductions is "federal Form 1040 or 1040-SR, Schedule 1, line 19a, if filing as a resident" and line 4, Part II of the Form 1-NR/PY Income Worksheet if filing as a part-year or non-resident.

The worksheet will populate Schedule Y and deductible federal alimony will not carry forward in your situation.

You are correct that alimony payments remain deductible in Massachusetts.

See Massachusetts law about alimony.

Re: MA Alimony is still deductible but not tranferring from Federal

glake — Sun, 19 Feb 2023 03:31:20 GMT

You I see the source mentioned on Fed Sched 1 line 19a. That line exists.

I'm not following what you said about the source for the NonResident MA form. Where does that get entered?

Edit: Disregard, I found it

Re: MA Alimony is still deductible but not tranferring from Federal

lee0314D — Sun, 19 Feb 2023 03:42:57 GMT

How can I override the income section to include my Alimony on the Mass State Income? I know I have to pay taxes on the funds - but it doesn't populate from the Federal side, and I don't see anywhere to add it to income in the Massachusetts state.

Re: MA Alimony is still deductible but not tranferring from Federal

glake — Sun, 19 Feb 2023 03:45:04 GMT

You can't be using "online" TT.

You must use "Forms" mode, It cannot be done in Step-By-Step mode

Re: MA Alimony is still deductible but not tranferring from Federal

ErnieS0 — Tue, 07 Mar 2023 23:20:01 GMT

Massachusetts aligned with IRS rules as of January 1, 2022 to conform with the federal deduction on alimony. Alimony can only be deducted from the MA return if it's deductible on the Fed return. (i.e. on or before 12/31/2018).

See TIR 23-1: Tax Provisions in the Fiscal Year 2023 Budget, Including Massachusetts Personal Income Tax Code Update.

Do not override as suggested in the original answer below. TurboTax is correct.

Yes. You can only override in Forms mode in TurboTax CD/Download. Find Massachusetts Schedule Y and right-click on line 3 and select Override (or Ctrl-D). The field will change color and you will be able to enter your alimony paid.

If you can't find Schedule Y, select Open Forms at the top of the left column, tap the + sign next to Massachusetts and double-click on Schedule Y.

@lee0314D

[Edited 03/07/23 | 15:13 PST]

Re: MA Alimony is still deductible but not tranferring from Federal

glake — Sun, 19 Feb 2023 04:39:47 GMT

When I did it on schedule Y it would not let me e-file on the non-resident form

See below

Quoting your previous post

Re: MA Alimony is still deductible but not tranferring from Federal

ErnieS0 — Sun, 19 Feb 2023 13:18:38 GMT

Yes. You are not able to e-file a return with an override. You will have to print and mail your return. You can still e-file federal.

See How do I print and mail a return in the TurboTax for Windows CD/Download software?

You can e-file Massachusetts without an alimony subtraction and mail in an amended return later for the balance of your refund.

An override will also void the TurboTax 100% Accurate Calculation guarantee.

@glake

Re: MA Alimony is still deductible but not tranferring from Federal

glake — Sun, 19 Feb 2023 13:34:54 GMT

Ahhh but I could e-file if I made the change (in the NR form anyway) in the income worksheet instead of directly in Schedule Y

That was the work-around. It seems if there is an override in a form that is filed (as opposed to a worksheet) e-file doesn't work.

Re: MA Alimony is still deductible but not tranferring from Federal

Theo01237 — Tue, 28 Feb 2023 18:26:39 GMT

Will this be fixed before filing deadline so we can e-file with the proper alimony deduction?

Re: MA Alimony is still deductible but not tranferring from Federal

glake — Tue, 28 Feb 2023 18:48:17 GMT

Probably not, but you can e-file now

You have to make a manual entry in the income worksheet (not schedule Y) so it propagates to schedule Y. If you do it directly in schedule Y it won't let you e-file. It says it can't with an override.

In my case if was in forms

MA Income WKS

Part 2 Line 4

Filing in the correct alimony amount there propagated it to schedule Y and allowed me to e-file

Re: MA Alimony is still deductible but not tranferring from Federal

Theo01237 — Tue, 28 Feb 2023 19:53:39 GMT

Ok thanks! But I have to buy and download the desktop version correct? Doesn't seem to allow me to override online.

Re: MA Alimony is still deductible but not tranferring from Federal

glake — Tue, 28 Feb 2023 19:54:46 GMT

I'm guessing that is the case. I've never used the online version so I can't be of much help

Re: MA Alimony is still deductible but not tranferring from Federal

RobertB4444 — Tue, 28 Feb 2023 22:08:12 GMT

You can pretty easily import everything you've already done from the online version into the desktop version to continue working and have the functionality that you need.

Here is how to move from online to desktop.

@Theo01237

Re: MA Alimony is still deductible but not tranferring from Federal

makeislesstaxing21 — Tue, 07 Mar 2023 17:40:08 GMT

https://www.mass.gov/technical-information-release/tir-23-1-tax-provisions-in-the-fiscal-year-2023-b...

Massachusetts has updated their IRC conformity date from as amended on January 1, 2005 to as amended on January 1, 2022. Meaning that they now conform to many federal provisions and calculations - including the deductibility of alimony paid and the taxability of alimony received. Alimony paid is only deductible if it is deductible on the Federal return, and alimony received is only taxable if it is taxable on the Federal return.

The product is handling the calculations correctly. Overrides are not needed.

Re: MA Alimony is still deductible but not tranferring from Federal

glake — Tue, 07 Mar 2023 17:54:25 GMT

I believe that is for next tax year. As of today I believe for TY 2022 alimony is deductible for MA irrespective of deduction on federal taxes

This on the mass.gov website TODAY

For Massachusetts income tax purposes however, Massachusetts adopts the federal rules as they existed on January 1, 2005 with respect to the deduction of alimony payments and the inclusion of such payments in income. Therefore, Massachusetts taxpayers can still take a deduction for alimony payments made to a former spouse on their Massachusetts personal income tax return and recipients of such payments must still include them in gross income for tax years subsequent to the TCJA.

https://www.mass.gov/service-details/alimony

And that is my defense if I'm wrong lol

Re: MA Alimony is still deductible but not tranferring from Federal

MichelleK — Tue, 07 Mar 2023 18:32:42 GMT

The updated IRC conformity applies to tax year 2022.

"Pursuant to the FY23 Budget, the Massachusetts personal income tax generally conforms to the Code as amended on January 1, 2022 and in effect for the taxable year for these purposes, effective for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2022."

https://www.mass.gov/technical-information-release/tir-23-1-tax-provisions-in-the-fiscal-year-2023-budget-including-massachusetts-personal-income-tax-code-update#i-introduction

Re: MA Alimony is still deductible but not tranferring from Federal

glake — Tue, 07 Mar 2023 18:39:13 GMT

Thanks. I believe you are correct

I have already filed my taxes based on the guidance that was on the mass.gov website at the time and remains unchanged as of TODAY (which says deductible)

I'll reach out to them (mass.gov) to notify them that their info is dated. Not sure why/how they could expect the average person to going digging into the technical updates when their main site says something else

Re: MA Alimony is still deductible but not tranferring from Federal

Karca — Tue, 07 Mar 2023 18:52:08 GMT

It looks like Massachusetts just hasn't updated their website.

According to what was posted earlier by makeislesstaxing21

https://www.mass.gov/technical-information-release/tir-23-1-tax-provisions-in-the-fiscal-year-2023-budget-including-massachusetts-personal-income-tax-code-update#i-introduction

It states in section II: Code Update.

Edit: It looks like it was cleared up in the above 2 posts.

Re: MA Alimony is still deductible but not tranferring from Federal

glake — Tue, 07 Mar 2023 18:50:27 GMT

Yup and I just told them so (mass.gov the department of revenue)

And if they ever complain about my return I will use that as my defense. I went by what you had on YOUR website when I filed.