topic Can I claim child support as income? in Deductions & credits

Can I claim child support as income?

caribousun12 — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 11:13:44 GMT

Do I add child support anywhere as income, or since it isn't considered earned income, do I leave it out?

Thanks!

Re: Can I claim child support as income, if I want to?

DoninGA — Thu, 05 Jan 2023 00:21:45 GMT

Child support is not entered on a tax return. Either child support given or child support received.

Re: Can I claim child support as income, if I want to?

xmasbaby0 — Thu, 05 Jan 2023 01:05:55 GMT

Not sure where you are even entering child support as income since there is no place to enter it on your tax return. But child-related credits are based ONLY on income you earned from working. You cannot use child support to inflate your income and increase your child-related credits. The IRS matches up the income you enter on your return to the income reported by employers.