Spouse gets social security disability, has to pay child support arrears. How can I best file to get most money back for me?

[stokes2]

Some say hardship form but what is it?

[Bsch4477]

It’s the injured spouse form. 

https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/accessing/help/how-do-i-file-form-8379-injured-spouse-allocation/0...

[DoninGA]

There is no such thing as a hardship form for a federal tax return.  Payment of child support is not entered on a tax return.

Social Security Retirement/Disability/Survivors benefits are reported on a form SSA-1099 and the benefits received are to be entered on a federal tax return. The benefits may be taxable depending on the amount of other income you have entered on your tax return.

[xmasbaby0]

There is no form called a hardship form.  If you had income of your own, then you could file a joint return but prepare an "injured spouse" form so that you can still receive the part of the refund that is based on YOUR income.   it is tricky if you are in a community property state.

Community property states:  AZ, CA, ID, LA, NV, NM, TX, WA, WI

INJURED SPOUSE

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1910698-how-do-i-file-form-8379-injured-spouse-allocation