Is there a tax problem if I do not pay her Alimony in the third year after our divorce?
Answer:
The deductible alimony payments made in the first year or second year may have to be recaptured as income in the third year where the alimony payments within the first 3 years decrease by more than $15,000. Payments made in the second after the separation year are recaptured if the payments exceed the payments in the third post separation year by more than $15,000. Payments made in the first after the separation year are recaptured as income if they exceed the "average" payments made in the second post separation year and the third post separation year by more than $15,000. The recaptured amount is reported on IRS Form 1040 on the line Alimony received with a notation Alimony recapture with the payee spouse’s social security number.