is a former spouse receiving partial military retirement a tax deduction?

Public Comments

1. Uh, NO
2. No. If the retired pay is being paid directly to the former spouse by the Cleveland DFAS office then you'll each receive a Form 1099-R showing how much was paid to you individually and any income taxes withheld from your share. If you receive the entire retirement check and have to pay it to your former spouse directly you'll need to check your divorce decree. Normally that would be treated as alimony or spousal support and would be deductible as an above-the-line adjustment for you and would be taxable income for your former spouse. If the decree doesn't classify it as alimony or spousal support then the entire lump is taxable to you and tax-free for the former spouse. That's a highly unusual situation but it can happen.
3. Sorry, No.
4. NO. Receiving retirement pay is income. Why would that be a tax deduction??? Deductions for things YOU pay. In some states, like Illinois, military pay and retirement pay are not taxed. And if it's a former spouse, it doesn't affect you anyway.