Many state child support statutes are fuzzy when parents have exactly equal parenting arrangements. Let’s consider Colorado, for one example. In Colorado, the question is whether we should calculate exactly equal parenting as “shared” or as “split” custody. Under the statute, “shared” physical care means that each parent keeps the children overnight for more than […]
As the global pandemic began to impact the U.S. economy, Congress passed sweeping legislation in an attempt to deal with the anticipated fallout. First, Congress passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). Shortly thereafter Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). Between the two acts there are provisions that […]
Let’s look at the hypothetical case of a state trooper who has been working 10 years. His accrued pension benefit is $2,500 a month. If he works another 10 years, his accrued pension benefit will be $4,500 a month. He is 52 years old and seems likely to work until regular retirement at age 62. […]
NJ Child Support Calculation and Taxes
The NJ Supreme Court orders annual revisions to the NJ Child Support Guidelines (R5:6A). Effective June 1, 2020, the revisions included new tax calculation estimates to be used in child support calculations. This article details the changes and how to use the software to ensure that the taxes you apply to income meet your expectations.
There might be a case in which the alimony payor lives in a state which does tax alimony at the state level, but the recipient lives in a state which does not. In order to indicate that the payor would receive the state tax deduction and the recipient will pay no state income tax on […]
Synching Florida CS Guideline Worksheets
This post concerns a situation that can arise when you override a number on the Florida Official Guideline Worksheet and then select the “Court Printing”option for printing. In shared custody cases, if numbers on the Official Worksheet are overridden and then the option for Court Printing format is checked, then the worksheets may appear to […]
Lump Sum Alimony and Child Support
In some states, including California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, current alimony is a factor in calculating child support. What if the party is paying the negotiated monthly alimony in a lump sum instead of monthly? How should child support reflect that fact? One approach would be to calculate […]
Non-taxable Disability Income
A client receives income from a private disability policy that is not subject to income tax. Where do we enter this amount and show it is not taxable? Go to Client Info > Income & Expenses > Wage-Like Income. Scroll down to the line for disability income Check the box next to the entry for […]
Imputed Income
If judge says, “Impute $25,000 of income,” how should I treat that income for tax purposes — as pre-tax or after-tax? Ultimately, it comes down to the imputation of income – was it intended to be gross or net? While it is true the party with imputed income will not be paying taxes on that […]
Working with Client Files
We have a new system for working with client online files. It allows you to view and edit the same file the client is currently working in. Start by going to the screen where you opening create files, and click the link labeled “Register Client.” Once the client has created their file, what you do […]