Taxes post divorce

[Deleted]

I was divorced early this year and am paranoid about my first single tax bill;  no reason in particular but just the unknown and hoping I planned it out correctly.

What was your experience that first year post divorce - did you get hit hard or it worked out fine?

I specifically avoided alimony in my settlement because I know it's taxable.  So I'm hoping I took enough out of my paychecks.  I can't take a big tax bill!

[glitzyglow]

My tax bills have been less than when I was married.

[redshoejune]

This is my first year as well and I think it will be fine. I tried to adjust my witholdings to maximize my paychecks so I was worried about it as well. If you are really concerned you can try to approximate it using the IRS withholding calculator or by trying to fill out the draft tax forms for 2015 that the IRS has posted.

[Deleted]

It didn't really affect anything for me, but my taxes were never complicated. I always run it quickly through turbo tax to get a ball park if I'll owe anything before taking a more thorough second look.

[bl]

I actually came out ahead when filing single. My mom is legally a dependent of mine, I am now able to file head of household since I am single. If your taxes aren't super complicated you can plug them into a quick tax calculator on hrblocks website and get a ballpark idea. I do this several times throughout the year since I am salaried and my pay is consistent, so I can adjust my withholdings accordingly.

[mcgee]

I come out ahead every year post-divorce. I also had no alimony - it's almost impossible to get in my state - and while the divorce was pending, my attorney demanded that in lieu of spousal support (which is taxable), he give me the bulk of the proceeds from the sale of the house and just pay the standard child support.

I wasn't earning a lot when we divorced, so the lower income certainly helped, along with the child tax credits. Last year was the biggest refund I've ever received in my life, married or not. I'm nervous about filing this time around because I switched jobs in early 2015 and got a large raise and am now in a higher bracket, but I think I'll still have a refund.