Getting Divorced in CT? Tax Checklist
Getting divorced in Connecticut? This divorce tax checklist covers filing status, alimony, claiming children and what to update before year-end. Checked November 3, 2026.
For general education only. Not tax, legal, insurance, or investment advice, and not a promise of any result. Tax rules and due dates change, so confirm with the IRS (irs.gov), the CT Department of Revenue Services (portal.ct.gov/DRS) or your town before you act, and ask your tax preparer about your own situation.
What changes for your taxes
- Filing status: if you're divorced or legally separated under a decree on the last day of the year, you're considered unmarried for that whole year (IRS Pub 501).
- Alimony: for divorce or separation agreements executed after 2018, alimony isn't deductible by the payer or taxable to the recipient (IRS Topic 452).
- Children: the custodial parent can release the claim to the noncustodial parent with Form 8332 (IRS).
What to do before December 31, 2026
- To do Update your Form W-4 and CT-W4 for your new filing status.
- To do Changed your name? Update Social Security before you file (IRS).
- To do New address? File Form 8822 with the IRS (IRS).
- To do Health coverage: losing coverage can open a special enrollment period at Access Health CT. Check the rules and deadlines (Access Health CT).
- To do Agree in writing who claims each child and who pays any estimated tax due on joint accounts.
The Connecticut side
- Your CT filing status generally must match your federal one (CT DRS).
Related free tools: What did I forget? CT tax checker · Tax deadline reminders · Tax checklists
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Frequently asked questions
Can I file jointly the year I get divorced?
No. If your divorce is final by December 31, you're considered unmarried for that whole year for filing status purposes.
Is alimony taxable?
For agreements executed after 2018, alimony is not deductible by the payer and not included in the recipient's income.
Who claims the children after a divorce?
Generally the custodial parent. They can release the claim to the other parent with Form 8332.
Sources (Checked November 3, 2026)
- IRS Publication 501: Filing status (marital status on the last day of the year)
- IRS Topic 452: Alimony and separate maintenance
- IRS: About Form 8332
- IRS: About Form W-4
- CT DRS: Form CT-W4 (2026)
- IRS: Name changes and Social Security number matching
- IRS: About Form 8822, Change of Address
- Access Health CT: Special Enrollment Periods
- CT DRS: 2025 Form CT-1040 instructions (filing status, property tax credit)
For general education only. Not tax, legal, insurance, or investment advice, and not a promise of any result. Tax rules and due dates change, so confirm with the IRS (irs.gov), the CT Department of Revenue Services (portal.ct.gov/DRS) or your town before you act, and ask your tax preparer about your own situation.
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