Maryland · Alimony Paid (pre-2019)
Alimony Paid (pre-2019) in Maryland (2026)
Alimony payments made under pre-2019 divorce agreements are deductible above the line. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act eliminated this deduction for agreements executed after December 31, 2018. Maryland has a progressive income tax with a top rate of 6.5%, so a Maryland filer's combined marginal rate on the next dollar at $90,203 of income is about 26.75% (22% federal + 4.75% MD).
2026 savings example for Maryland
Planning estimate for a single filer earning $90,203 (Maryland median household income in LevyIO's state dataset) who removes $5,000 from taxable income. Federal tax uses the 2026 IRS brackets after the $16,100 standard deduction; MD tax uses the state brackets in LevyIO's dataset and assumes the state follows the federal treatment.
Estimated total savings
$1,338
Federal savings
$1,100
$11,015 → $9,915 · 22% bracket
MD state savings
$238
$4,073 → $3,836 · 4.75% marginal
Combined marginal rate
26.75%
≈ $268 saved per $1,000 deducted
Federal × Maryland marginal rates (2026, single)
Gross-income ranges include the federal standard deduction. The MD column is the state marginal rate at the midpoint of each range. The last column is the tax saved per $1,000 deducted at that combined rate.
| Federal bracket | Gross income (single) | MD marginal | Combined | Per $1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | $16,100 - $28,500 | 4.75% | 14.75% | $148 |
| 12% | $28,500 - $66,500 | 4.75% | 16.75% | $168 |
| 22% | $66,500 - $121,800 | 4.75% | 26.75% | $268 |
| 24% | $121,800 - $217,875 | 5.5% | 29.5% | $295 |
| 32% | $217,875 - $272,325 | 5.5% | 37.5% | $375 |
| 35% | $272,325 - $656,700 | 5.75% | 40.75% | $408 |
| 37% | Over $656,700 | 6.25% | 43.25% | $433 |
Eligibility & forms
Available to individuals who pay alimony under divorce or separation agreements executed before January 1, 2019.
- Divorce or separation agreement must be executed before 2019
- Payments must be in cash or cash equivalent
- Payments must not be designated as non-alimony
- Spouses cannot file a joint return together
- Payments must cease upon recipient's death
Federal forms: Form 1040 Schedule 1
Maryland filing notes
Total tax includes state and county. County tax adds significantly. Both estate and inheritance taxes apply. Low standard deduction makes itemizing worthwhile. Retirement income subtraction available for 65+.
Common mistakes: Claiming deduction for agreements after 2018 (no longer deductible); Including child support payments as alimony; Not reporting recipient's SSN on tax return; Confusing property settlements with alimony.
Frequently asked questions
How much can the Alimony Paid (pre-2019) save a Maryland taxpayer in 2026?
In LevyIO's example, a single filer with $90,203 of income (the Maryland median household income in our state dataset) who removes $5,000 from taxable income saves about $1,100 in 2026 federal tax (22% marginal bracket) plus about $238 in Maryland tax (4.75% state marginal rate), roughly $1,338 combined. It is a planning estimate computed from the 2026 IRS brackets and LevyIO's MD bracket data, not a survey figure.
What is the Maryland income tax rate for 2026?
Maryland has a progressive income tax with a top rate of 6.5%. The MD standard deduction in LevyIO's dataset is $3,350 single / $6,700 married. 10 brackets from 2% to 6.5% (6.25% over $500k, 6.5% over $1M single). County taxes add 2.25-3.20%. Both estate AND inheritance tax. Low standard deduction.
Who qualifies for the Alimony Paid (pre-2019) in Maryland?
Available to individuals who pay alimony under divorce or separation agreements executed before January 1, 2019.. The federal rules are the same in every state; the requirements are: Divorce or separation agreement must be executed before 2019; Payments must be in cash or cash equivalent; Payments must not be designated as non-alimony; Spouses cannot file a joint return together; Payments must cease upon recipient's death. Maryland filers should confirm on the MD return whether the state follows the federal treatment.
Which forms do I file to claim the Alimony Paid (pre-2019)?
Federal: Form 1040 Schedule 1. Maryland: check the Maryland Comptroller instructions for the matching state schedule. Common mistakes: Claiming deduction for agreements after 2018 (no longer deductible); Including child support payments as alimony; Not reporting recipient's SSN on tax return; Confusing property settlements with alimony.
Alimony Paid (pre-2019) in other states
Sources
Reviewed 2026-09-17. Estimates are educational planning figures computed from the IRS 2026 inflation adjustments and LevyIO's state bracket dataset; they are not tax advice.