Alimony Calculator
Estimate spousal support amount and duration based on income difference and years of marriage.
By Konstantin Iakovlev · Updated April 2026 · Source: IRS — Topic No. 452, Alimony
Monthly Alimony
$1,875.00
Annual Alimony
$22,500.00
Est. Duration
Medium-term: ~6.0 years
Alimony Calculation
| Higher Earner Income | $120,000.00 |
| Lower Earner Income | $45,000.00 |
| Income Difference | $75,000.00 |
| Formula (30% of difference) | $22,500.00 |
| Monthly Alimony | $1,875.00 |
| Annual Alimony | $22,500.00 |
Duration & Total Estimate
| Years Married | 12 |
| Estimated Duration | Medium-term: ~6.0 years |
| Total Estimated Alimony | $135,000.00 |
Tax Note: Since 2019 (Tax Cuts and Jobs Act), alimony payments are not tax-deductible for the payer and not taxable income for the recipient for agreements executed after December 31, 2018.
Use the Alimony Calculator above to calculate your results. Enter your values and see instant results — all calculations run in your browser.
Disclaimer: This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, financial, or legal advice. Results are estimates based on the information you provide and current rates. Always consult a qualified tax professional or financial advisor for advice specific to your situation.
How It Works
Spousal support hinges largely on the income gap between divorcing partners and how long the marriage lasted. Feeding those two inputs into the estimate below produces a ballpark figure for both the monthly amount and how long payments might run, giving each side a concrete starting number to weigh before settlement talks in 2026 get underway.
The amount here draws on a formula many courts lean on: 30% of the higher earner's gross income minus 20% of the lower earner's gross income. Duration generally falls between 30% and 50% of the marriage length when the marriage ran under 20 years, and stretches longer, sometimes with no fixed end date, once a marriage passes the 20-year mark. These ranges reflect the judicial guidelines commonly applied in 2026.
No estimate carries the force of a court order, so read this as an opening position rather than a settled obligation. The formula also says nothing about the non-financial trade-offs a marriage often involves, such as one partner stepping back from a career to raise children or support the other's work. A family law attorney can fold those circumstances into advice tailored to your situation.
Example: 15-Year Marriage, Income Disparity
- 1 Input: Spouse A Gross Income = $120,000/year, Spouse B Gross Income = $40,000/year, Years of Marriage = 15.
- 2 Calculation: (30% of $120,000) - (20% of $40,000) = $36,000 - $8,000 = $28,000 per year. Duration: 40% of 15 years = 6 years.
- 3 Result: Estimated Alimony Payment = $2,333 per month for 6 years.
- 4 Context: This estimate helps Spouse B understand potential support, while Spouse A can anticipate their financial obligation. This doesn't account for child support, health insurance, or other specific legal factors that a court might consider, such as a substantial inheritance received by one spouse during the marriage.
Source: IRS — Topic No. 452, Alimony · Last updated: April 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How is alimony calculated?
Is alimony taxable in 2026?
How long does alimony last?
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