I had paid my estranged wife a full and final alimony amount through a bank draft in end December 2013 before filing a mutual consent divorce petition in early January 2014.I had also issued six account payee cheques to her as part of monthly maintenance till June 14. However, as the case is still in Hon. Judges’s court I even now pay her monthly maintenance charges through cheques.The case is likely to be decided in the next hearing scheduled in July 15.
I wish to know what income tax benefits I can avail with respect to payment of full and final alimony as well as monthly maintenance payments made since Jan 14.Please mention the applicable sections of the Income Tax Act and also how to reflect these benefits/exemptions in my income Tax return.