The new tax law scraps a 75-year old provision that allows a deduction for alimony payments. Currently, the spouse paying alimony is allowed to deduct such payments from taxes and the spouse receiving such payments must include monies received through alimony as taxable income. This deduction allowed for strategic financial planning for those persons going through divorce to attempt to cope with the expenses in running two separate households.
Under President Trump's new tax reform bill, beginning with separation agreement signed on or after January 1, 2019 the deduction for alimony payments will no longer be allowed.
Thus, if you are thinking about divorce and spousal support may be an issue and you want to take advantage of the spousal support deduction, you have until December 31, 2018 to enter into a separation agreement to take advantage of the deduction.
Of course, if you are the spouse that may be receiving alimony payments, there is incentive to wait until after January 1, 2019 to enter into a separation agreement.
Note, however, that spousal support may effect child support payments as calculated under Ohio law.