Learn how spousal maintenance (alimony) works in Texas, including who can get it, how judges decide, legal limits on the amount and duration of payments. A person making qualified alimony payments can deduct them.In most cases, the Texas Family Code provides that spousal maintenance may only be ordered for spouses that have been married for 10 years or longer. The IRS states that you can't deduct alimony or separate maintenance payments made under a divorce or separation agreement executed after 2018. What additional amount should I have withheld from each paycheck? Alimony may be tax-deductible, but only if you finalized your divorce or support agreement before January 1, 2019. The purpose of alimony is to limit any unfair economic effects of a divorce. A Spousal Support Only case is a case that has no child support ordered. How do I complete the IWO? If you are struggling to verify your spouse's income one should go to court and get an order to compel your spouse to produce the tax return.