More questions paying parents ask

• I got a notice saying I am on the Lien Docket. How do I make a payment to get off the Docket?
  To make payment as part of an agreement with your child support agency to avoid an enforcement action connected with the Lien Docket, contact your local child support agency for a special form.
  
  To make a payment on the debt that led to a lien, you may use your Payment Coupon. To apply the payment to the court case with a lien, you must "designate" the payment to that specific court case. Write the court case number on the "Designated Court Case?" line, and check the box to the right of that line. To see a sample payment coupon, click here, and then go to page 4 of the document.
  
  Please note: If you owe current support for the court case you selected, the payment will first pay the current support due for the selected court case.
  
  
• I am paying past-due support that I owe to two families. Things happen, and sometimes one of the families needs more money than I pay each month. How do I make an extra support payment that will only go to the one family?
  If you want to make an extra payment to help one family, you may use your Payment Coupon or a "Quick Print" coupon. To apply the payment to the court case with a lien, you must "designate" the payment to that specific court case. Write the court case number on the “Designated Court Case?” line, and check the box to the right of that line. To see a sample payment coupon, click here, and then go to page 4 of the document.
  
  Please note: If you owe current support for the court case you selected, the payment will first pay the current support due for the selected court case.
  
  
• The other parent doesn't spend the support money on our kids. What can be done about this?
  The money the other parent spends on housing, utilities, and food is money that is shared with your children. If you believe your children are not being adequately fed, clothed, or housed, you should contact the social/human services agency where your children live. Neither the state nor the federal government has jurisdiction (control) over how a parent spends child support payments.
  
  
• If I pay the child support, why don't I get a tax deduction?
  The Internal Revenue Service regulates tax deductions for dependents. Call the IRS's toll-free number (800) 829-1040 or visit their website at www.irs.gov for tax information. Your divorce or paternity order might state which parent can claim the deduction for dependents. Check your court order for this information.
  
  Please note: The federal Earned Income Tax Credit is different than the federal tax deduction for a child. For the Earned Income Tax Credit, the child must have lived with you for over six months of the year.
  
  

  Click here for links to federal and state tax information
  
  

• The other parent hired a private collection agency because I owe past-due support. What should I do?
  Your court order requires you to send your payment to the Wisconsin Support Collections Trust Fund. Sending payments to the Trust Fund is the only way to make sure you get credit for your payments.
  
  Mail your payment (payable to the "WI SCTF."), along with your Payment Coupon, to
  
  Wisconsin Support Collections Trust Fund
  Box 74200
  Milwaukee, WI 53274-0200.

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