The increased child support payment reduces Tom's net cash flow by the full amount. Under the standard tax treatment, child support is not deductible to the payer and is not taxable to the recipient. That differs from qualifying periodic spousal support, which may be deductible to the payer and taxable to the recipient when the legal requirements are met. Because the increased amount relates to child support for university expenses, Tom receives no tax deduction and no offsetting tax credit merely because he pays more. The tuition tax credit belongs to the eligible student unless transferred under applicable rules; it is not automatically applied to Tom because he pays support. The planner should update Tom's cash-flow plan, debt ratios, retirement savings ability, and emergency reserve using the full increased payment. Study Guide focus: child support, spousal support, tax deductibility, cash-flow planning, and separation agreements. This distinction is essential when modelling separation settlements because gross payments and after-tax cost can differ sharply.

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