Wife finds out husband secretly has $7,000 in unpaid child support after filing taxes, he pretends he didn’t know, despite blindsiding her: “He set you up and hid information from you”

Author image for Briana Viser
Briana Viser • Writer and Editor
May 1, 2025 12:00 PM EDT

Hey there, internet schemers. No one likes to feel betrayed. Finding out you've been living under an illusion can make one physically ill. When you find out about lies and deceit from the person who's supposed to be your absolute trustworthy partner can feel like a stab in the heart, and it can spiral the entire relationship. You start wondering what else they're lying about, and every word that comes out of their mouth lacks the same conviction as it did before the reveal. It doesn't matter what it's about, and of course we all make white lies here and there, but when it comes to your spouse or partner, there's absolutely no reason to lie to them. 

Getting a divorce with children can be messy. No one appreciates the headache of bureaucracy involved, or the annoying visits to lawyers. This is all of course outside of the emotional toll not only on you, but on your entire family. 

The story below combines a complicated divorced man paying child support, as well as betrayal. The protagonist finds out something incredulous that she can't even believe. Read the full story for all the juicy details. 

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  • 01

    AITAH for being angry my tax refund paid off my husbands child support

    "I feel blindsided"
    via Morakot Kawinchan from Getty Images / Canva

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02
    My husband and I filed our taxes jointly this year for the past two years. I was completely unaware that he had $7,000 in unpaid child support-I thought he was making regular monthly payments. We were expecting a refund, but only $175 was deposited.
    via u/No-Phase2652

  • It's so terrifying to feel like your husband or wife has been lying to your face. Not only lying to your face, but taking advantage of you on purpose. It could be grounds for divorce, which is so sad, and not an easy decision to make for anyone. It depends on their entire relationship, and if she feels like there are other things going on. 

  • 03
    I feel blindsided, violated, and taken advantage of. When I brought this up, he dismissed my feelings and told me I should be grateful the child support is now paid off because it means he can contribute more money each month.
    via u/No-Phase2652
  • 04
    That logic doesn't make sense to me his child is still under 18, so he still has to make ongoing payments regardless.
    via u/No-Phase2652
  • 05
    I feel physically ill. He is not supportive of how I'm feeling whatsoever and is actually angry at me for how I am responding.
    via u/No-Phase2652
  • 06
    AITAH? Update: Injured spouse form is in the mail. I had to physically mail it, it couldn't be electronically filed.
    via u/No-Phase2652
  • 07
    SugarCube80 Lawyer here who used to practice family law before I decided I didn't hate myself: there's no way he didn't know he owed that money, and there's no way he didn't know it was coming out of your refund. The notices are
    via u/SugarCube80
  • 08
    insanely pervasive; his job and bank also knew this would happen. He set you up and hid information from you.
    via u/SugarCube80
  • 09
    Bella1643412 Fill out the Injured Spouse Allocation form. NTA.
    via u/Bella1643412
  • 10
    Accomplished-Fly49... NTA You're dealing with a man who doesn't pay child support and tricked you into paying it.
    via u/Accomplished-Fly4992
  • 11
    He is a Don't expect him to be any better than he has already shown. He won't be.
    via u/Accomplished-Fly4992
  • 12
    sallen 779 You married a loser
    via u/sallen 779
  • 13
    AssociationHot2423 Your husband knew this would happen which is why he wanted to file joint ly and did not pay any child support. He's also a deadbeat for not paying child support in the first place. I'd suggest a divorce, but just don't expect
    via u/AssociationHot2423
  • 14
    him to pay to support the kids you have with him either.
    via u/AssociationHot2423
  • 15
    Jaded-Ad-7694 Divorced father of now grown children. Parents that don't pay their child support are degenerates.
    via u/Jaded-Ad-7694
  • 16
    Purple Grass_5300 NTA but you shouldn't date a man who isn't a good father. My ex pays $1200/month but still has a $15,000 arrears. In my state, child support will go until college graduation too so 18 may not even be the cut off
    via u/Purple Grass_5300
  • 17
    13 If li the a Do you want innee's Form Dep 1040 U Label (See instructions on page 14.) Use the IRS label. Otherwise, please print or type. Presidential Election LABEL HER F Schedule 1040A) non For Dep (See page 17.) Use the IRS label. Otherwise, please print or type. Presidential ABEL HERE Election Campaign If a join Home address (number and str City, town or post office, state, and ZIP code. If you Check here if you, or your spouse if Filing 1 Single status 2 Married filing jointly (even Check
    via sdominick from Getty Images Signature / Canva

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 18
    Key Situation643 NTA and go with everyone else's advice. Here to say I was garnished for $15k that my husband owed from over a decade ago that I had absolutely no clue about. Never apologized or even acknowledged it.
    via u/Key Situation643
  • 19
    TarzanKitty You can still file the injured spouse form.
    via u/TarzanKitty
  • 20
    Cheezburger Image 10499778560
    via Comstock from Photo Images / Canva

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 21
    Tendencies NTA however, you now know you're married to a man that thinks it's ok to be so behind on supporting his own children... it's up to you what you wanna do with that info
    via u/Tendencies
  • 22
    Mindless-Damage-5... Contact the IRS and file an injured spouse claim. They will revise the refund, and you can get your portion back.
    via u/Mindless-Damage-5399
  • 23
    Various-Buy8848 He knew. He knew. He knew. What everyone says here. The amount of notices he would have received are beyond junk mail proportions.
    via u/Various-Buy8848
  • 24
    My ex did this and hid not paying his taxes for YEARS. To the tune of 120k with fines and interest. My savings account was seized, tax refund and wages were garnished until paid off. He didn't bat an eye. Filed for innocent spouse.
    via u/Various-Buy8848
  • 25
    My therapist wrote a letter I included with the filing stating I was kept in the dark, he manipulated all our finances and forced me to sign the tax return when he finally did file.
    via u/Various-Buy8848

Tags

marriage drama toxic taxes wife relationships husband child support lol love family reddit thread Reddit funny money dating
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