Tax on maintenance payments

[bunchofkeys]

If one has to make maintenance payments to their ex, for their child (global maintenance), by order of the court.
What are the tax implications of this?

About 35% of my net income now goes out as maintenance, does HMRC now see that i "earn" 35% less than before and thus i'm taxed less?

[bunchofkeys]

randlemarcus said:

No. But its fine, because they arent taxable income for the recipient, so you're paying her income tax as well. Good, innit?

What the ass!!??
So that's "tax free" income to them?!

[bunchofkeys]

Talk about rubbing salt into a wound.

Thank you all for the info.