Is There A Federal Income Tax Credit For One Paying Child Support?

No and the law needs to change for responsible non custodial parents.  Sign petition to allow for tax credits for those paying child support. www.gopetition.com

Actually the custodial parent does not always pay the most for the child.  I'm a non-custodial parent who, after a miserable, long court proceeding (cost me over $40,000 in legal fees) my ex basically stole custody of my daughter.  I was a single mom for the first three years of her life and got myself through college.  Now, I have a masters degree and can barely afford rent because I have to give my ex so much in child support!  (I pay $150 a week).  I have $89,000 in student loans because I was paying for day care, diapers, etc. While I was in college.  At least my daughter finally has her own room when she comes over (we had to share a room with bunk beds up until she was 10!) 
Not only do I pay him a small fortune, but I have to buy my daughter clothes because he refuses to pack her clothes when she comes to my apartment (then she wears them to his house and I have to buy more clothes).  I buy her cleats, etc. For extracurricular activities because he makes her wear things that are too small.  He owns a home, goes on vacations (sometimes without my daughter!), big screen TVs, etc.  Other than camping, I've never taken my daughter on a real vacation.     
I understand that every American is in a different situation, but the child support laws need to be reformed.  It's ridiculous that my ex can work under the table, get the earned income tax credit plus $8,400 tax free, while I end up paying $3000 in taxes and can barely afford to have my daughter on the weekends! 
Child support should be treated like alimony or else the taxes be split according to the joint income formula. 
One parent shouldn't be made destitute.  The child should enjoy the same standard of living no matter what home they are in.

If I ever got divorced I would pay my ex-husband money to let me keep my children for most of the time. I don't see how I could not see my children everyday and also have to shell out money. With that said, I feel as if non-custodial parents are not being treated fairly. They have to provide support 1 1/2 times for their children and the custodial parent has to only provide 1/2 the time for their children b/c they get the other 1/2 from the other parent. Non-custodial parents have to also provide food, shelter, clothing etc. For when the child is in their care. Unless they let the child go hungry, naked, and sleep on the floor. So, I feel that divorced or separated parents should split the child tax credits. It is a credit for having children. Let's suppose an ex-husband pays child support for 4 kids to his ex-wife. And then, he is not able to claim his OWN children for any tax credits. They ARE his kids. Why does the government get to decide that he has no children? Nowhere on his tax return is it going to show that he is supporting 4 kids. So, he pays taxes for all the money he makes because he only gets to claim himself!

Child support payments are not tax deductible (US tax system). However, the recipient doesn't pay tax on them, either. So the Feds (possible State revenue too) get their tax, but only once.

Doing it this way makes it easier for IRS to keep track, since most people get tax taken out of their earned pay.

You might be able to convince the recipient to consider taking less child support, splitting the difference on the tax paid, maybe but unlikely!

I think you must be same person who wondered if you could claim a "non custodial" (non-resident) child as a deduction/dependent. No, you can't. That benefit falls to the custodial parent.

Again, you might be able to work out a way (talking to your ex) of splitting the difference/persuading the custodial parent that they have an unfair tax advantage... but not likely. Child support payments are normally worked out with these tax advantages (to the custodial parent) in mind.

From June 2007 until Jan 2008 my child was in my custody ( Mother). Previously the father was the custodial parent.  However, Oct 2006 he signed a notarized statement giving the child to  was given back to father October 2006.  Child returned to mother  June 2007 until Jan 2008.  Currently I am now being for child support.

On Feb 13,2008 I was to pay 50.00 a month. He disagreed and wants the case in front of  a master to be held April 21.  Am I to pay the  50.00?  I have been paying various expenses for the child with  received a letter that I am now to send the money to Harrisburg.