The IRS has yet to rule on the tax treatment of relocation payments under the Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives (HAFA) program, and some people in your situation have received a Form 1099-A or C. However, there is a good argument to be made that the payment is tax free. Government payments made to promote the general welfare are not taxed. However, if you use the payment for moving expenses, you can’t exclude the income and take a moving expense deduction. Talk to your tax advisor.
Items directly reducing income. Personal deductions such as for mortgage interest, state and local taxes, and charitable contributions are allowed only if deductions are itemized on Schedule A, but deductions such as for alimony, capital losses, moving expenses to a new job location, business losses, student loan interest, and IRA and Keogh deductions are deducted from gross income even if itemized deductions are not claimed.