Is Alimony subject to Income Tax

Re your first query, I feel that it is a capital receipt and not subject to tax.  It is just a compensation awarded by the court like it does for deficiency of service in case of service providers or businesses.  I have not heard of anyone being asked to pay tax on that. 

Your second query is similar.  Instead of cash, it is in kind and hence no tax except when some income is sought to be earned from it by way of rent or capital gains.

All these, I assume are cases where the settlement is as per court orders.  On the other hand, if it is a mutual settlement without court orders, then it may be treated as gift under Sec 56.  In such cases, it is better to go for these transactions before legally seperating so that the "gift" clause is not attracted.