Child Support Calculator

Child support is calculated using state-specific guidelines that courts must follow. Two primary models exist. The Income Shares Model (used by ~40 states) considers both parents' incomes, based on the idea that children should receive the same share of income they would have if the family stayed together. The Percentage of Income Model (Texas, Wisconsin, Alaska, others) applies a fixed percentage to the non-custodial parent's income only — 20% for one child in Texas, for example.

In addition to the base amount, most states require both parents to share proportionally in the children's health insurance premiums and work-related childcare costs.

Income for child support is broader than W-2 wages. Most states include: gross wages, self-employment income, overtime, bonuses, tips, rental income, investment income, retirement benefits, Social Security, workers' compensation, and unemployment.

Courts can also impute income to a parent who is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, based on their education, work history, and earning capacity. Some states use gross income; others use net income after taxes and mandatory deductions.

Shared custody typically reduces the non-custodial parent's obligation because they are directly providing for the children during their parenting time. Most states begin applying reductions at 20% overnight time (~73 nights/year). At 40% (146+ nights), significant reductions often apply.

Pure 50/50 arrangements may result in support based only on the income gap, or no order at all if incomes are equal. The specific reduction formula varies by state — some use straight percentage reductions, others use a cross-credit offset method.

Yes — when there has been a substantial change in circumstances. Common grounds include: a significant income change (typically 10–20%), a custody change, changes in healthcare or childcare needs, a child reaching emancipation, or a parent becoming incarcerated.

You must file a motion with the court. You cannot reduce payments unilaterally — doing so creates arrears and can trigger wage garnishment, license suspension, or contempt of court charges.

Non-payment has serious consequences. Enforcement tools include: automatic wage garnishment, seizure of tax refunds and bank accounts, property liens, suspension of driver's and professional licenses, passport denial, credit reporting, and criminal prosecution.

Under the Deadbeat Parents Punishment Act, failure to pay support for a child in another state can result in federal felony charges if arrears exceed $10,000 or remain unpaid for over 2 years.

Most states require support until age 18, though many extend to 19 or high school graduation. Some states (New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey) extend to age 21 or longer. Children with disabilities may receive support indefinitely.

College support obligations vary — some states allow courts to order contributions; others do not. Any unpaid arrears remain collectable after the child turns 18, with no statute of limitations in most states.

No — child support is neither tax-deductible for the payer nor taxable income for the recipient. This has been the rule since 1985. Post-2018 alimony follows the same treatment.

The custodial parent (by IRS definition) typically has the right to claim the children as dependents for the Child Tax Credit and other benefits — though this right can be transferred by written agreement.