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Texas Child Support Calculator (2026)
This texas child support calculator estimates guideline child support for 2026 from net resources.
Estimate guideline child support in Texas. Enter the paying parent’s gross monthly income and the number of children — the calculator estimates net resources and applies the statutory percentage, including the $11,700 monthly cap in effect since September 1, 2025. Estimate only — not legal advice.
Estimate Texas Guideline Child Support
Wages, salary, commissions, self-employment and other resources before tax, for the parent who will pay support (the obligor).
Premiums for the children’s court-ordered health and dental coverage are deducted from resources under §154.062. Leave at 0 if none.
Gross annual income
Estimated Social Security + Medicare (FICA)
Estimated federal income tax (single filer)
Estimated monthly net resources
Net resources used (after $11,700 cap)
Guideline percentage applied
Estimated child support per month
Estimated child support per year
How Texas Child Support Is Calculated
Texas does not split the parents’ combined income. Under Texas Family Code Chapter 154, guideline child support is a straight percentage of the paying parent’s (obligor’s) monthly net resources only. The custodial parent’s income is not part of the guideline formula.
- Net resources (§154.062): all income from wages, salary, self-employment, bonuses, rental income, benefits and more, minus Social Security taxes, federal income tax computed as a single filer, state income tax (Texas has none), union dues, and the premiums the obligor pays for the children’s health and dental insurance.
- Guideline percentages (§154.125(b)): 20% for 1 child, 25% for 2, 30% for 3, 35% for 4, 40% for 5, and no less than the 5-child amount for 6 or more.
- The cap: the percentages apply only to the first $11,700 of monthly net resources (effective September 1, 2025; it was $9,200 before). On income above the cap, a court may order more only based on the child’s proven needs (§154.126).
- Low-income schedule (§154.125(c)): if monthly net resources are under $1,000, a reduced schedule applies: 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35% for 1–5 children.
- Children in other households: if the obligor also supports children in another household, §154.129 reduces the percentages. This calculator does not apply that adjustment.
This tool estimates net resources from gross wages using 2026 federal brackets and FICA rates. Real net-resources findings use the Attorney General’s tax charts and can differ — treat the result as a planning estimate, not a court figure.
Estimated annual net = gross annual income − FICA − federal income tax (single) − children’s health/dental premiums
Monthly net resources = annual net ÷ 12
Guideline support = guideline % × min(monthly net resources, $11,700)
Monthly net resources = annual net ÷ 12
Guideline support = guideline % × min(monthly net resources, $11,700)
Worked Example: $6,500 Gross per Month, 2 Children
| Step | Calculation | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Gross annual income | $6,500 × 12 | $78,000 |
| Social Security + Medicare | 6.2% + 1.45% of $78,000 | $5,967.00 |
| Federal income tax (single, $16,100 standard deduction) | 2026 brackets on $61,900 | $8,330.00 |
| Annual net resources | $78,000 − $5,967 − $8,330 | $63,703.00 |
| Monthly net resources | $63,703 ÷ 12 | $5,308.58 |
| 2-child guideline percentage | §154.125(b) | 25% |
| Guideline child support | 25% × $5,308.58 | $1,327.15 / month |
Texas Guideline Percentages and Maximum Amounts
| Children | Guideline % | Max guideline support (at the $11,700 cap) | Low-income % (net under $1,000/mo) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 20% | $2,340 | 15% |
| 2 | 25% | $2,925 | 20% |
| 3 | 30% | $3,510 | 25% |
| 4 | 35% | $4,095 | 30% |
| 5 | 40% | $4,680 | 35% |
| 6+ | Not less than 40% | Not less than $4,680 | Not less than 35% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Guideline support is capped because the percentages apply only to the first $11,700 of monthly net resources (since September 1, 2025). The maximum guideline amounts are $2,340 a month for 1 child, $2,925 for 2, $3,510 for 3, $4,095 for 4, and $4,680 for 5 or more. A court can order more than that only if the child’s proven needs justify it.
No. Texas guideline support is based only on the paying parent’s net resources. The receiving parent’s income is not in the formula, and the resources of a new spouse are excluded by statute (§154.069). The other parent’s income can matter only if a court is asked to deviate from the guidelines.
Almost everything the paying parent receives: wages, salary, commissions, overtime, bonuses, self-employment income, rental income, retirement and disability benefits, and more. From that total, the court subtracts Social Security taxes, federal income tax figured as a single filer, state income tax, union dues, and the cost of the children’s health and dental insurance (§154.062).
Yes. The cap on monthly net resources rose from $9,200 to $11,700 on September 1, 2025. The Attorney General adjusts it every six years for inflation under §154.125(a-1), and published the $11,700 figure in the Texas Register. Orders entered before that date do not change automatically — a modification has to be filed.
Texas reduces the guideline percentages when the obligor has a legal duty to support children in more than one household (§154.129). For example, with one child in each of two households, the percentage for each case drops from 20% to 17.5%. This calculator assumes all the children are in one case, so your court figure would be lower if the multi-family adjustment applies.
Yes. The guideline is presumptive, not absolute. Under §154.123 a court can deviate based on factors such as the child’s age and needs, the amount of possession time, childcare costs, and either parent’s earning ability. Deviations are the exception — most orders follow the guideline.
Disclaimer: This calculator gives a rough estimate only and is not legal advice. It simplifies the Texas net-resources calculation (estimated payroll and federal income tax, single filer) and does not apply the multi-family adjustment, medical support orders, retroactive support, or court deviations. For a binding figure, use the Texas Attorney General’s official calculator or consult a Texas family law attorney.
