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New York Child Support Calculator (2026)
This new york child support calculator estimates guideline child support for 2026 from combined parental income.
Estimate guideline child support in New York. Enter both parents’ gross annual incomes and the number of children — the calculator applies the Child Support Standards Act percentage to combined income up to the $193,000 cap (March 1, 2026) and splits it pro rata. Estimate only — not legal advice.
Estimate New York Guideline Child Support
New York uses both parents’ incomes: support is a percentage of the combined total, and the paying parent owes their income share of it.
Combined parental income
Income the formula uses (after $193,000 cap)
CSSA percentage
Total basic support obligation (per year)
Paying parent’s income share
Estimated child support per year
Estimated child support per month
How New York Child Support Is Calculated
New York uses an income-shares model under the Child Support Standards Act (CSSA) — Family Court Act §413 and Domestic Relations Law §240(1-b). Unlike Texas, both parents’ incomes go into the formula:
- Step 1 — Combine: add both parents’ gross incomes (in a real case the court first subtracts items such as FICA taxes actually paid and New York City or Yonkers income tax to get CSSA income).
- Step 2 — Apply the percentage: 17% for 1 child, 25% for 2, 29% for 3, 31% for 4, and no less than 35% for 5 or more. That gives the basic support obligation — the total both parents owe the children together.
- Step 3 — Split pro rata: the paying (noncustodial) parent pays the share of the basic obligation equal to their share of the combined income. The custodial parent’s share is treated as spent directly on the children.
- The cap: the percentages apply automatically only to combined income up to $193,000 (effective March 1, 2026; it was $183,000 before). For income above the cap, the court decides whether to apply the percentages, using the statutory paragraph (f) factors — nothing above the cap is automatic.
- Add-ons come on top: the paying parent also owes their pro-rata share of mandatory add-on expenses — the children’s health insurance, necessary childcare, and unreimbursed medical costs. Those are not included in this estimate.
- Until 21: New York parents are responsible for support until the child turns 21 — longer than most states.
Combined parental income = paying parent income + other parent income
Basic obligation = CSSA % × min(combined income, $193,000)
Paying parent’s support = basic obligation × (paying parent income ÷ combined income)
Basic obligation = CSSA % × min(combined income, $193,000)
Paying parent’s support = basic obligation × (paying parent income ÷ combined income)
Worked Example: $60,000 and $40,000 Parents, 2 Children
| Step | Calculation | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Combined parental income | $60,000 + $40,000 | $100,000 |
| Cap check | $100,000 is under $193,000 | Full amount used |
| CSSA percentage (2 children) | §413(1)(c) | 25% |
| Basic support obligation | 25% × $100,000 | $25,000 / year |
| Paying parent’s income share | $60,000 ÷ $100,000 | 60% |
| Paying parent’s support | 60% × $25,000 | $15,000 / year = $1,250 / month |
CSSA Percentages and the Obligation at the Cap
| Children | CSSA % of combined income | Total basic obligation at the $193,000 cap |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 17% | $32,810 / year |
| 2 | 25% | $48,250 / year |
| 3 | 29% | $55,970 / year |
| 4 | 31% | $59,830 / year |
| 5 or more | No less than 35% | No less than $67,550 / year |
The cap figures are the total obligation for both parents combined, before the pro-rata split — the paying parent owes only their income share of it through the formula.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Child Support Standards Act sets 17% of combined parental income for 1 child, 25% for 2, 29% for 3, 31% for 4, and no less than 35% for 5 or more. That total is then split between the parents in proportion to their incomes, and the noncustodial parent pays their share.
$193,000 of combined parental income, effective March 1, 2026 (up from $183,000). The percentages are automatic up to the cap. Above it, the court chooses whether to apply the same percentages, weighing factors like the child’s standard of living and each parent’s resources under Family Court Act §413(1)(f).
Yes — that is the biggest difference from states like Texas. New York combines both parents’ incomes before applying the percentage. The more the custodial parent earns relative to the paying parent, the smaller the paying parent’s pro-rata share of the basic obligation.
The mandatory add-ons: the paying parent’s pro-rata share of the children’s health insurance premiums, childcare needed for the custodial parent to work, and unreimbursed medical expenses. A real case also adjusts gross income first (FICA, New York City or Yonkers tax, maintenance, and support paid for other children are deducted), and a self-support reserve can reduce support for very low earners.
Until the child turns 21, unless the child becomes emancipated earlier (for example by marrying, entering military service, or becoming self-supporting). New York’s age 21 is higher than the age 18 used in most states.
Yes. If a court finds a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, it can impute income based on earning capacity — past earnings, education, and local job conditions — and calculate support on that higher figure instead of the reported income.
Disclaimer: This calculator gives a rough estimate only and is not legal advice. It applies the CSSA percentages to the gross incomes entered and does not perform the statutory income deductions (FICA, New York City/Yonkers tax, maintenance, other support orders), the self-support reserve, add-on expenses, or above-cap findings. For a binding figure, complete the official New York child support worksheet or consult a New York family law attorney.
