New York Child Support Calculator

How New York Calculates Child Support

New York determines child support using the Child Support Standards Act (CSSA), the standard set out in NY DRL § 240(1-b). Under the CSSA, the parents' incomes are combined and a fixed percentage based on the number of children is applied up to a statutory income cap, with each parent responsible for their proportional share.

The calculator above applies that formula to the income and expense figures you enter and shows each step of the math, so you can see exactly how the estimate is built. Because every order ultimately runs through a judge, the guideline figure is a starting point rather than a guaranteed result — the sections below explain what goes into it and where real orders can differ.

Key Rules Behind the New York Formula

• New York uses the Child Support Standards Act (CSSA), applying set percentages to combined parental income after FICA deductions.
• The income cap is $193,000/year (effective March 1, 2026). Above this cap, the court has discretion to apply the same or a different percentage. The self-support reserve of $21,546/year (135% of the 2026 federal poverty level of $15,960) is consistent with this 2026 figure.
• The income cap is adjusted every two years on March 1 of even-numbered years, based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U). The previous cap was $183,000/year (March 1, 2024 through February 28, 2026).
• FICA (Social Security + Medicare at 7.65%) is deducted from each parent's gross income before combining and applying the CSSA percentage.
• If the non-custodial parent's income after paying support would fall below the self-support reserve ($21,546/year), the court must reduce the order.
• Add-on expenses (childcare, health insurance, unreimbursed medical over $250/year) are split pro-rata between parents on top of the basic obligation.

What Counts as Income

Child support guidelines are built on each parent's income, so the figure you enter matters more than any other input. Most states start from a broad definition of gross income that includes wages, salary, tips, commissions, bonuses, self-employment earnings, and many forms of government benefits, then subtract specific deductions to reach the income the formula actually uses.

New York's rules under NY DRL § 240(1-b) spell out which deductions apply and whether the formula runs on gross or net income. The calculator's field labels tell you which figure to enter; when in doubt, use your most recent pay stubs and tax return, and confirm the details in the New York child support laws guide.

How to Establish a Child Support Order in New York

A child support obligation becomes enforceable only once a court or the state child support agency issues an order. Either parent can request one, and in New York, as in every state, the local child support agency that operates under the federal Title IV-D program can open a case, locate the other parent, establish paternity if needed, and ask the court to set support using the guideline formula.

When you apply, expect to provide proof of income for both parents, the child's information, and details about health insurance and childcare costs — the same inputs this calculator uses. Running your numbers here first gives you a realistic idea of the order amount before you file.

How to Modify a New York Child Support Order

Child support orders are not permanent. New York courts can revisit an order when there has been a substantial change in circumstances — for example, a significant change in either parent's income, a change in custody or parenting time, or a meaningful change in the child's needs. Federal rules also entitle parents in IV-D cases to request a review periodically (often about every three years) even without a major change.

To estimate a new amount, re-run the calculator with the updated figures. If the guideline result is meaningfully different from your current order, that gap is often what supports a modification request — though only a court can actually change the order.

How Child Support Is Enforced in New York

Once an order is in place, New York has strong tools to collect it. The most common is income withholding: federal law requires most new orders to be paid through automatic wage garnishment, so payments are deducted from the paying parent's paycheck. When payments fall behind, enforcement can escalate to intercepting tax refunds, suspending driver's or professional licenses, placing liens on property, reporting the debt to credit bureaus, and, in serious cases, contempt-of-court proceedings.

Interest and penalties can accrue on unpaid support, so an order that goes unaddressed tends to grow rather than disappear. If your circumstances have changed, seeking a modification through the court is almost always better than simply paying less than the order requires.

Disclaimer

This calculator provides estimates only and is not a substitute for legal advice. The actual amount ordered by a New York court may differ based on factors including but not limited to: the special needs of the child, travel expenses for visitation, extraordinary educational or medical expenses, the parents' other support obligations, and the court's discretion to deviate from the guidelines. For advice about your specific situation, consult a licensed New York family law attorney.

← Read the full New York child support laws guide