New York Child Support Calculator 2026
Estimate New York child support under the Child Support Standards Act. Enter both parents' gross monthly incomes and the number of children; the calculator applies the percentage to combined income up to the $193,000 cap, the pro rata share, the low-income rules and add-ons. Calculated privately in your browser.
Estimate only — the court or the child support agency sets the order. Official source: New York Child Support Standards Chart (LDSS-4515).
New York's Child Support Standards Act multiplies the parents' combined income, up to a cap of $193,000 from March 1, 2026, by 17% for one child, 25% for two, 29% for three, 31% for four and at least 35% for five or more. The paying parent owes a pro rata share of that amount, plus a share of childcare and health insurance. This calculator applies those steps and the low-income rules.
How New York Child Support Is Calculated
Income is gross income less the deductions the Act allows, which include Social Security and Medicare (FICA) tax actually paid and New York City or Yonkers income tax. Add both parents' incomes, apply the percentage to combined income up to the cap, and multiply by the paying parent's share of combined income (Family Court Act section 413). Above the cap the law permits, but does not require, the court to use the same percentage.
| Children | Share of combined parental income | Basic obligation at the $193,000 cap |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 17% | $32,810 a year |
| 2 | 25% | $48,250 a year |
| 3 | 29% | $55,970 a year |
| 4 | 31% | $59,830 a year |
| 5 or more | no less than 35% | $67,550 a year |
Two low-income rules protect the paying parent. If the basic obligation would leave income below the 2026 poverty guideline of $15,960, it is set at $25 a month. If it would leave income below the self-support reserve of $21,546 (135% of the poverty guideline), it is the greater of $50 a month or income minus the reserve.
Worked Example: New York CSSA
Parents earning $5,000 and $3,000 a month gross have $55,410.00 and $33,246.00 a year after Social Security and Medicare tax, a combined $88,656.00. For two children the basic obligation is 25% of that, and the paying parent's share is 62.5%, giving $13,852.50 a year or $1,154.38 a month before add-ons.
Childcare, Health Insurance and Parenting Time in New York
Reasonable childcare costs for work or training are divided in the same proportion as each parent's income is to combined income and added to the basic obligation. The cost of the children's health insurance is divided the same way: the paying parent's share is added when the custodial parent provides the cover, and the custodial parent's share is deducted when the paying parent provides it. The Act has no formula for overnights; this page makes no parenting-time adjustment.
Estimate Only: Who Sets the New York Order
This page gives an estimate only — the court or the state child support agency sets the order, and either can depart from the guideline where the law allows. Before relying on any figure, check the amount against the New York Child Support Standards Chart (LDSS-4515). The governing text is New York Family Court Act section 413.
If your income, the parenting schedule or the children's needs change, ask the court or the agency to review the order, and keep paying the ordered amount until it is changed. Last updated: October 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is child support calculated in New York?
New York multiplies the parents' combined income by 17% for one child, 25% for two, 29% for three, 31% for four and at least 35% for five or more. The paying parent owes a pro rata share based on their part of combined income, plus a share of childcare and health insurance costs (Family Court Act section 413).
What is the New York child support income cap in 2026?
From March 1, 2026 the combined parental income cap is $193,000, up from $183,000. The percentages must be applied to combined income up to the cap. Above it, the court may apply the same percentage or decide the amount using the factors in the statute.
What is the self-support reserve in New York?
The self-support reserve is 135% of the federal poverty guideline for one person: $21,546 for 2026. If the basic obligation would leave the paying parent below the reserve, it is the greater of $50 a month or income minus the reserve. If it would leave them below the poverty guideline of $15,960, it is $25 a month.
How are childcare and health insurance split in New York?
Both are divided in the same proportion as each parent's income is to combined parental income. The paying parent's share of childcare, and of health insurance provided by the custodial parent, is added to the basic obligation. If the paying parent provides the insurance, the custodial parent's share is deducted.
Is this the amount a New York court will order?
No. It is an estimate. The court sets the order and can depart from the basic obligation if it finds the result unjust or inappropriate under the statutory factors. This calculator deducts Social Security and Medicare tax only and does not adjust for parenting time.