New York Child Support Calculator

Estimate New York child support for 2026 using the Income Shares (Child Support Standards Act) guideline model under NY Dom. Rel. Law § 240(1-b); NY Fam. Ct. Act § 413. Enter both parents' incomes and the parenting-time split to see what you may owe or receive.

New York's Child Support Standards Act (CSSA) applies fixed percentages, 17% for one child, 25% for two, 29% for three, 31% for four, and at least 35% for five or more, to combined parental income up to a statutory cap (adjusted biennially), then prorates the resulting amount between the parents according to each parent's share of combined income.

New York does not use an automatic overnight credit the way many states do. Under the Child Support Standards Act, the parent with fewer overnights is usually treated as the payer, and the percentage applies to combined income regardless of a modest difference in time. Parenting time can still matter as a deviation factor, so a judge may adjust the number when the schedule is close to equal or unusual. This calculator gives an estimate only, and the official CSSA worksheet and a judge control the final amount.

In New York, the cost of the child's health insurance premium is treated as an add-on on top of the basic support obligation. The premium is prorated between the parents based on each parent's share of combined parental income, the same shares used for the base award. The parent who carries the coverage typically receives credit for their portion. This page estimates these add-ons, but the official CSSA worksheet and the court set the controlling figures.

Reasonable child care costs that a custodial parent pays so they can work, look for work, or attend training or education leading to employment are an add-on in New York. Like health insurance, these costs are prorated between the parents according to each parent's percentage share of combined parental income, not split evenly. The amounts must be actual and reasonable. Our calculator can fold in estimated child care, but the CSSA worksheet and the judge decide what is included.

New York presumes the Child Support Standards Act number is correct, but a court may deviate when applying the guideline would be unjust or inappropriate based on statutory factors such as the children's needs, each parent's resources, parenting time, and extraordinary expenses. The parent asking to move away from the guideline must show why, and the judge must put the reasons in writing. Above the statutory income cap the court also has discretion. This is an estimate, not legal advice, and a licensed New York attorney can advise on deviation.

Frequently asked questions

How is child support calculated in New York?

New York uses the income shares model under the Child Support Standards Act, found at NY Domestic Relations Law section 240(1-b) and Family Court Act section 413. The court combines both parents' gross income up to a statutory cap that adjusts every two years, then applies fixed percentages by number of children, 17% for one, 25% for two, 29% for three, 31% for four, and at least 35% for five or more. That basic obligation is prorated between the parents by each parent's share of combined income. The Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Division of Child Support Services oversees the program. This page gives an estimate, and the official worksheet and court control.

Is there an official New York child support worksheet I have to use?

Yes. New York courts rely on the official Child Support Standards Act worksheet, published as the CSSA form, to calculate the presumptive support amount. The worksheet walks through combining gross income, applying the statutory deductions, applying the percentage for the number of children up to the income cap, and prorating add-ons. It is the controlling form, and a judge will look to it rather than any online estimate. You can find the official worksheet at https://www.childsupport.ny.gov/dcse/pdfs/CSSA.pdf and self-help guidance at https://www.nycourts.gov/courthelp/Family/childSupport.shtml. Use our calculator to get a rough idea, then confirm with the CSSA worksheet or an attorney.

What income counts when figuring New York child support?

New York starts from gross income from almost any source. That includes wages, salaries, commissions, self-employment earnings, severance, pensions, dividends, interest, rental income, Social Security, workers' compensation, and unemployment, among others. The Child Support Standards Act then reduces that figure by FICA, by New York City and Yonkers income taxes where they apply, and by certain Medicare contributions before the percentages are applied. Because self-employment and irregular income can be hard to pin down, courts look closely at tax returns and business records. Our estimate uses the income you enter, but the CSSA worksheet and the court determine the controlling income figure.

Are bonuses, overtime, and self-employment income included in New York?

Generally yes. The Child Support Standards Act defines income broadly, so bonuses, overtime, and commissions usually count as part of gross income, and a court can include them even if they are not perfectly steady. Self-employment income is included after legitimate business deductions, though New York judges may add back personal expenses run through a business or depreciation that does not reflect a real cost. The goal is to capture the parent's actual ability to pay. Because these income types are often disputed, this calculator is only an estimate, and the CSSA worksheet and a New York judge make the final determination.

What happens when combined income is above the New York statutory cap?

The Child Support Standards Act applies its percentages to combined parental income only up to a statutory cap that the state adjusts every two years. For income above that cap, New York gives the court discretion. The judge may apply the same percentages to the excess, may instead weigh the statutory factors such as the children's needs and the parents' resources, or may use a combination of both. Because this part of the law is discretionary, results vary case by case. Treat the number on this page as an estimate only, and rely on the official CSSA worksheet and a licensed New York attorney for high-income cases.

When does child support end in New York?

New York has one of the longest support durations in the country. Child support generally continues until the child turns 21, rather than 18 as in many other states, unless the child becomes emancipated earlier through events the law recognizes. Support can also continue for a disabled adult child in appropriate cases. Because the duration is long, parents should plan for it from the start. This page gives an estimate of the amount, not the end date for your specific facts, so confirm timing and any emancipation questions with the New York self-help resources or a licensed attorney.

Can I change my New York child support order, and how is it enforced?

You can ask to modify a New York order by filing a petition in Family Court or the Supreme Court matrimonial part. New York allows modification on any of three triggers, three years passing since the order, a 15% change in either parent's income, or a substantial change in circumstances. Enforcement is handled by the Division of Child Support Services through tools like immediate income withholding, tax refund intercept, license and passport actions, liens, credit reporting, and contempt that can include incarceration. Our calculator estimates a current number only, and the official CSSA worksheet, the agency, and the court control modification and enforcement.