Texas Child Support Calculator
Estimate Texas child support for 2026 using the Percentage of Net Resources guideline model under Tex. Fam. Code §§ 154.061-154.130. Enter both parents' incomes and the parenting-time split to see what you may owe or receive.
Texas applies fixed percentages of the obligor's monthly net resources, 20% for one child, 25% for two, 30% for three, 35% for four, and 40% for five or more, capped at a statutory net resources ceiling that is adjusted periodically. Net resources start with gross income from all sources and are reduced by Social Security and federal income taxes calculated on a single person's tax liability, union dues, mandatory retirement, and the cost of health insurance for the children.
Texas does not use an overnight or shared-time formula the way many states do. The guideline percentage is applied to the paying parent's monthly net resources regardless of how the visitation schedule is split. Parenting time can still matter because a court may treat it as a deviation factor under Tex. Fam. Code §§ 154.061-154.130, but the percentage guideline is presumed reasonable, so extra time with the child does not automatically lower the number.
The cost of health insurance the paying parent provides for the children is built directly into the Texas calculation. When figuring net resources, that premium is subtracted from gross income before the guideline percentage is applied, which lowers the base used for support. The court orders one parent to carry coverage. Because this deduction is part of the formula, it is handled inside the net resources figure rather than added on top as a separate item.
Texas does not add work-related daycare or child care costs to the guideline number as a routine separate line item the way some states do. The percentage of net resources is presumptively reasonable on its own. A judge may still consider child care expenses, along with extra-curricular activities, as a possible deviation factor under the Family Code, but day care is not automatically split or tacked on to the guideline amount.
Under Tex. Fam. Code §§ 154.061-154.130, the guideline percentage is presumed to be reasonable and in the child's best interest. A judge may order a different amount when the evidence shows the guideline result would be unjust or inappropriate, weighing factors like the child's needs, parenting time, other dependents, and extra-curricular costs. The parent who wants to move off the guideline carries the burden of proving the deviation is justified.
Frequently asked questions
How is child support calculated in Texas?
Texas uses a Percentage of Net Resources model under Tex. Fam. Code §§ 154.061-154.130. The court first finds the paying parent's monthly net resources, then applies a fixed percentage based on the number of children: a set percentage for one child that rises with each additional child. Net resources start with gross income from nearly every source and subtract federal income tax figured for a single person, Social Security taxes, union dues, and the cost of the children's health insurance. There is also a statutory cap on the net resources used. The calculator on this page is an estimate only. The Texas Office of the Attorney General worksheet and a licensed attorney control the actual number.
Is there an official Texas child support worksheet or calculator I should use?
Yes. The Texas Office of the Attorney General, Child Support Division, publishes the official monthly child support calculator, and it is the controlling tool for figuring net resources and the guideline amount. You can find it through the agency at texasattorneygeneral.gov/child-support. The estimate shown on this page is meant to give you a quick ballpark using the same Percentage of Net Resources approach, but it is not legal advice. Before you rely on a figure for a hearing or agreement, run the official OAG calculator and have a Texas family law attorney confirm the inputs, especially your deductions and the net resources cap.
What income counts as net resources for Texas child support?
Texas casts a wide net. Net resources include all wage and salary income, self-employment income, severance pay, retirement and pension income, trust income, annuities, capital gains, unemployment benefits, disability, workers' compensation, and rental income. From that total the court subtracts federal income tax calculated for a single person with one exemption, Social Security taxes, any state income tax, union dues, and the children's health insurance premiums. The result is the monthly net resources figure that the guideline percentage is applied to. Because the income side is so broad, parents who are self-employed or have multiple income streams should document everything carefully so the OAG calculation is accurate.
How are bonuses, overtime, and self-employment income treated in Texas?
All of it generally counts toward net resources in Texas. The statute pulls in 100% of wage and salary income, which includes overtime and bonuses, as well as self-employment income, commissions, and similar earnings. For self-employed parents, the court looks at income after legitimate business expenses, not gross receipts, so good records matter. Irregular or seasonal earnings can make the monthly figure harder to pin down, and a judge has discretion in how to average them. The OAG calculator is built around these rules, so use it rather than the estimate here when bonus or self-employment income makes up a meaningful share of your earnings.
Can a Texas judge order a different amount than the guideline percentage?
Yes, but not easily. Under Tex. Fam. Code §§ 154.061-154.130 the guideline percentage of net resources is presumed reasonable and in the child's best interest. A judge can deviate when the evidence shows the guideline result would be unjust or inappropriate, considering factors such as the child's special needs, the parenting time arrangement, other children the parent supports, and extra-curricular costs. The parent asking to move away from the guideline carries the burden of proof. Because deviations are the exception, most Texas orders track the percentage closely. The estimate on this page assumes a standard guideline calculation and does not predict a deviation.
When does child support end in Texas?
Texas child support generally continues until the child turns 18 or graduates from high school, whichever comes later. So if a child turns 18 while still in high school, support typically runs through graduation. There is an important exception for an adult child with a disability: under Tex. Fam. Code § 154.302 a court may order support that continues indefinitely for that child. Support does not end automatically just because a birthday passes, and any past-due amounts still owed survive even after the duty to pay current support stops. Check your order's exact wording, since terms can vary case to case.
How do I modify a Texas child support order, and how is it enforced?
You can ask the Texas Office of the Attorney General to review the order or file a petition in district court. Modification is supported when a new guideline calculation differs from the current order by 20% or $100 a month, or when there has been a material and substantial change in circumstances and at least three years have passed. Enforcement in Texas is aggressive: the OAG can use immediate income withholding, tax refund intercepts, license and passport suspension, liens, credit reporting, and contempt referrals that can lead to jail. Past-due support, or arrears, remains collectible. Use the official OAG tools, and consider an attorney for contested cases.