New York Child Support Calculator

New York uses the percentage of combined parental income model under the Child Support Standards Act (DRL § 240). Both parents' gross incomes are combined, and a fixed statutory percentage is applied based on the number of children: 17% for one child, 25% for two, 29% for three, 31% for four, and at least 35% for five or more. That combined obligation is then divided proportionally based on each parent's share of the combined income, and the non-custodial parent pays their pro-rata share.

Under the Child Support Standards Act, income includes wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, self-employment income, dividends, interest, rental income, pensions, annuities, Social Security benefits, unemployment benefits, disability benefits, workers' compensation, and many fringe benefits. Certain deductions are then subtracted to reach the income used in the formula: FICA (Social Security and Medicare) taxes, New York City or Yonkers income tax, and maintenance (spousal support) actually paid. This calculator deducts FICA (7.65%) automatically from the gross income you enter; if you pay New York City or Yonkers tax or maintenance, your actual CSSA income will be slightly lower. New York courts may also impute income to a parent who is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed.

Yes. The Child Support Standards Act applies the statutory percentages to combined parental income up to a cap that is adjusted every two years. The cap is $193,000 per year effective March 1, 2026 (it was $183,000 from March 2024 to February 2026). For combined income above the cap, the court has discretion to apply the percentages, consider the statutory factors, or both. This calculator applies the percentages up to the cap so your estimate reflects the standard CSSA formula.

Yes, either parent can petition to modify a child support order. New York allows modification when there has been a substantial change in circumstances, when three years have passed since the order was entered or last modified, or when either parent's gross income has changed by 15% or more. Common reasons include significant income changes, changes in custody or parenting time, changes in childcare or medical costs, or a child aging out of the order.

In New York, child support generally continues until the child turns 21. Support may end earlier if the child becomes emancipated, for example by marrying, joining the military, or becoming self-supporting. Unlike some states, New York's age of support is 21 rather than 18, and college expenses may be addressed separately by agreement or court order.

Yes. Under the Child Support Standards Act, reasonable work-related childcare costs and the cost of providing health insurance for the child are added on top of the basic child support obligation. These add-on expenses are then divided between the parents in proportion to their share of the combined parental income, just as the basic obligation is.

This calculator provides an estimate based on the New York Child Support Standards Act formula. Actual court-ordered support may differ because judges may apply the statutory factors to income above the cap, adjust for the non-custodial parent's resources, or deviate when the formula amount would be unjust or inappropriate. Consult a New York family law attorney for an accurate assessment.