New York Child Support Calculator
Calculate estimated child support using New York's official guidelines
About New York's Guidelines
Income Shares Model (Child Support Standards Act)
Note: Percentage of combined parental income: 17% (1 child) to 35% (5+ children)
Key Information
- •Model: Income Shares
- •Income Cap: $183,000/month combined
- •Last Updated: January 15, 2024
Common Deviation Factors
Monthly Income
Children & Custody
Additional Monthly Expenses
Estimates only — not legal advice. Consult a New York family law attorney for official calculations.
Official New York Court Forms
Download official court forms from the New York judiciary website. These are free, legally valid forms for your family court case.
Child Support Forms
Official petitions & worksheets
Modification Forms
Request changes to orders
Financial Disclosure
Income & expense statements
Enforcement Forms
Contempt & collection
These links go to official New York court websites. Forms are free and provided by the state judiciary.
New York Child Support Guidelines
New York uses the New York Child Support Standards Act (CSSA) (DRL § 240) to determine child support obligations. Under the Income Shares model, both parents' incomes are combined to estimate what the family would have spent on the child if the household were intact. The obligation is then divided proportionally based on each parent's contribution to combined gross income.
New York has several distinctive features in its child support system. New York uses the CSSA (Child Support Standards Act), which applies fixed percentages to combined parental income up to a very high cap of $163,000/year (per parent). The percentages (17% for 1 child, 25% for 2, etc.) are applied to combined income — then the non-custodial parent pays their pro-rata share. New York is unusual in that "add-on" expenses (childcare, medical, educational) are divided pro-rata ON TOP of the basic percentage.
New York bases calculations on gross income — meaning income before taxes and deductions. This includes wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, self-employment income, and other sources. The self-support reserve in New York is $1,550/month, ensuring the paying parent retains enough income to cover basic living expenses.
How New York Calculates Child Support
New York follows a 7-step process under the New York Child Support Standards Act (CSSA) (DRL § 240):
- 1
Calculate each parent's gross income from all sources
- 2
Subtract FICA (Social Security + Medicare) and NYC tax (if applicable) to get adjusted income
- 3
Combine adjusted incomes. For income up to the cap ($163,000), apply the CSSA percentage (17% for 1 child, 25% for 2, etc.)
- 4
For income above the cap, the court uses discretion or may apply the same percentages
- 5
The non-custodial parent's obligation = their share of combined income × the CSSA amount
- 6
Add pro-rata shares of childcare, unreimbursed medical expenses, and educational expenses
- 7
Apply the self-support reserve: the obligor must retain at least $1,550/month (135% of poverty level)
Income Thresholds & Key Numbers in New York
Maximum Income Cap
$163,000/mo
Self-Support Reserve
$1,550/mo
Federal Poverty Guideline
$1,255/mo
Shared Custody Threshold
128 nights/yr
35% of overnights
Income Basis
gross
Support Percentages by Number of Children
17%
1 child
25%
2 children
29%
3 children
31%
4 children
35%
5 children
Sample Obligation Schedule
| Combined Monthly Income | 1 Child | 2 Children | 3 Children |
|---|---|---|---|
| $3,000 | $510 | $750 | $870 |
| $6,000 | $1,020 | $1,500 | $1,740 |
| $10,000 | $1,700 | $2,500 | $2,900 |
| $15,000 | $2,550 | $3,750 | $4,350 |
| $20,000 | $3,400 | $5,000 | $5,800 |
* Simplified schedule. Actual amounts may vary based on additional factors.
Custody Time Adjustments in New York
New York recognizes "Shared Custody" when the non-custodial parent has the children for at least 128 overnights per year (approximately 35% of the time). When this threshold is met, the standard child support formula is adjusted to reflect the increased direct expenses borne by both parents.
Under New York's Income Shares approach, the shared parenting adjustment typically calculates each parent's obligation based on their income share, then applies a credit or cross-calculation that accounts for the time each parent directly supports the child. The more overnights the non-custodial parent has, the greater the reduction in their payment — but the adjustment is not dollar-for-dollar because fixed costs like housing don't decrease when the child is away.
Below 128 overnights, New York generally treats the arrangement as a sole custody situation with standard visitation, and no custody time adjustment is applied to the child support calculation.
Frequently Asked Questions About New York Child Support
What is the CSSA in New York?
What is the income cap in New York?
How does New York handle high-income cases?
Are add-on expenses separate in New York?
How to Reduce Child Support Costs in New York
While child support is determined by New York's guidelines, there are legitimate ways to ensure your obligation is calculated fairly.
Increase Parenting Time
In New York, more overnights with your children can reduce your support obligation. Document actual time spent and request a formal custody modification if needed.
Ensure Accurate Income Reporting
Both parents' incomes must be reported accurately. Verify that bonuses, overtime, and variable income are averaged correctly over the appropriate period.
Claim All Allowable Deductions
New York allows deductions for items like mandatory retirement contributions, union dues, and health insurance premiums. Make sure all qualifying deductions are included.
Request a Modification When Eligible
If your income has decreased by 15-25% or more, you may qualify for a modification. File promptly — changes are typically not retroactive before the filing date.
Account for Other Children
If you have other children you're legally obligated to support, this can be factored into the calculation as a deduction in most states.
Review Healthcare & Childcare Costs
Ensure shared expenses like health insurance and childcare are divided proportionally. If costs have changed, update the court.
Key Facts About Child Support in New York
Calculation Model
Income Shares
Guidelines Source
State Statute
Review Frequency
Every 4 Years
Income Cap
$183,000/mo
Last Updated
January 15, 2024
Related Family Law Tools
Explore additional calculators and tools for your New York family law case.