Tennessee Child Support Calculator
Calculate estimated child support using Tennessee's official guidelines
About Tennessee's Guidelines
Income Shares Model
Note: Uses gross income, parenting time adjustment for 92+ days
Key Information
- •Model: Income Shares
- •Income Cap: $21,000/month combined
- •Last Updated: January 15, 2024
Common Deviation Factors
Monthly Income
Children & Custody
Additional Monthly Expenses
Estimates only — not legal advice. Consult a Tennessee family law attorney for official calculations.
Official Tennessee Court Forms
Download official court forms from the Tennessee 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
Parenting Plan
Custody & visitation schedule
These links go to official Tennessee court websites. Forms are free and provided by the state judiciary.
Tennessee Child Support Guidelines
Tennessee uses the Tennessee Child Support Guidelines (Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1240-02-04) 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.
Tennessee has several distinctive features in its child support system. Tennessee uses "parenting days" (not just overnights) — daytime visits count as 0.5 days. The adjustment begins at just 92 days (including half-days), making it accessible to more parents. Tennessee has a variable percentage adjustment: the more parenting time, the higher the credit percentage.
Tennessee 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 Tennessee is $1,200/month, ensuring the paying parent retains enough income to cover basic living expenses.
How Tennessee Calculates Child Support
Tennessee follows a 6-step process under the Tennessee Child Support Guidelines (Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1240-02-04):
- 1
Calculate each parent's gross monthly income from all sources
- 2
Subtract pre-existing support, alimony paid, and credits for other children in the home
- 3
Combine adjusted incomes and find basic support from the Tennessee schedule
- 4
Calculate parenting days (overnights + 0.5 × daytime-only visits)
- 5
If 92+ parenting days: apply the variable percentage credit (sliding scale based on exact days)
- 6
Add proportional shares of health insurance and childcare
Income Thresholds & Key Numbers in Tennessee
Maximum Income Cap
$21,000/mo
Self-Support Reserve
$1,200/mo
Shared Custody Threshold
92 nights/yr
25% of overnights
Income Basis
gross
Sample Obligation Schedule
| Combined Monthly Income | 1 Child | 2 Children | 3 Children |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1,500 | $250 | $362 | $432 |
| $3,000 | $452 | $658 | $798 |
| $5,000 | $660 | $967 | $1,175 |
| $8,000 | $915 | $1,348 | $1,638 |
| $12,000 | $1,188 | $1,755 | $2,135 |
| $20,000 | $1,595 | $2,358 | $2,872 |
* Simplified schedule. Actual amounts may vary based on additional factors.
Custody Time Adjustments in Tennessee
Tennessee recognizes "Parenting Days Adjustment" when the non-custodial parent has the children for at least 92 overnights per year (approximately 25% 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 Tennessee'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 92 overnights, Tennessee 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 Tennessee Child Support
How does Tennessee count parenting time?
What is the income cap in Tennessee?
How to Reduce Child Support Costs in Tennessee
While child support is determined by Tennessee's guidelines, there are legitimate ways to ensure your obligation is calculated fairly.
Increase Parenting Time
In Tennessee, 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
Tennessee 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 Tennessee
Calculation Model
Income Shares
Guidelines Source
State Statute
Review Frequency
Every 4 Years
Income Cap
$21,000/mo
Last Updated
January 15, 2024
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