Texas Child Support Calculator

> **Based on Texas guidelines effective September 1, 2025. Laws change — verify with the current

> Texas Family Code before relying on this information.** # Texas Child Support — Frequently Asked Questions --- ### How is child support calculated in Texas? Texas uses a **percentage-of-income** model, which means the calculation is based only on the paying parent's income — not a comparison of both parents' finances. The court takes the paying parent's gross monthly income, subtracts taxes (Social Security, Medicare, and federal income tax) and any children's health insurance premiums, and arrives at "net monthly resources." That number is then multiplied by a percentage set in the Texas Family Code: 20% for one child, 25% for two, 30% for three, 35% for four, and 40% for five or more. For advice on how this applies to your situation, consult a family law attorney. --- ### What income counts as "gross income" in Texas? Almost everything counts: wages, salary, bonuses, tips, overtime, commissions, self-employment income, rental income, interest, dividends, pension payments, Social Security benefits, unemployment, disability, alimony received, and even gifts and prizes. A few things are excluded — your new spouse's income, SSI, and public assistance are not included. Courts can also assign income you're capable of earning if they believe you are voluntarily underemployed. For advice specific to your income situation, consult a family law attorney. --- ### How does parenting time affect child support in Texas? Unlike many states, **Texas does not have an automatic formula** that reduces child support based on overnight counts. Even if you have the children exactly half the time, the guideline calculation produces the same number as if you had them 0% of the time. A court *can* deviate from the guideline amount and grant a reduction for equal or substantial parenting time, but that requires asking for a deviation under TFC §154.123 and convincing a judge it is in the children's best interests. It is not automatic. For help requesting a parenting time deviation, consult a family law attorney. --- ### Is there a minimum or maximum amount? **Minimum:** Yes. For zero-income obligors, Texas courts apply a flat minimum under TFC §154.125: $200/month for one child, $250 for two, and so on up to $450/month for six or more children. The OAG online tool does not reflect this minimum, but it is enforceable by a court. **Maximum (cap):** Yes. Guidelines only apply to the first **$11,700/month** in net monthly resources (raised from $9,200 effective September 1, 2025). Above that cap, a judge may — but is not required to — order additional support based on the children's proven needs. For advice on minimum or above-cap amounts in your case, consult a family law attorney. --- ### Does it matter if I am self-employed? Yes — significantly. Self-employed parents pay both the employer and employee shares of Social Security and Medicare taxes, which reduces their net resources more than a W-2 employee at the same gross income. Texas uses the IRS "92.35% rule": your SE tax is calculated on 92.35% of your gross income, and half of the resulting SE tax is also deducted from your federal taxable income. This means your calculated net resources — and therefore your child support — will be lower than a salaried employee earning the same amount. Courts also tend to scrutinize self-employment income closely to ensure it is not understated. Consult a family law attorney for advice on documenting and presenting self-employment income. --- ### What are "add-ons" and how are they handled? Texas guidelines produce a **base support** amount. On top of that, courts separately order: - **Health and dental insurance** for the children — the cost is deducted from the paying parent's net resources before the percentage is applied, effectively reducing the base support obligation by that amount. - **Childcare costs** — handled separately by court order, not included in the guideline formula. - **Unreimbursed medical expenses** — also handled by separate order; courts typically split them in proportion to the parties' incomes. - **Educational and extracurricular expenses** — only if ordered by a judge as a deviation. For advice on negotiating or contesting add-on amounts, consult a family law attorney. --- ### Can child support be modified? Yes. Under TFC §156.401, you can request a modification if: 1. There has been a **material and substantial change** in circumstances since the last order (such as a significant income change, job loss, or change in the child's needs); **or** 2. It has been at least **three years** since the last order was set and the guideline amount would differ from your current order by 20% or $100/month, whichever is less. Texas also provides a streamlined process when income has changed by more than 20% or $100/month, but you still have to file with the court. Support does not change automatically. For advice on whether you qualify for a modification, consult a family law attorney. --- ### When does child support end in Texas? Under a law that took effect September 1, 2025 (HB 116), child support continues until the child turns **18 or graduates from high school, whichever is later**. If your child turns 18 in the middle of a school year, support continues through graduation. There are two exceptions that can extend support beyond that: - A child with a **disability or special needs** — a court may order indefinite support under TFC §154.302 if the child cannot support themselves. - Any other terms specifically ordered by a judge. For advice on support duration in your case, consult a family law attorney. --- ### What if my income is very low or I have no income? If your net monthly resources fall **below $1,000/month**, Texas applies reduced percentage guidelines under TFC §154.125(c). The court may also apply a flat minimum order — $200/month for one child — even if your net resources are zero. Being unemployed or low-income does not eliminate the obligation. Courts can impute income based on your earning capacity and work history, and arrears accumulate if you don't pay. If your income has genuinely decreased substantially, a modification may reduce future payments, but it does not eliminate past-due amounts. For advice on low-income provisions or how to request a modification, consult a family law attorney. --- ### What if the other parent has children from other relationships? If the paying parent already has a child support order for children from a different relationship, the **Multiple Family Adjusted Guidelines** under TFC §154.129 apply. This replaces the standard percentage with a lower one from a statutory matrix table. For example, if the paying parent has one prior child and two children in the current case, the percentage drops from 25% to 22.50%. The OAG's own online calculator does not apply this reduction — it always shows the standard percentage. Our calculator applies the statute-correct matrix percentage when prior children are entered. For advice on how multiple families affect your specific order, consult a family law attorney.