New York Child Support Calculator – Accurate & Easy to Use

What Is the New York Child Support Calculator?

The New York Child Support Calculator is an online tool that helps parents estimate their monthly child support payments under New York State law.

It’s based on the Child Support Standards Act (CSSA), which sets clear formulas to ensure that both parents contribute fairly to their child’s needs — like housing, food, clothing, healthcare, and education.

The calculator isn’t a legal order, but it gives a solid estimate of what a court might decide.

How Child Support Is Calculated in New York

New York uses a percentage-based formula applied to the parents’ combined income.
Here’s the basic breakdown under the CSSA:

• 1 child: 17% of combined parental income
• 2 children: 25%
• 3 children: 29%
• 4 children: 31%
• 5 or more: No less than 35%

This percentage is applied to the combined parental income up to a certain cap — which is adjusted periodically by the state (as of recent updates, around $163,000). Courts can also consider income above that cap if it seems fair and reasonable.

Step-by-Step: How the Calculator Works

Let’s break down how the New York Child Support Calculator determines the amount.

1. Determine Each Parent’s Income

Both parents list their gross annual income — including wages, bonuses, self-employment earnings, and most other income sources.

2. Subtract Allowable Deductions

Certain deductions are subtracted from income, such as:

• FICA taxes (Social Security and Medicare)
• NYC or Yonkers local taxes
• Existing child support or alimony payments

3. Combine the Adjusted Incomes

Add both parents’ adjusted incomes together to find the combined parental income.

4. Apply the CSSA Percentage

Multiply that total by the CSSA percentage based on the number of children.
That gives you the total annual child support obligation.

5. Divide Based on Each Parent’s Share of Income

Finally, each parent’s share of the obligation is based on their proportion of total income.
For example, if one parent earns 70% of the combined income, they’re responsible for 70% of the child support amount.

Example: One Child, Two Working Parents

Let’s say:

• Parent A earns $60,000 a year.
• Parent B earns $40,000 a year.
• Combined income = $100,000.
• One child = 17% rate.

Total support = $100,000 × 17% = $17,000 per year.

Parent A’s share = 60% of $17,000 = $10,200.
Parent B’s share = 40% of $17,000 = $6,800.

If Parent A is the noncustodial parent, they would likely pay $10,200 annually (around $850 per month) in support.

What the Calculator Doesn’t Include

The New York Child Support Calculator gives an estimate, but it doesn’t automatically include:

• Childcare costs (daycare, after-school programs)
• Health insurance premiums
• Unreimbursed medical expenses
• Education or extracurricular costs

Courts may add these on top of the basic support amount, depending on each parent’s financial situation.

Why Accuracy Matters

Even small errors — like forgetting a deduction or misreporting income — can change the result significantly.
For this reason, it’s wise to:

• Use the official calculator or one linked directly from a New York government site
• Review your inputs carefully
• Consult with a family law attorney before relying on the estimate

The calculator gives a baseline, but judges can adjust the final amount based on real-life factors, such as:

• A child’s special needs
• The custodial parent’s financial burden
• Extreme differences in income
• Shared custody arrangements

Where to Find the Official Calculator

You can access the official New York Child Support Calculator through the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) website.

It’s free, user-friendly, and updated regularly to match state guidelines.

Official link: New York Child Support Calculator – OTDA
(Always verify you’re using the most recent version.)

Tips for Using the Calculator Effectively

• Gather your pay stubs, tax returns, and benefit statements before you begin.
• Enter gross income, not take-home pay.
• Include all eligible deductions.
• If you have shared custody, note that courts may modify the amount.
• Recalculate if your income changes significantly.