How Child Support Is Calculated in New York

New York calculates child support using the Child Support Standards Act (CSSA), found at Domestic Relations Law § 240(1–b). The CSSA establishes a guideline formula that combines both parents' incomes and applies a percentage based on the number of children. The guideline is the starting point — not necessarily the final number — because courts may deviate based on statutory factors. You can read the firm's general overview on the Child Support page and experiment with the figures using the New York Child Support Calculator.

The CSSA applies a set percentage to combined parental income based on the number of children: 17% for one child, 25% for two children, 29% for three children, 31% for four children, and no less than 35% for five or more children. The resulting amount is then divided between the parents in proportion to their respective shares of combined income, with the noncustodial parent's share becoming the basic support obligation. The custodial parent's share is presumed to be spent directly on the child.

The CSSA looks at gross income from all sources, then subtracts certain allowable deductions to arrive at the income used in the formula. Deductions can include FICA, New York City and Yonkers income tax, maintenance paid to a spouse in a prior matter, and child support paid for children from other relationships. The calculation can become complicated when income includes bonuses, commissions, self-employment earnings, or investment income. Accurate income figures are essential to a correct calculation.

The guideline formula is automatically applied only to combined parental income up to a statutory cap. For 2026, the cap is $193,000. When combined income exceeds the cap, the court has discretion to apply the guideline percentage to income above the cap, or to apply a different amount based on statutory factors. The court is not required to apply the formula above the cap. You can read more in Understanding New York's Child Support Income Cap.

In addition to basic support, courts may order add-ons for childcare expenses, health insurance premiums, unreimbursed healthcare expenses, and, in certain circumstances, educational expenses. Add-ons are generally shared between the parents in proportion to their respective incomes. Read more about how these work in Childcare and Healthcare Add-Ons in Child Support.

Spousal maintenance can affect the child support calculation. Maintenance paid is deducted from the paying parent's income, and maintenance received is added to the recipient's income, before the child support formula is applied. This means the order in which the court calculates maintenance and child support matters. See Spousal Support and Maintenance in New York for more on how maintenance is determined.

When a parent's income is low, statutory adjustments may apply. These include the self-support reserve (which helps ensure the paying parent retains a minimum level of income), poverty guidelines, and a minimum annual support amount. These rules can reduce the obligation below what the basic formula would otherwise produce. The calculator flags when these adjustments may be relevant.

The guideline amount is presumptive, not mandatory. A court may deviate from the guideline based on statutory factors such as the financial resources of the parents and child, the standard of living, the physical and emotional health of the child, and any special needs. Deviation requires the court to state its reasons on the record. This is why no calculator can predict exactly what a court will order — the calculator provides an estimate, not a final number.

Child support orders can be modified when there is a substantial change in circumstances, or under the simplified modification standard based on a change in income of 15% or more. Orders can also be enforced when a parent fails to pay. Both modification and enforcement are separate proceedings with their own requirements.

The New York Child Support Calculator can help you understand how the formula works and obtain a general estimate. But because of the cap, add-ons, low-income rules, and judicial discretion, the calculator result is educational only and is not legal advice. For guidance specific to your situation, request a consultation with a New York family-law attorney.