2026 Texas Child Support Calculator — Estimate Your Monthly Obligation
To calculate Texas child support: subtract allowable deductions from gross income to get net resources, then multiply by 20% (1 child), 25% (2), 28% (3), 31% (4), or 34% (5+) — applied to the first $9,200 of monthly net resources. Enter the inputs below to get an instant estimate based on Texas's current 2026 guidelines. The result includes a line-item breakdown showing exactly how the obligation was calculated.
To calculate accurately, you will need: (1) both parents' monthly gross income (the calculator deducts applicable taxes); (2) the number of qualifying children covered by this order; (3) the number of overnights the child spends with the non-custodial parent annually out of 365; and (4) any monthly costs either parent pays for the child's health insurance and work-related childcare. These add-ons are allocated proportionally and affect the final obligation.
Texas's child support guidelines under Tex. Fam. Code §154 reflect 20–34% of net resources; $9,200/month net resources cap; military BAH and SSDI income included. Courts in Texas apply the statutory formula as a rebuttable presumption — the guideline amount is the correct amount unless a party presents evidence that deviation is in the child's best interest.
What to Enter in the Texas Child Support Calculator
| Input Field | What to Include | What to Exclude |
|---|
| Monthly gross income (your income) | Wages, salary, bonuses, commissions, overtime, self-employment, rental income, dividends, Social Security | One-time gifts, inheritances, SSI, public assistance |
| Monthly gross income (other parent) | Same categories — all regular income from all sources | Same exclusions |
| Number of children | All qualifying children subject to this order | Stepchildren unless formally adopted; adult children no longer eligible |
| Overnights per year (non-custodial) | Actual overnights in your custody schedule out of 365 | Daytime-only visits without overnight stays |
| Health insurance premium | Monthly cost for child's coverage only | Premium portion for the parent's own coverage |
| Childcare (work-related) | Monthly childcare costs enabling the parent to work | Enrichment or discretionary childcare not work-related |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I use the Texas child support calculator?
- To calculate Texas child support: subtract allowable deductions from gross income to get net resources, then multiply by 20% (1 child), 25% (2), 28% (3), 31% (4), or 34% (5+) — applied to the first $9,200 of monthly net resources. Enter both parents' monthly income, the number of qualifying children, and the annual overnights for the non-custodial parent. The calculator applies the 2026 Tex. Fam. Code §154 guidelines and returns an estimated monthly obligation with a line-item breakdown.
- How accurate is the Texas child support calculator?
- Our calculator applies Tex. Fam. Code §154 directly and uses the current 2026 income schedule. Results are accurate for standard cases. They may differ from a court's actual order if either parent has complex self-employment deductions, there are multiple households with prior support obligations, or the case involves income imputation. Always verify with a Texas family law attorney.
- What income is excluded from the Texas child support calculation?
- Most states exclude: SSI (Supplemental Security Income), one-time gifts and inheritances, non-recurring windfalls, public assistance benefits, and income of a new spouse or partner. What counts as includable income is defined by Tex. Fam. Code §154. The calculator uses includable income only.
- What if one parent is self-employed in Texas?
- Self-employment income in Texas is gross self-employment receipts minus allowable ordinary and necessary business expenses. Courts may disallow excessive expenses. If a self-employed parent minimizes income through deductions, the court can impute income based on earning capacity, prior earnings history, or available job market data.
- Does 50/50 custody eliminate child support in Texas?
- Not automatically. Texas calculates a base obligation from both parents' incomes, then applies a shared parenting adjustment. The court evaluates the custody arrangement. The parent with the higher income typically still owes some support in equal custody, reflecting the income disparity between households.
- When can Texas child support be modified?
- Texas child support can be modified when there is a material change in circumstances — typically a 15–20% change in either parent's income, a significant change in custody time, or a change in the child's needs. File a petition with the court that issued the original order. Modifications are only retroactive to the petition date.
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