Texas child support calculator 2026
This Texas child support calculator estimates the guideline child support under the Texas Family Code. Enter the paying parent’s gross wages and the number of children: the calculator works out monthly net resources (minus Social Security, Medicare and federal income tax as a single filer, health insurance for the child and union dues) and applies 20% for one child up to 40% for five or more.
Example: Gross wages are: per month · Paying parent’s gross wages 5,000 $ · Children before the court 1 children · Other children the parent must support 0 children · Health and dental insurance for the child per month 0 $ · Union dues per month 0 $ → Guideline child support per month: US$839.83. Source: Tex. Fam. Code §§154.061–154.129, Texas Family Code chapter 154 – §154.061, §154.062, §154.125, §154.126, §154.129 (read 09.10.2026). Updated: .
How it is calculated
Texas guideline child support is a percentage of the paying parent’s monthly net resources: 20% for one child, 25% for two, 30% for three, 35% for four and 40% for five or more. Since 1 September 2025 the percentages apply to net resources up to $11,700 a month. With $5,000 gross a month the net resources are $4,199.17, so support for one child is $839.83 a month.
Texas child support percentages
| Children | Net resources $1,000 – $11,700 | Under $1,000 | Maximum at the cap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 20% | 15% | $2,340 |
| 2 | 25% | 20% | $2,925 |
| 3 | 30% | 25% | $3,510 |
| 4 | 35% | 30% | $4,095 |
| 5 or more | 40% | 35% | $4,680 |
If the parent also supports children from another relationship, the multiple-family table lowers the percentage – for example 17.5% instead of 20% for one child with one other child.
How the calculator works
- Yearly gross: monthly wages × 12, as the Attorney General’s tax charts do.
- Taxes: Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500, Medicare 1.45%, federal income tax for a single person with the $16,100 standard deduction – Texas has no state income tax.
- Net resources: monthly gross minus taxes, the child’s health and dental insurance and union dues.
- Support: guideline percentage × net resources (at most $11,700).
Examples
- $5,000 a month, 1 child: $5,000 − $310 − $72.50 − $418.33 = $4,199.17 net → 20% = $839.83 a month, $10,077.96 a year.
- $5,000 a month, 2 children: 25% = $1,049.79.
- $5,000 a month, 1 child, $200 health insurance for the child: $3,999.17 → $799.83.
- $4,000 a month, 3 children, 1 other child at home: $3,395.67 × 27.38% = $929.73.
- Full-time at $7.25 an hour ($1,256.67 a month), 1 child: $1,160.54 net → $232.11.
- $900 a month, 1 child: $831.15 net, under $1,000 → 15% = $124.67.
- $25,000 a month, 1 child: $17,931.40 net, capped at $11,700 → $2,340; with 3 children $3,510.
- Attorney General example (2025 tax chart): $15,692.51 gross → $909.85 Social Security, $227.54 Medicare, $2,855.12 income tax → exactly $11,700 net.
To convert an hourly wage into monthly pay, use the hourly to salary calculator. The custodial parent can check the child tax credit calculator.
Limits
The guidelines are presumed correct, but a court can deviate, for example for 50/50 possession, extraordinary needs, or when the parent’s net resources are above $11,700. Only the paying parent’s income counts; the receiving parent’s income is not part of the guideline formula. Self-employment income, rental and investment income, Social Security and other benefits are resources too but are not entered here. Medical and dental support are ordered separately. This is an estimate, not legal advice – the order is set by the court or the Attorney General’s Child Support Division.
Frequently asked questions
How is child support calculated in Texas?
As a percentage of the paying parent’s monthly net resources: 20% for one child, 25% for two, 30% for three, 35% for four and 40% for five or more children. Net resources are gross income minus Social Security, Medicare, federal income tax as a single filer, the child’s health insurance and union dues.
What is the maximum child support in Texas in 2026?
The guidelines apply to net resources up to $11,700 a month (since 1 September 2025): $2,340 for one child, $2,925 for two and $3,510 for three. A court can order more if the child’s needs are proven.
How much is child support on $5,000 a month in Texas?
About $839.83 a month for one child and $1,049.79 for two, based on $4,199.17 of monthly net resources with 2026 taxes.
Does the other parent’s income count in Texas?
No. The Texas guidelines use only the paying parent’s net resources. The court may consider the other parent’s situation only when it deviates from the guidelines.
How does 50/50 custody affect Texas child support?
The Family Code has no separate formula for it. The guideline amount is the starting point, and the court may deviate from it when possession is shared equally.
What if the parent has other children?
Then the multiple-family table applies a lower percentage – for one child before the court and one other child it is 17.5% instead of 20%.
Sources and legal basis
- Tex. Fam. Code §§154.061–154.129: Texas Family Code chapter 154 – §154.061, §154.062, §154.125, §154.126, §154.129 (read 09.10.2026)
- Texas Office of the Attorney General – Child Support Guidelines Review Report, December 2025: cap $11,700 from 01.09.2025, 2025 revised tax chart (read 09.10.2026)
- IRS – Rev. Proc. 2025-32: 2026 tax rate table for single filers and standard deduction $16,100 (read 09.10.2026)
- IRS – Topic no. 751: Social Security 6.2% up to the 2026 wage base of $184,500, Medicare 1.45%, additional 0.9% over $200,000 (read 09.10.2026)
As of: · Editorial policy
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