New York Child Support Calculator & Guide (2025)

Overview of New York Child Support

New York uses the Child Support Standards Act (CSSA) formula under Domestic Relations Law § 240 and Family Court Act § 413. The CSSA is a form of Income Shares Model that applies specific percentages to combined parental income up to a statutory cap.

One notable difference between New York and most other states is that child support continues until the child turns 21, rather than the more common age of 18.

How Child Support Is Calculated in New York

The CSSA calculation follows these steps:

1. Determine gross income for both parents (all income from all sources)
2. Subtract deductions — FICA taxes, Social Security, Medicare, NYC income tax, Yonkers income tax, spousal support paid, and unreimbursed employee expenses
3. Combine adjusted gross incomes
4. Apply the CSSA percentage based on the number of children to combined income up to the $163,000 cap
5. Allocate proportionally — each parent's share is based on their proportion of combined income
6. Add additional expenses — health insurance, childcare, education, and unreimbursed medical costs
7. Apply self-support reserve if needed

CSSA Percentages

Key Factors in New York Calculations

Income Definition

New York defines income broadly to include employment income, self-employment income, Social Security, disability benefits, workers' compensation, unemployment benefits, veterans' benefits, pension and annuity payments, fellowships and stipends, and imputed income based on earning capacity.

The $163,000 Cap

The CSSA percentages apply to combined parental income up to $163,000 (as of 2024, adjusted periodically). For income above this cap, the court has discretion to:

• Apply the same CSSA percentages to income above the cap
• Use a different approach based on the child's needs and parents' resources
• Consider the standard of living the child would have enjoyed

Self-Support Reserve

New York protects low-income parents through the self-support reserve. The paying parent must be left with at least the federal poverty income guideline for a single person. If the calculated support would reduce the paying parent below this threshold, the support amount is reduced.

Additional Expenses

In addition to the basic CSSA amount, New York courts may order contributions to:

• Health insurance premiums for the child
• Unreimbursed medical, dental, and vision expenses
• Childcare costs (to enable the custodial parent to work or attend school)
• Educational expenses

Duration of Support

New York is one of the few states where child support continues until age 21, unless the child becomes emancipated earlier through:

• Marriage
• Military service
• Full-time employment and self-support
• Moving out of the custodial parent's home and refusing to follow reasonable rules

Modification and Enforcement

Modification

New York allows modification when there is a substantial change in circumstances (30%+ change in income). The state also periodically adjusts orders based on cost-of-living increases.

Enforcement

The New York OCSE (Office of Child Support Enforcement) uses:

• Income execution (wage garnishment)
• Tax refund interception
• Driver's license suspension
• Passport denial
• Credit bureau reporting
• Property liens and bank account seizures
• Contempt of court proceedings

Calculate your New York child support: Try our free calculator to estimate your obligation under the CSSA formula.