How Texas Calculates Child Support
Texas uses the Percentage of Income model for child support. The governing law is Texas Family Code Section 154.125. Texas applies a fixed percentage of the obligor's net resources to determine the monthly obligation based on the number of children. The receiving parent's income is not part of the base calculation.
Texas's formula has two features that make it distinct from other Percentage of Income states. First, Texas uses a specific definition of net resources that differs from both gross income and standard net income. Second, Texas applies a monthly cap on the net resources amount subject to the percentage. Understanding both of these features is essential to reading a Texas child support estimate accurately.
The Texas Child Support Formula
Texas's calculation follows three steps.
Step one is calculating the obligor's net monthly resources using Texas's specific definition. Step two is identifying the applicable percentage based on the number of children before the court. Step three is multiplying net resources, up to the monthly cap, by the applicable percentage to produce the monthly obligation.
Texas's percentages under Family Code Section 154.125 are:
- 1 child: 20 percent of net resources
- 2 children: 25 percent
- 3 children: 30 percent
- 4 children: 35 percent
- 5 or more children: 40 percent
A practical example: the obligor has net monthly resources of $5,000. There are two children. The obligation is 25 percent of $5,000, which is $1,250 per month. The receiving parent's income does not affect this result.
When an obligor has children in more than one household, Texas adjusts the applicable percentage downward to account for those multiple obligations.
Calculating Net Resources in Texas
Texas defines net resources specifically under Family Code Section 154.062. This definition is unique to Texas and is the most important calculation to get right.
Start with gross monthly income from all sources: wages, salary, self-employment income, rental income, interest, dividends, royalties, and any other regular income. Texas includes capital gains and net rental income in the calculation. From gross income, subtract federal income tax based on a single person claiming one personal exemption. Texas uses a standardized tax withholding figure rather than the obligor's actual withholding. Texas has no state income tax, so no state tax is subtracted. Subtract Social Security taxes at 6.2 percent of wages up to $176,100 annually in 2026. Subtract Medicare at 1.45 percent of all wages. Subtract union dues. Subtract the cost of health insurance and dental insurance coverage paid by the obligor for the children named in this order.
The result is net resources for Texas child support purposes.
Texas also applies a monthly cap on net resources. Net resources above the cap are not subject to the percentage formula. Courts have discretion to set additional support above the cap based on the children's proven needs, but the automatic percentage applies only up to the cap. The cap is updated periodically by the Texas Office of the Attorney General.
What Counts as Income in Texas
Texas includes wages, salary, commissions, overtime, self-employment income, net rental income, interest, dividends, royalties, capital gains, pension and retirement distributions, Social Security benefits, workers' compensation, unemployment compensation, and income from any other source.
Texas courts can impute income to an obligor who is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed based on earning capacity, employment history, and local job market conditions.
Texas excludes return of principal, accounts receivable that are uncollectable, and certain disability payments from the net resources calculation.
Step-by-Step: How to Use This Calculator
Step 1. Calculate your net monthly resources. Start with gross monthly income from all sources. Subtract the standardized federal income tax withholding for a single filer claiming one exemption, not your actual withholding. Subtract Social Security and Medicare. Subtract union dues. Subtract health and dental insurance premiums you pay for the children in this order. Do not subtract state income tax. Texas has none.
Step 2. Note the monthly cap on net resources. The calculator applies the current cap automatically. If your net resources exceed the cap, the percentage applies only to the capped amount.
Step 3. Identify the number of children before the court in this order.
Step 4. Check for children in other households. If you have court-ordered support for children from other relationships, the applicable percentage is adjusted downward.
Step 5. Multiply net resources by the applicable percentage to produce the base monthly obligation.
Step 6. Review the result and confirm your net resources calculation looks accurate.
Parenting Time and Texas's Formula
Texas's Percentage of Income formula does not include an automatic parenting time credit. The standard obligation is calculated from net resources and number of children regardless of how much time the obligor spends with the children.
Texas family courts work within a framework of Standard Possession Orders (SPO) that define typical visitation schedules. The SPO assumes the non-custodial parent has the children certain weekends, holidays, and extended summer time, roughly 30 to 35 percent of the year. The Texas formula does not reduce the payment for this assumed standard possession.
Courts can deviate from the guideline amount when the obligor has expanded or alternative possession that substantially exceeds the standard order. A deviation based on parenting time requires a specific court finding and is not automatic. If you have significantly more than standard possession time, discuss a deviation request with a Texas family law attorney.
Add-On Expenses in Texas
Texas courts typically add healthcare and dental insurance premiums for the children to the base obligation if they have not already been deducted from net resources. Work-related childcare costs may also be allocated. Extraordinary medical expenses and other child-specific costs are addressed on a case-by-case basis.
Reading Your Results
The results show the obligor's gross monthly income, each deduction in the net resources calculation, the final net resources figure, whether the monthly cap applied, the applicable percentage, and the final monthly obligation.
The most common input error in Texas is using actual tax withholding rather than the standardized single-filer withholding amount Texas requires. Confirm your net resources figure reflects the Texas standardized calculation before accepting the result.
After You Get Your Estimate
Texas courts follow the Family Code Section 154.125 guidelines in all standard cases. Deviation is allowed when the guideline amount is not in the child's best interests. Courts document deviations with specific written findings.
Modification in Texas requires a material and substantial change in circumstances or the passage of three years with a 20 percent or $100 per month difference in the calculated obligation. Income changes for the obligor, changes in the number of children in the order, and changes in health insurance costs are the most common grounds.
A licensed Texas family law attorney can help you verify your net resources calculation and advise on deviation options. Many offer a free initial consultation.