Number of Children

1 child 

2 children

3 children

4 children

5 or more children 

CSSA Percentage

17%

25%

29%

31%

At least 35%

The resulting child support obligation is then divided between the parents pro rata, meaning each parent is responsible for a percentage based on their share of the combined parental income.

For example, if one parent earns 60% of the combined parental income and the other earns 40%, they would generally be responsible for 60% and 40% of the basic child support obligation, respectively.

The parent who has less parenting time—or is otherwise designated the non-custodial parent for child support purposes—typically pays their share to the other parent.

What Is the New York Child Support Income Cap?

The CSSA percentages apply automatically to combined parental income up to a statutory income cap.

As of March 1, 2026, the New York CSSA income cap is $193,000 in combined parental income, an increase from the previous $183,000 cap.

If the parents' combined income exceeds the statutory cap, the court has discretion when determining how to calculate support on the income above the cap. The court may:

• Apply the CSSA percentage to income above the cap;
• Consider the statutory factors and the child's needs;
• Consider the child's standard of living had the parents remained together;
• Consider each parent's financial resources and circumstances; or
• Use a combination of these approaches.

Because income above the cap can significantly affect a support obligation, high-income cases often require a more detailed analysis than a standard CSSA calculation. 

What Counts as Income for New York Child Support?

A common misconception is that CSSA income simply means your annual salary or wages. New York's definition of income for child support purposes can be much broader.

Depending on the circumstances, CSSA income may include:

• Wages and salary
• Bonuses and commissions
• Self-employment income
• Investment income
• Rental income
• Unemployment benefits
• Disability benefits
• Certain employment benefits and other income recognized under the statute



Certain deductions may be allowed before the CSSA percentages are applied. These can include FICA taxes and, in some circumstances, maintenance actually paid to the other parent.

Determining the correct income figure is often one of the most important parts of calculating child support accurately—particularly when a parent is self-employed, receives bonuses or commissions, owns rental property, or has other sources of income.

What Are New York Child Support Add-Ons?

The basic CSSA obligation is intended to cover a child's ordinary living expenses, such as food, clothing, and shelter. However, some expenses are added to the basic child support obligation and are generally divided between the parents based on their respective shares of the combined parental income.



Common child support add-ons can include:

Unreimbursed Medical Expenses

Parents may be required to share responsibility for certain unreimbursed medical, dental, and health-care expenses for their children.

Work-Related Childcare

Reasonable childcare expenses that allow a parent to work or pursue employment may be included as an additional child support expense.

Educational Expenses

Under certain circumstances, parents may also be required to contribute toward educational expenses, which can include private school tuition depending on the facts of the case and the applicable court order.



These expenses can make the actual amount paid each month different from the basic CSSA calculation.

What Is the Self-Support Reserve in New York?

New York's child support laws also recognize that a parent who is ordered to pay support needs enough income to meet their own basic living expenses.

The Self-Support Reserve is currently $21,546 per year. When a parent's income is at or near this threshold, special rules may apply and the parent's child support obligation may be reduced.

The self-support reserve is particularly important in cases involving a parent with limited income because the standard CSSA percentage may not accurately reflect the amount that parent can reasonably afford to pay.

Can Child Support Be Different From the CSSA Calculator Amount?

Yes. A CSSA calculator provides an estimate, not necessarily the final child support order.

A court may consider circumstances that affect the final obligation, including:

• Income above the CSSA cap
• Imputed income
• Significant parenting-time arrangements
• Extraordinary expenses
• The child's educational or medical needs
• Deviations from the guideline amount
• The financial circumstances of either parent
• Other statutory factors

For this reason, a calculator is best viewed as a starting point for understanding your potential obligation, rather than a guarantee of what a court will order.

How Accurate Is a New York Child Support Calculator?

A New York CSSA child support calculator can provide a useful estimate when you have accurate information about both parents' income, the number of children, and other relevant financial information.

However, the result may not reflect the final amount ordered by a court if your case involves:

• Self-employment or complicated income
• Bonuses, commissions, or irregular income
• Income above the CSSA cap
• Multiple sources of income
• Significant childcare or medical expenses
• High-income parents
• Imputed income
• A request to deviate from the CSSA guidelines
• Unique parenting-time circumstances

If your calculator estimate seems unexpectedly high or low, it may be worth having an attorney review the underlying income and calculations.

Frequently Asked Questions About New York Child Support

Understanding the CSSA formula can give you a clearer picture of what child support may look like in your situation.