How Child Support Is Calculated in Texas
The short answer: Texas sets "guideline" child support as a flat percentage of the paying parent's monthly net resources — 20% for one child, rising by 5% per child up to 40% for five children. You can get an instant estimate with our free Texas child support calculator.
This guide explains every step so the number makes sense.
Step 1 — Add up monthly gross income
Texas starts with the paying parent's income from nearly every source: wages and salary, overtime, commissions, bonuses, self-employment income, rental income, interest and dividends, retirement and pension income, unemployment and disability benefits, and more. The governing statute is Texas Family Code § 154.062.
A few things are not counted — return of principal or capital, accounts receivable, federal public assistance (TANF), and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Step 2 — Subtract the allowed deductions to get "net resources"
From gross income, Texas subtracts a specific list of items:
- Social Security taxes (or mandatory retirement contributions if the job pays no Social Security);
- Federal income tax, calculated for a single person claiming one exemption and the standard deduction — not the parent's actual withholding;
- State income tax (Texas has none, so $0 here);
- Union dues; and
- The cost of the child's health insurance and dental insurance.
What's left is the parent's monthly net resources — the figure the percentages are applied to.
Step 3 — Apply the guideline percentage
| Children before the court | % of net resources |
|---|---|
| 1 | 20% |
| 2 | 25% |
| 3 | 30% |
| 4 | 35% |
| 5 | 40% |
| 6+ | not less than 5 children |
If the paying parent also supports children in another household, a lower multiple-family percentage table applies (Family Code § 154.129).
Step 4 — Apply the $11,700 cap
Guideline percentages apply only to the first $11,700 of monthly net resources (the cap rose from $9,200 effective September 1, 2025). If the parent earns more, the court can order additional support, but only based on the proven needs of the child. See our explainer on the net-resources cap.
When the court can order a different amount
Guideline support is presumed correct, but a judge can order more or less after considering the child's needs, the parents' circumstances, travel costs for visitation, health and education expenses, and other § 154.123 factors. Equal (50/50) possession schedules are a common reason parents ask the court to deviate — see child support with 50/50 custody.
Frequently asked questions
Does overtime count toward child support in Texas? Yes. Overtime, bonuses, and commissions are part of gross income, though courts look at whether the income is consistent and likely to continue.
Is child support based on gross or net income? Net. Texas applies the percentage to net resources, not gross pay — but "net resources" uses a standardized tax calculation, not your actual paycheck deductions.
Can parents agree to a different amount? Yes, parents can agree to an amount that differs from the guideline, but the judge must still find the agreement is in the child's best interest.
This is a general estimate of Texas guideline child support, not legal advice. The amount a court actually orders can differ. For an exact calculation and a review of your case, contact Nemec Law Office, serving Tarrant, Dallas, Denton, and Collin counties.
Related: Texas child support percentages · What counts as net resources · Run your estimate on the calculator