How Texas Calculates Child Support
Texas uses the Percentage of Obligor's Net Resources model to determine child support obligations. This page explains the guidelines, formula, and key factors.
Model Type
Percentage of Obligor's Net Resources
Texas applies a flat percentage of the paying parent's net monthly resources, set by the number of children: 20% for one child up to 40% for five or more. Net resources above the statutory cap are not counted toward the percentage.
Sources & Verification
- Federal income tax is entered by the user rather than derived from the OAG tax charts (which assume a single filer claiming one exemption and the standard deduction).
- § 154.128 (the alternative child-support-credit computation) is not offered; only the § 154.129 percentage table is used for multiple families.
Income Basis & Definitions
net resources (paying parent only)
Determines percentage applied: 20% (1), 25% (2), 30% (3), 35% (4), 40% (5+).
Source: §154.125 guideline percentages by number of childrenObligor monthly net resources after statutory deductions (taxes, FICA, health insurance for child, union dues).
Source: §154.062 net resources computationParenting Time Handling
Possession schedule may support deviation; Texas does not have an automatic parenting-time offset formula.
Source: §154.123 deviation factors including possession and accessDeductions & Adjustments
Existing child support or court-ordered obligations for other children may reduce net resources.
Source: §154.062 deductions from gross incomeIf obligor has children in more than one household, adjusted percentage table under §154.129 applies.
Source: §154.129 multiple-family adjusted guidelines