Texas Child Support Estimator
Texas calculates guideline child support as a percentage of the paying parent's monthly net resources under Texas Family Code § 154.125 — 20% for one child, 25% for two, 30% for three, 35% for four, and 40% for five or more — applied only to the first $9,200 of net resources as of September 1, 2023. Net resources means income from nearly every source under § 154.062 minus federal income tax for a single filer with one exemption, Social Security tax, union dues, and the child's health and dental insurance. When the paying parent supports children in another household, § 154.129 applies reduced percentages.
This is an estimate, not an order. Guideline support is a rebuttable presumption. Courts vary from it under Tex. Fam. Code § 154.123 based on possession time, the child's needs, medical and dental support, childcare, travel costs, and other factors. Verify the current net resources cap with the Texas Attorney General before relying on any number here.
Estimated guideline support
$800 per month
About $9,600 per year — 20% of $4,000 in monthly net resources.
Medical support and dental support are ordered in addition to this amount under Tex. Fam. Code §§ 154.181–154.1826.
Guideline percentages (§ 154.125)
| Children before the court | Percentage of net resources |
|---|---|
| 1 | 20% |
| 2 | 25% |
| 3 | 30% |
| 4 | 35% |
| 5 | 40% |
| 5 or more | 40% |
What counts as resources
- Wages, salary, tips, overtime, bonuses, and commissions
- Self-employment income, net of ordinary and necessary business expenses
- Interest, dividends, and royalty income
- Rental income, net of ordinary and necessary expenses
- Severance pay, retirement benefits, pensions, and annuities
- Unemployment, disability, and workers' compensation benefits
- Alimony or spousal maintenance received, plus gifts and prizes
Excluded under § 154.062(c)
- Return of principal or capital
- Accounts receivable
- Benefits paid under Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
- Payments for foster care of a child
Deductions to reach net resources
- Federal income tax withholding for a single person claiming the standard deduction and one exemption
- Social Security taxes, or non-discretionary retirement contributions if the obligor does not pay Social Security
- State income tax (Texas has none, so this is typically zero for Texas wage earners)
- Union dues
- Expenses for the child's health insurance or cash medical support
- Expenses for the child's dental insurance
Texas authority
- Net resources defined — Tex. Fam. Code § 154.062
- Guideline percentages and the net resources cap — Tex. Fam. Code § 154.125
- Obligor with children in more than one household — Tex. Fam. Code § 154.129
- Factors for varying from the guidelines — Tex. Fam. Code § 154.123
- Medical and dental support for the child — Tex. Fam. Code §§ 154.181–154.1826
This estimator applies general Texas guideline rules for educational purposes. It is not legal advice, does not account for the § 154.123 variance factors in your case, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Winfrey Law Firm, PLLC is licensed to practice in Texas.