The Tennessee child support calculator helps parents estimate the amount of child support they may pay or receive by entering information about adjusted gross income, parenting time, health insurance premium costs, and work-related childcare expenses into automated tools following Tennessee child support guidelines. Using the child support worksheet based on the income shares model, parents can calculate basic child support obligations before additional expenses are added, though only child support orders issued by courts establish legally binding payment amounts that enforce Tennessee child support requirements.
Official Tennessee Child Support Calculator Tools
Tennessee provides free automated calculators to help parents estimate child support amounts accurately.
The Tennessee Department of Human Services has made several calculator tools available to simplify the process of calculating Tennessee child support orders under the state's child support guidelines. The most recent changes to the Tennessee child support guidelines were effective October 1, 2021, and parents should visit the Calculator and Worksheet page regularly to check for updates, as using an outdated automated calculator or child support worksheet may give incorrect results.
Several automated tools are available to simplify the process of calculating Tennessee child support orders under the state's child support guidelines, including an Excel calculator, an iOS mobile app, and a web-style calculator. These tools help parents get quick estimates of support obligations, though only a court order or other tribunal can officially set child support.
Excel Child Support Worksheet Calculator
The Excel-based child support calculator provides the most comprehensive calculation tool with all variables included.
The child support worksheet is an Excel document that uses automated calculations to simplify completing it. After downloading and opening the document, you will find a series of tabs along the bottom of the page, one for each worksheet, including a tab with instructions for completing the worksheets and another containing the Tennessee Schedule of Basic Child Support Obligations.
In order for the Windows and Mac calculators to work correctly, they must be downloaded and saved; calculations completed in the online versions will not work. It is recommended to use the Desktop Office 365 Version with the ActiveX control feature for Excel, as the desktop security protection feature on Excel provides better functionality. This calculator requires Microsoft Excel version 97 or later, and it may be necessary to adjust the macro security settings to use this document.
Mobile App Child Support Calculator
Tennessee offers a convenient mobile app for calculating child support on iOS devices.
The Child Support Calculator of Tennessee mobile app is available through the Apple App Store. The Tennessee Department of Human Services has made this app available to simplify the process of calculating Tennessee child support orders under the state's child support guidelines. The calculator will calculate support and allow for the results to be sent via SMS text message and email.
This calculator is for educational and informational purposes only; only a court order or other tribunal can set child support. The app provides a convenient way for parents to estimate obligations while on the go, ensuring they have access to important calculation tools whenever needed.
Web-Based Calculator
The web-style calculator offers a guided step-by-step process for calculating support.
When you enter the requested information in a series of eight steps, the calculator will generate a completed document titled child support worksheet that you can print and save. The calculator is not compatible with macOS at this time, though an Excel version of the child support worksheet is available that is Mac-compatible.
To be able to save a child support worksheet that the calculator creates, you must first download the PDF Creator tool, which is available at no cost from Adobe. The web calculator provides a user-friendly interface that walks parents through each step of the calculation process.
How the Income Shares Model Works
Tennessee uses the income shares model as the foundation for child support calculations.
The guidelines are based on an income shares model that establishes the dollar amount of child support obligations based on the amount of parents' combined adjusted gross income and the number of children for whom the child support order is being established or modified. This model assumes each parent should contribute to the child in proportion to their share of the combined parental income.
The income shares model presumes that both parents contribute to the financial support of the child in a pro rata proportion to the actual income available to each parent. This approach is used by over forty other states and is generally based on economic studies of child-rearing costs.
Calculating Adjusted Gross Income
Accurate income information forms the basis of all child support calculations.
Calculate each parent's adjusted gross income (AGI) by deducting credits from each parent's gross income. Gross income includes all income from any source before tax and other deductions, whether earned or unearned, and includes wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, self-employment income, rental income, investment income, unemployment benefits, Social Security disability, judgments from personal injuries or other civil actions, cash gifts or inheritances that can be converted to cash or produce income, prizes and lottery winnings, and even imputed income if a parent is found to be voluntarily underemployed.
The income to be put in the child support worksheet is not after-tax income, but the income before taxes are taken out. Within the calculation, the worksheet will calculate appropriate taxes. Credits reduce the amount of gross income that is used to compute the basic child support obligation, including self-employment taxes paid, other child support payments made, and credits for other children in the home.
Income Sources Included in Calculations
Tennessee child support calculations consider all sources of income when determining obligations.
Earned Income Sources
Wages, salaries, commissions, fees, tips, overtime pay, severance pay, bonuses, and fringe benefits all count as income. Self-employment income from independent contractors, partners, and owner-operated companies is also included in gross income calculations.
Investment and Passive Income
Rental income from residential or commercial real estate, investment interest on bank deposits, trust accounts, annuities, dividends on company stock, and capital gains from the sale of investments or real estate holdings are all considered income for child support purposes.
Government Benefits and Other Income
Unemployment benefits, Social Security disability insurance, workers' compensation, VA disability, retirement income, including pensions and mandatory IRA withdrawals, and alimony received from a person who is not a party to the current case all count as income. Judgments for damages in personal injury cases, gambling profits, lottery winnings, prize winnings, cash gifts, and inheritances are also included.
Basic Child Support Obligation Calculation
The basic child support obligation represents the foundation amount parents must contribute.
Tennessee child support is intended to cover the essential needs of the minor, called the basic child support obligations. The BCSO includes the following costs: housing, food, transportation, clothing, general entertainment activities, extracurricular activities, and basic education expenses.
Add the combined AGI of both parents and refer to the Tennessee Child Support Schedule, which gives the monthly total obligation or basic child support obligations the two parents must provide. Each parent's share is calculated by dividing their individual adjusted gross income by the combined total to determine the percentage of income each parent contributes.
Step-by-Step Calculation Process
Understanding the calculation steps helps parents use the Tennessee child support calculator effectively.
Step 1: Identify Gross Income
Identify each parent's gross income from all sources before taxes and deductions. This includes all earned income, investment income, government benefits, and other sources listed in the child support guidelines.
Step 2: Calculate Adjusted Gross Income
Deduct allowable credits from gross income to determine each parent's adjusted gross income. Credits include self-employment taxes, support paid for other children, and credits for qualifying children in the home.
Step 3: Determine Combined Income and BCSO
Add both parents' adjusted gross incomes together and refer to the Tennessee Child Support Schedule to find the basic child support obligation for the number of children and combined income level.
Step 4: Calculate Each Parent's Share
Divide the basic child support obligation by each parent's adjusted gross income to calculate the percentage of income, which determines each parent's pro rata share of the support obligation.
Additional Expenses and Adjustments
Certain variable expenses are added to basic child support obligations and allocated between parents.
There are blanks on the child support worksheet where you will put in information that will impact child support. The following will impact the amount of child support that will be owed: self-employment taxes paid if self-employed, health insurance premium (the children's cost only), the number of yearly overnights each parent has or will have with the children, the monthly child support you pay for other children, the number of other children who reside primarily in your home, amount of monthly work related childcare for the children at issue, and any recurring monthly out of pocket medical expenses for the children at issue.
The basic child support obligation does not include the following variable costs; however, these costs are included in adjustments to the basic child support obligation: the child's health insurance premium, work-related childcare costs, the child's uninsured medical expenses, routine and recurring extraordinary expenses, and extraordinary educational expenses.
Tennessee Child Support Calculator Comparison
Different calculator tools offer varying features and accessibility options for parents.
Calculator Type | Platform | Key Features | Best For |
Excel Worksheet | Windows/Mac Desktop | Complete calculations, all variables included, downloadable for offline use, includes instruction tabs and child support schedule | Parents need comprehensive calculations with detailed documentation |
iOS Mobile App | iPhone/iPad | Quick calculations on the go, results shareable via text/email, user-friendly interface | Parents want convenient mobile access and instant estimates |
Web-Based Calculator | Windows Web Browser | Guided 8-step process, generates printable worksheet, no software installation required | Parents prefer browser-based tools without downloads |
Parenting Time Impact on Support
The number of days each parent spends with the child affects child support calculations.
Parents receive credit for the number of days they spend with their child annually. A day is more than 12 consecutive hours within 24 hours, and the 24-hour period does not have to be the same as a calendar day. Shorter recurring visits that add up to more than 12 hours may count as a single day if parents agree or the court chooses.
The support obligation is adjusted based on parenting time, with reductions for parents who spend 92 days or more with the child and increases for those spending 69 days or less. In rare cases where parents have identical parenting time, child-rearing expenses, and income, there will not be a support obligation.
How to Count Parenting Days
Accurately counting parenting time is essential for correct child support calculations.
A day of parenting time requires more than 12 consecutive hours with the child during any 24 hours. This can include overnight visits or extended daytime visits that exceed 12 hours. Parents should carefully track their actual time with children rather than estimating, as even small differences in parenting days can significantly impact support amounts.
High Income and Low Income Adjustments
Tennessee child support guidelines include special provisions for extremely high or low incomes.
High Income Calculations
When combined monthly parental income is greater than $28,250, the guideline says parents should pay the highest basic child support obligation, plus a percentage of their income over $28,250: 6.81% for one child, 7.37% for two children, 7.76% for three children, 8.14% for four children, and 8.66% for five or more children.
These percentages ensure that children of high-income parents receive support proportionate to their parents' financial resources, even when combined income exceeds the standard child support schedule.
Low Income Protections
When a parent's income falls in the shaded area on the Child Support Schedule, the court does a second child support calculation using only that parent's income. If the result is less than when the formula includes combined parental income, this lower result becomes the guideline payment, ensuring that paying support does not affect a parent's ability to support themselves.
The court must make sure that paying support does not affect a parent's ability to meet their own basic needs. These protections recognize that parents with very low incomes cannot afford to pay support amounts that would leave them unable to meet essential living expenses.
Using Calculator Results
Calculator estimates provide helpful guidance but do not replace official court orders.
Once the income, credits, and number of parenting days are inputted, the Tennessee child support worksheet program will calculate the child support owed. This Tennessee child support calculator helps determine the amount of child support you might pay or the amount you might be entitled to, providing estimates based on the information you enter.
These calculators are for educational and informational purposes only; only a court order or other tribunal can set child support. The information provided is modeled on guidelines provided by the State of Tennessee, but is not guaranteed to be accurate. Always consult an attorney licensed in your jurisdiction for legal advice concerning child support or child support calculations.
Limitations of Calculator Estimates
Understanding what calculators can and cannot do helps parents set realistic expectations.
Automated calculators provide estimates based on the information entered but cannot account for every unique circumstance that might affect a child support case. Special situations like deviation requests, unusual income sources, complex parenting schedules, or contested issues about income or expenses may require professional legal analysis beyond what automated tools can provide.
Modifying Support After Initial Calculation
Child support amounts can be adjusted when circumstances change significantly.
Once child support is calculated and ordered by a court, the amount can only be modified if a new court order is entered. Child support can be modified if running a new child support worksheet results in at least a 15% reduction or increase in the child support amount, which is known as a significant variance.
If a court action is filed to increase or decrease child support, the court may make any change retroactive to the date the court action was filed, but may not make the new amount retroactive to any earlier date. This ensures that modifications reflect current circumstances while maintaining consistency in payment obligations.
When Modifications Are Appropriate
Significant changes in circumstances may warrant recalculating child support obligations.
Changes that may justify modification include substantial increases or decreases in either parent's income, changes in the number of children for whom support is owed, significant changes in parenting time arrangements, changes in childcare costs or health insurance premiums, or children developing special needs requiring additional expenses. Running a new calculation through the Tennessee child support calculator can help determine whether changes create the required 15% variance for modification.
When to Seek Professional Help
Complex situations require experienced legal guidance beyond calculator estimates.
Calculating child support can be complicated and can involve issues of underemployment, calculation of the number of overnights, whether a modification is needed, and what income is and is not used for computing child support. While calculators provide helpful estimates, they cannot account for every unique family situation or interpret complex income scenarios.
Tennessee child support laws are incredibly complicated and intricate, making professional legal assistance valuable for ensuring accurate calculations. Experienced family law attorneys can help navigate the child support guidelines, ensure all income sources are properly included, calculate parenting time accurately, and advocate for fair support obligations that meet both legal requirements and children's needs.
Common Situations Requiring Legal Assistance
Certain circumstances benefit from professional legal guidance rather than relying solely on calculator estimates.
Parents with self-employment income requiring calculation of business expenses, cases involving imputation of income to voluntarily unemployed or underemployed parents, disputes about what counts as income or how to value certain assets, complex parenting schedules with varying amounts of time throughout the year, or situations involving deviation requests from standard guideline amounts should consult with experienced family law attorneys. Legal professionals can ensure calculations are accurate, argue for fair treatment of unusual income or expense items, and advocate for appropriate support amounts that serve children's best interests while treating both parents fairly.