Calculator Inputs
Example Data Table
| Case | Parent 1 Income | Parent 2 Income | Children | Payer Days | Add-On Costs | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | $4,200 | $3,600 | 2 | 80 | $585 | Common order estimate |
| Shared Time | $5,000 | $4,700 | 1 | 150 | $300 | Parenting credit review |
| Higher Costs | $6,500 | $2,800 | 3 | 95 | $950 | Childcare and insurance impact |
Formula Used
Adjusted Gross Income = Gross Income + Child Federal Benefit - Self-Employment Tax - Child Credits.
Combined AGI = Parent 1 AGI + Parent 2 AGI.
Percentage Share = Parent AGI / Combined AGI.
Estimated Basic Support = Interpolated value from the embedded income shares support table.
Payer Obligation = Payer Basic Share + Payer Add-On Share - Direct Expense Credit - Parenting Credit + Deviation.
Final Monthly Payment = Self-support adjusted obligation + monthly arrears payment.
How to Use This Calculator
Enter each parent’s monthly gross income first. Then add federal benefits, self-employment tax, and child-related credits.
Select the number of children and the paying parent. Add the paying parent’s annual parenting days.
Enter childcare, insurance, uninsured medical costs, special expenses, direct payments, deviations, and arrears.
Press the calculate button. The result appears above the form and below the header section.
Use the chart to compare support components. Download the CSV or PDF for review.
About Tennessee Child Support Estimates
Income Shares Method
Tennessee child support uses an income shares idea. Both parents’ incomes matter. The model first estimates what the child may have received if the parents lived together. Then the cost is divided by each parent’s income share. This calculator follows that structure for planning only. It does not replace the official worksheet.
Adjusted Income Review
Start with monthly gross income. Add child federal benefits when they apply. Subtract allowed self-employment tax and child credits. The result is adjusted gross income. The combined adjusted income controls the support table lookup. Higher combined income usually raises the basic obligation. More children also increase the estimated need.
Parenting Time Impact
Parenting days can affect the estimated transfer amount. A parent who has more annual days may receive a credit. The credit recognizes direct costs paid during that time. This page uses a simplified parenting adjustment. Real cases may use exact worksheet rules. Shared, split, and caretaker cases need careful review.
Added Child Costs
Childcare, health insurance, uninsured medical costs, and special expenses can change the result. These items are allocated by income percentage. If the paying parent directly pays an expense, enter that amount as a credit. This prevents the same cost from being counted twice.
Deviations and Reserve
Courts may consider deviations when facts justify them. This calculator lets you add or subtract a monthly deviation. It also includes a self support reserve field. Update that value when official guidance changes. The reserve prevents an estimate from leaving the paying parent with too little income.
Best Use
Use this tool before mediation, budgeting, or document review. Save the result as CSV or PDF. Compare several scenarios. Change parenting days, income, and child costs. Keep records of each version. For a final order, use the official Tennessee worksheet and professional legal guidance.
FAQs
1. Is this calculator official?
No. It is an educational estimator. Tennessee courts and agencies use official worksheets and current rules when setting support orders.
2. What income should I enter?
Enter monthly gross income before taxes. Include wages, salary, commissions, bonuses, and other recurring income when applicable.
3. What are child credits?
Child credits may include support for other children. Exact credits depend on the official worksheet and case facts.
4. Do parenting days change support?
They can. More days may reduce the paying parent’s transfer amount because that parent pays more direct child expenses.
5. What are add-on expenses?
Add-ons include work-related childcare, child health insurance, uninsured medical costs, and special child expenses.
6. What is a deviation?
A deviation is an adjustment from the standard result. Courts may allow it when supported by facts and rules.
7. Why include a self support reserve?
It helps estimate whether the paying parent keeps enough income after support. Update the value using current official guidance.
8. Can I file this result in court?
Do not rely on this result alone. Use the official Tennessee worksheet and consult a qualified professional before filing.