Pennsylvania does not set a fixed dollar amount for one child

Child support in Pennsylvania is calculated using the Income Shares Model, which means the amount depends on both parents' gross income, not on a preset table. The court takes the combined income of both parents, applies a percentage based on how many children need support, then divides that obligation between parents based on their income split. For one child, that percentage is 17% of combined parental income.

This means two families with identical one-child situations can have completely different support orders. A parent earning $30,000 per year paired with a parent earning $40,000 will owe far less than a parent earning $80,000 paired with one earning $120,000. The actual dollar amount emerges only after the court knows both parents' income.

Pennsylvania law also allows judges to deviate from the standard calculation if they find it unjust or inappropriate. Common reasons include substantial custody time with the paying parent, significant medical expenses, or income that is unusually high or low. A deviation requires written explanation in the court order.

Key Takeaways

  • Child support for one child in Pennsylvania is 17% of the combined gross income of both parents, divided between them based on their individual income shares.
  • There is no flat dollar amount; the order depends entirely on what both parents earn, so you need both income figures to calculate an estimate.
  • The court can order a different amount if the standard calculation would be unjust, and must explain why in writing.
  • Gross income includes wages, self-employment earnings, rental income, and some benefits, but excludes certain items like TANF or SSI.
  • The paying parent's obligation typically continues until the child turns 18, or 19 if still in high school full-time.

What counts as income for the calculation

Pennsylvania's definition of gross income is broad. It includes W-2 wages, self-employment net income, bonuses, commissions, overtime, rental income, interest and dividend income, Social Security benefits (except SSI), unemployment compensation, workers' compensation, and income from pensions or annuities. It also includes alimony received from another relationship.

Income that does not count includes Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), food stamps, housing assistance, and child support received for other children. If a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, the court may impute income — meaning it assigns an income figure based on what the parent could earn — though this requires clear evidence that the choice was deliberate.

Self-employed parents must provide tax returns and business records. The court typically uses net self-employment income (revenue minus legitimate business expenses) rather than gross receipts. If someone is newly self-employed or income fluctuates significantly, the court may average income over multiple years or request current financial statements.

How the 17% calculation works in practice

Here is a concrete example. Parent A earns $35,000 per year. Parent B earns $45,000 per year. Combined income is $80,000. Seventeen percent of $80,000 is $13,600 per year, or about $1,133 per month.

Next, the court determines each parent's share of that obligation based on their income proportion. Parent A earns 43.75% of the combined income ($35,000 ÷ $80,000), so Parent A owes 43.75% of $13,600, which is $5,950 per year or about $496 per month. Parent B earns 56.25% of the combined income, so Parent B owes 56.25% of $13,600, which is $7,650 per year or about $638 per month.

In practice, the parent without primary custody (or with less custody time) typically pays the other parent. If custody is split equally, the parent with higher income usually pays the lower-earning parent. The court order specifies the exact monthly amount and who pays whom.

Income caps and high-income cases

Pennsylvania law sets an income cap for the standard calculation. As of 2024, combined parental income above $17,000 per month (roughly $204,000 per year) is not automatically included in the percentage calculation. However, the court does not ignore high income; instead, it must consider factors like the standard of living the child enjoyed before separation, the non-custodial parent's ability to pay, and the child's actual needs.

For high-income families, the court has discretion to order support above what the 17% formula would produce. There is no legal maximum. A parent earning $500,000 per year could be ordered to pay significantly more than the formula suggests, depending on the child's needs and the judge's reasoning.

Conversely, if combined income falls below a certain threshold (currently around $1,000 per month), the court may order a minimal amount or find that support is not appropriate, though this is rare and requires specific circumstances.

When support starts and stops

Child support typically begins on the date the court order is entered, not retroactively to the date of separation or birth. However, if a parent files a support petition, the court can order retroactive support back to the date the petition was filed, or in some cases back to the date the child was born if the parent never received support before.

Support continues until the child turns 18. If the child is still enrolled in high school full-time, support continues until the child graduates or turns 19, whichever comes first. Support ends automatically on these dates unless the court order specifies otherwise or the child has a disability that prevents self-support.

Either parent can request a modification of the support order if circumstances change significantly — for example, if one parent loses a job, receives a substantial raise, or custody changes. The requesting parent must file a petition with the court and show that the change in circumstances is substantial and continuing.

Deviations from the standard amount

A judge can order a different amount than the 17% formula produces if applying the standard calculation would be unjust or inappropriate. Pennsylvania law lists factors the court must consider when deciding whether to deviate: the child's actual needs, the standard of living before separation, each parent's earning capacity, the impact of custody arrangements on each parent's ability to work, and any other relevant factor.

Common reasons for deviation include one parent having the child more than 40% of the time (which reduces the paying parent's obligation), substantial medical or educational expenses, or a parent's income being so high that the standard percentage would exceed the child's actual needs. A parent cannot simply ask for a deviation; they must present evidence and the judge must write an explanation of why the standard calculation is unjust.

Deviations can go either direction. A court might order less support if the paying parent has significant custody time, or more support if the child has special needs or the paying parent's income is very high relative to the child's needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Pennsylvania have a child support calculator I can use?

Pennsylvania's court system provides a worksheet and guidelines document, but these are tools for understanding the calculation, not official calculators that produce a binding result. You can find the current income shares percentages and caps on the Pennsylvania Court Administration website. To estimate your situation, you need both parents' gross income figures and the number of children.

What if one parent refuses to report their income?

The court can compel income disclosure through interrogatories, subpoenas to employers, or tax return requests. If a parent refuses to comply, the judge can hold them in contempt of court or impute income based on employment history, education, or earning capacity. Hiding income does not eliminate the obligation.

Can child support change if one parent's income changes?

Yes. Either parent can petition for modification if income changes substantially and the change appears to be continuing. A temporary job loss or a one-time bonus typically does not justify modification, but a permanent job change, promotion, or loss of employment usually does. The court will recalculate based on current income and enter a new order.

Does the paying parent get a tax deduction for child support?

No. Child support is not deductible for the paying parent and is not taxable income for the receiving parent. This differs from alimony, which has different tax treatment. The child may be claimed as a dependent by either parent, depending on the custody arrangement and what the support order specifies.

What happens if the paying parent falls behind on support?

Unpaid child support accrues as arrears and the receiving parent can file a contempt petition or request wage garnishment. Pennsylvania's Domestic Relations Section can enforce collection through income withholding, tax refund intercept, or other means. Arrears do not disappear and can follow a parent for years.