Parenting Time Credit Calculator
Estimate the parenting time credit (adjustment) applied to a child support obligation based on the number of overnight visits the paying parent has with the child per year.
Formula
Parenting Time Percentage: P = Overnights ÷ 365
Tier 1 – Standard (P < 10%): Adjusted Support = Base Support (no credit)
Tier 2 – Partial Credit (10% ≤ P < 30%):
Credit = P × Base Support × 1.5
Adjusted Support = Base Support − Credit
Tier 3 – Shared Custody (30% ≤ P < 50%):
Combined Basic Support = Base Support ÷ Paying Parent's Income Share
Receiving Parent's Obligation = Combined Basic × (1 − Income Share)
Credit = Receiving Parent's Obligation × P
Adjusted Support = Base Support − Credit
Tier 4 – Equal/Majority Time (P ≥ 50%):
Adjusted Support = $0 (obligation may reverse; jurisdiction-specific)
Income Share: Paying Parent's Share = Paying Income ÷ (Paying + Receiving Income)
Assumptions & References
- Based on the Income Shares Model used by the majority of U.S. states for child support calculation.
- The 1.5× multiplier in Tier 2 reflects the recognized additional costs incurred when a child spends time in two households (see OCSE guidelines).
- The 10% threshold (≈ 36 overnights/year) is the common minimum before a parenting time credit is applied.
- The 30% threshold (≈ 109 overnights/year) triggers the shared-custody cross-credit formula in many states (e.g., Colorado, Arizona, Washington).
- At 50% or more overnights, many jurisdictions reduce the obligation to $0 or reverse the direction of payment.
- This calculator uses net income; some states use gross income — adjust inputs accordingly.
- Results are estimates only. Actual child support orders depend on state-specific guidelines, additional expenses (healthcare, childcare), and judicial discretion.
- References: U.S. Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE); Income Shares Model guidelines; state-specific child support worksheets.