The Rates of Child Support and Qualifying & Relevant Children pages help to explain the parameters used for Child Support calculation.
There is a free online calculator, however, please be aware this is a very basic calculator. We can help with more advanced calculations, such as other children resident in your home (as an NRP), etc., as demonstrated below. Alternatively, if you think you have been assessed incorrectly, request a consultation with us, by clicking Request a Consultation.
CMS Calculation using Basic Rate Plus
Scott, the non-resident parent (NRP) is due to pay Child Support to Isabelle, the resident parent (RP) for two qualifying children. Scott lives with his new partner, Tanya, and they have no children together.
Scott is a company director, and pays himself a salary and dividends. His salary is kept below the Lower Earnings Limit (LEL) where employees do not pay National Insurance but get the benefits of paying. In 2020/2021 this is £120 per week. He then takes dividends throughout the year, totalling £36,400 which equates to £700 per week.
Scott’s gross income is £820 per week. The ‘basic rate plus’ of child support applies because his gross weekly income is over £800 per week.
Step One:
Gross weekly income = £820
There is no percentage reduction as there are no relevant other children.
Income between £0 and £800 = £800
Income over £800 = £20
Step Two:
There are two qualifying children, so child support is 16% of £800 plus 12% of the excess above £800 (£20 in this example).
16% of £800 = £128
12% of £20 = £2.40
£128 + £2.40 = £130.40
Scott is due to pay £130.40 child support per week to Isabelle.
If you would like to arrange an initial consultation with us, please click here to talk to us.
Basic rate; reduction in gross income for relevant other children
Number of relevant other children | Percentage by which gross income is reduced |
One | 11% |
Two | 14% |
Three | 16% |
Basic rate; percentages used to calculate Child Support payable are shown below:
Number of qualifying children (including relevant non-resident children) | Percentage of gross income up to £800 | Percentage of gross income above £800 |
One | 12% | 9% |
Two | 16% | 12% |
Three or more | 19% | 15% |
Further examples of calculations can be found by clicking here.
If you would like to arrange an initial consultation with us, please click here or select one of the options below.