Wisconsin sets child support in Wis. Admin. Code ch. DCF 150, a percentage of the paying parent's gross income: 17% for one child to 34% for five or more. This calculator applies that standard, the reduced percentages for high-income payers, the shared-placement formula when each parent has at least 92 overnights a year, and the Appendix C low-income schedule in effect since March 2026.
Wisconsin Percentage Standard Inputs
Annual gross income from all sources ÷ 12, before taxes
Annual gross income from all sources ÷ 12, before taxes
Out of 365; at least 92 with each parent is shared placement
Estimated monthly child support
$850.00
Parent A (pays support)
Annual amount
$10,200.00
Who pays
Parent A (pays support)
Guideline breakdown
Step
Amount
Parent A's monthly income available for child support
This is a guideline estimate under Wis. Admin. Code §§ DCF 150.035, 150.04 for informational purposes only — it is not legal
advice and not a substitute for the official worksheet or a family-law attorney. Courts can deviate
from guideline amounts based on statutory factors, and inputs like income determination or imputed
income are ultimately decided by the court.
Wisconsin child support at a glance
Model
Percentage of the payer's gross income
Percentages
17%, 25%, 29%, 31%, 34%
High-income tiers
14%–27% from $7,000, 10%–20% above $12,500
Shared placement
At least 92 overnights with each parent
Low-income schedule
$998 to $1,995 a month (2026 poverty guidelines)
Appendix C in effect since
March 2026
Income and the percentage standard
Wisconsin starts from gross income from almost every source, including wages, interest, Social Security, unemployment and employee retirement contributions, divided by 12 to get monthly income available for child support; this calculator takes that monthly figure as entered. In sole placement the parent with less placement time pays a percentage of that income: 17% for one child to 34% for five or more. The other parent's income is not used.
High-income and low-income payers
The full percentages always apply to monthly income below $7,000 ($84,000 a year). The court may apply 14%–27% to income from $7,000 to $12,500 ($150,000 a year) and 10%–20% above $12,500. For payers below 150% of the federal poverty guideline, Appendix C lowers the percentage band by band, from $998 (75% of the 2026 guideline) to $1,995 (150%). This calculator applies the band's percentage to the payer's income; below $998 it uses the first band's 11.22% for one child as an estimate, and the court may order less. Both reductions are the court's choice, so each has a switch.
Shared placement
When both parents have court-ordered placement of at least 25% or 92 overnights a year, each parent's income is multiplied by the percentage, then by 150% for the costs both households duplicate, then by the share of time the children spend with the other parent. The amounts are offset and the parent owing more pays the difference, but never more than their sole-placement percentage amount. The court also divides the children's variable costs, such as child care and activities, by placement time; this calculator leaves them out.
Frequently asked questions
Does Wisconsin use gross or net income for child support?
Gross income. Salary and wages, interest and investment income, Social Security, unemployment insurance, workers' compensation, and employee contributions to retirement accounts all count; means-tested public assistance and child support received do not. Self-employment income is reduced by business expenses the court finds reasonably necessary.
How does shared placement work for child support in Wisconsin?
Shared placement applies when each parent has at least 92 court-ordered overnights a year (25%). Each parent's percentage amount is multiplied by 1.5 and by the other parent's share of time, the two results are offset, and the payer pays the lesser of the offset and their sole-placement amount. Daytime care that includes a meal can count as equivalent care toward the threshold.
What are the high-income percentages in Wisconsin?
Income below $7,000 a month always uses the full percentages. The court may apply 14%–27% to the part from $7,000 to $12,500 and 10%–20% to the part above $12,500, by number of children.
What is the low-income child support schedule in Wisconsin?
Appendix C of DCF 150 sets lower percentages for payers with monthly income from $998 to $1,995, 75% to 150% of the 2026 federal poverty guidelines. The Department of Children and Families revises it every year from the new guidelines; the current schedule took effect March 2026. The court may use it when the payer's total economic circumstances limit the ability to pay.
Does Wisconsin add health insurance or child care to child support?
Not into the percentage. The court assigns the children's health insurance and uncovered medical expenses separately, and in shared placement it divides variable costs such as child care by placement time.
What does this calculator leave out?
Imputed income and other income adjustments, equivalent care, variable costs, support for children from other families (serial-family payers), split placement, health insurance and deviations. DCF 150 Appendix B is the official percentage worksheet.
