Reviewed for current 2026 law
Iowa Child Support Calculator 2026
Apply Court Rules 9.1-9.27 with the current schedule and custody method.
Reviewed by SupportDecode Editorial Team Page content reviewed Sources Methodology Update log
child support calculator
Estimated monthly child support: $1,326.00
The paying parent pays this amount to the receiving parent each month.
| Line item | Amount |
|---|---|
| 2026 basic support obligationIowa Court Rules chapter 9, Child Support Guidelines (July 2026 edition; effective January 1, 2026) (Iowa Judicial Branch / Iowa Legislature) | $2,122.00 |
| Area C proportional obligationIowa Court Rules chapter 9, Child Support Guidelines (July 2026 edition; effective January 1, 2026) (Iowa Judicial Branch / Iowa Legislature) | $1,326.00 |
Assumptions
- Entries are adjusted net monthly income after Iowa Rule 9.5 deductions.
- Childcare, health-insurance allocation, and cash medical support are excluded.
- The ordinary primary-care worksheet applies.
- Income is within the schedule.
- The published child column applies.
Estimate only. The court or state agency calculation controls.
Iowa guidelines, effective 2026-01-01.
Iowa uses adjusted net monthly income
The 2026 schedule runs through $30,000 and separates low-income Areas A and B from combined-income Area C.
Court-ordered overnights earn stepped credits after 127 nights.
Equally shared care instead multiplies each parent primary-care share by 1.5, halves it, and offsets the two amounts.
Worked example: two children
- Combine the parents adjusted net monthly incomes.
- Read the two-child amount from Rule 9.26.
- Allocate the obligation by income share and apply any court-ordered visitation credit.
The steps above follow the calculation method described on our methodology page.
Enter Rule 9.5 adjusted net income
Deduct only the taxes, FICA or allowed pension, fees, dues, insurance, prior support, and qualified-dependent amounts the rule permits.
What this estimate includes
- Complete 2026 schedule
- Area A/B/C rules
- Extraordinary-visitation credits
- Equal-care offset
What it leaves out
- Tax calculation
- Childcare and medical add-ons
- Judicial variance
Iowa child support calculator FAQs
Does Iowa use gross or net income?
The schedule uses adjusted net monthly income after Rule 9.5 deductions.
What is Area A?
Through $1,250, the payer income alone sets the low-income order.
How does Area B work?
Use the lower of the payer-only result and the combined-income proportional result.
When does the overnight credit begin?
At 128 court-ordered overnights.
How is equally shared care different?
Each share is multiplied by 1.5 and 50%, then the obligations are offset.
What happens above $30,000?
The top-row amount is a floor and the court has discretion.
Official sources
Official sources last verified: .
- Iowa Court Rules chapter 9, Child Support Guidelines (July 2026 edition; effective January 1, 2026)
Iowa Judicial Branch / Iowa Legislature Last checked
- Iowa Child Support Estimator, revised January 23, 2026
Iowa Department of Health and Human Services Last checked
Changelog: page reviewed . Material changes appear in the update log.