Calculation is client-side, income figures are never transmitted or stored.
How District of Columbia Child Support Is Calculated
- The District of Columbia's child support schedule and worksheet operate in ANNUAL dollars, unlike most states. Add both parents' annual adjusted gross income to get combined income, then look up the Schedule of Basic Child Support Obligations for the total number of children.
- Each parent's share of that amount (plus annual childcare and health insurance costs) is their percentage of combined annual income.
- If the paying parent's own annual income is below the Self-Support Reserve (about $19,800/year, 133% of the one-person federal poverty guideline, updated every 2 years), the court individualizes the amount instead of using the schedule, with a presumption that the parent can pay $75/month.
- The total obligation, including add-ons, may never exceed 35% of the paying parent's adjusted gross income.
- Above $240,000/year combined income, the guideline does not apply presumptively -- courts determine the amount case-by-case.
District of Columbia Child Support Worksheet Walkthrough
Example: Parent A has annual adjusted gross income of $36,000, Parent B has annual adjusted gross income of $24,000 (combined $60,000). There are two children, who live primarily with Parent B.
- Combined annual adjusted gross income: $36,000 + $24,000 = $60,000.
- Schedule of Basic Child Support Obligations at $60,000 combined, two children: $14,638/year.
- Parent A's income share: $36,000 / $60,000 = 60%.
- Parent A's annual share: $14,638 x 60% = $8,783.
- Converted to monthly: $8,783 / 12 = $732/month.
How This Calculator Works — Formula & Constants
Source: DC Law Library — D.C. Code §§ 16-916.01, 16-916.01a · Calcul déterministe — no AI, no arbitrary estimate.
Constants used
| Constant | Value | Source |
|---|
Formula
base_obligation = schedule_lookup(combined_income, children)
share_B = parentB_income / combined_income
total_obligation = base_obligation + childcare_cost + health_insurance_cost
obligation_B = total_obligation × share_B
Deterministic calculation based on District of Columbia's official guideline schedule table. Verify against District of Columbia's official calculator for a court-ready figure.
FAQ
How is child support calculated in District of Columbia?
The District of Columbia's child support schedule and worksheet operate in ANNUAL dollars, unlike most states. Add both parents' annual adjusted gross income to get combined income, then look up the Schedule of Basic Child Support Obligations for the total number of children. Each parent's share of that amount (plus annual childcare and health insurance costs) is their percentage of combined annual income. If the paying parent's own annual income is below the Self-Support Reserve (about $19,800/year, 133% of the one-person federal poverty guideline, updated every 2 years), the court individualizes the amount instead of using the schedule, with a presumption that the parent can pay $75/month. The total obligation, including add-ons, may never exceed 35% of the paying parent's adjusted gross income. Above $240,000/year combined income, the guideline does not apply presumptively -- courts determine the amount case-by-case.
Does DC use monthly or annual income for child support?
Annual. Unlike most states, the District of Columbia's Schedule of Basic Child Support Obligations and worksheet are built entirely around yearly dollar figures -- this calculator asks for annual income and converts the final result to a monthly amount for display.
What is DC's Self-Support Reserve?
133% of the one-person federal poverty guideline, updated every two years by the Mayor (approximately $19,800/year as of the most recent update). Below this threshold, courts individualize the paying parent's obligation rather than applying the schedule directly, with a presumption that the parent can pay $75/month.
Is there a cap on DC child support as a percentage of income?
Yes. D.C. Code 16-916.01(n) caps the total child support obligation, including add-ons like childcare and health insurance, at 35% of the paying parent's adjusted gross income.
Methodology & Source
Formula model: dc annual shares. Effective 2016-01-01, guideline version 2016-DC-v1, last reviewed 2026-07-13.
Official source: DC Law Library — D.C. Code §§ 16-916.01, 16-916.01a (D.C. Code §§ 16-916.01, 16-916.01a).
Income figures in this calculator are ANNUAL (D.C.'s schedule and worksheet operate in yearly dollars, unlike most states) -- the result is converted to a monthly figure for display. This calculator does not model the separate 'modified self-support reserve' comparison (D.C. Code 16-916.01(g-2), an additional ability-to-pay tier with its own reserve figure and a maximum-ability-to-pay calculation) -- it applies only the standard Self-Support Reserve and presumptive minimum. It also does not model Shared Physical Custody (Worksheet B, when both parents have substantial parenting time) or Split Custody. Above $240,000/year combined adjusted gross income, D.C.'s guideline does not apply presumptively -- courts determine the amount case-by-case.
Guideline figures transcribed from the primary source above and cross-checked against District of Columbia's official calculator/worksheet for multiple test scenarios — see our verification methodology.