PENNSYLVANIA SUPPORT GUIDELINE
Pennsylvania child support calculator & worksheet
Pennsylvania Rules 1910.16-3 and 1910.16-3.1 use monthly net-income schedules, with a different high-income analysis once combined net income leaves the basic schedule.
Current module status
| State | Pennsylvania |
|---|---|
| Status | Active base worksheet module |
| Guideline model | income shares monthly table |
| Primary income field | Combined monthly net income |
How Pennsylvania child support law works
Legal starting point. Pennsylvania Rule 1910.16 uses a monthly net-income schedule and income-share allocation. The rules also provide a separate high-income formula, which means the schedule alone is not the whole calculation for every family. Read Pennsylvania Rule 1910.16-2.
How the guideline is calculated
The basic obligation is selected from combined monthly net income and divided by each parent’s income percentage. High income, support or alimony sequencing, derivative benefits, shared or split custody, additional expenses, low-income treatment, and deviations require the full Pennsylvania analysis.
What this site’s worksheet covers
Uses Pennsylvania Code Rule 1910.16-3 Basic Child Support Schedule, effective January 1, 2026. Rule 1910.16-4 allocates the basic child support obligation by each party’s monthly net-income percentage. For combined monthly net income above $30,000, Rule 1910.16-3.1 applies the presumptive-minimum-plus-percentage high-income formula before income-share apportionment. For more than six children, Rule 1910.16-4(b) adds the difference between the six-child and five-child obligations for each child over six. The adopted shaded schedule uses the lesser of payer-only support and normal allocation. Payer income at or below $1,255 requires actual-resource findings and is withheld. Spousal support/APL sequencing, Social Security derivative benefit credits, substantial/shared custody, split custody, additional expenses and deviations require the full Pennsylvania worksheet.
Documents that make the worksheet more useful
Pennsylvania support computation with net income, reserve, custody, and expense adjustments. Gather the records that support the income, parenting-time, insurance, child-care, and other adjustment entries that apply to the family. The calculator applies the guideline formula described above and identifies any listed worksheet line it does not compute.
For a filing or agreement, complete the official court forms linked on this page. They use the same guideline structure explained here, and the court applies it to the facts of the case.
Before you enter your numbers
Why does Pennsylvania use an income history instead of one pay stub?
Rule 1910.16-2 ordinarily determines monthly gross income from at least a six-month average. The rule then applies permitted deductions to reach net income. Bonuses, variable work, and other income sources can make one paycheck a poor substitute for that history.
Prepare this: Bring at least six months of earnings records and identify irregular payments. Keep the gross-income average and each permitted deduction visible in your calculation notes.
Read the relevant official instructions: Pennsylvania Rule 1910.16-2.
These preparation notes explain one part of the state guideline. A new estimate does not change an existing order; a modification request does.
How Pennsylvania cases actually get to a number
Compute each parent’s monthly net income under Rule 1910.16-2, combine, and use the basic schedule or the high-income formula as appropriate. Melson-style claims and other deviations are separate from the schedule lookup.
Pennsylvania Rules 1910.16-3 and 1910.16-3.1 use monthly net-income schedules, with a different high-income analysis once combined net income leaves the basic schedule. That is a different path from neighboring states that use another model, so do not import a table, percentage, or overnight credit from somewhere else.
Parenting time in Pennsylvania
Shared-custody adjustments in Pennsylvania depend on the overnight arrangement and the rules’ formulas. A 50/50 label does not automatically invoke the high-income rule or cancel support.
Costs Pennsylvania usually treats separately
- Child-care costs
- Health-insurance premiums
- Unreimbursed medical expenses
- Private-school expenses only with a basis
When Pennsylvania courts leave the guideline
High-income cases leave the basic schedule. Low-income and other Rule 1910.16-5 factors require findings. Do not stay on the last basic-schedule row out of convenience.
Official Pennsylvania forms to keep beside this guide
Pennsylvania support computation with net income, reserve, custody, and expense adjustments. The calculator applies the guideline formula described above and identifies any listed worksheet line it does not compute. The primary authority is the published Pennsylvania source. Fill the official form from source documents. Use this page only to check that you chose the right Pennsylvania path—primary versus shared, table versus percentage, add-ons versus basic support.
Where this is typically filed
The domestic-relations section of the court of common pleas hears these cases. Use the current support-guidelines schedule in the Rules of Civil Procedure.
Questions specific to Pennsylvania
When does the high-income rule apply?
When combined monthly net income exceeds the basic schedule. Rule 1910.16-3.1 then applies.
Net or gross?
Pennsylvania’s schedules use monthly net income after Rule 1910.16-2 deductions.
Are bonuses counted?
Recurring additional income can be included. Irregular amounts may be averaged or treated separately.
Run the calculator
Open the free support calculator, select Pennsylvania, complete the state worksheet, and print or export the output for review.