Child Support Calculations in Tennessee

Tennessee uses the Income Shares model to calculate child support, governed by the Tennessee Child Support Guidelines (Chapter 1240-02-04) and T.C.A. §36-5-101. The current Guidelines became effective October 1, 2021. Whether you're navigating an uncontested or contested divorce, understanding how Tennessee calculates child support is essential.

The Income Shares Model

Tennessee's Income Shares model determines the Basic Child Support Obligation (BCSO) from the Schedule based on combined adjusted gross income (AGI) and the number of children. The Schedule provides BCSO amounts at $50 increments up to a combined AGI of $28,250/month.

Above the cap: For income exceeding $28,250, add the top-row BCSO plus a percentage of excess income:

• 1 child: $2,231 + 6.81% of income over $28,250
• 2 children: $2,803 + 7.22% of income over $28,250
• 3 children: $2,954 + 7.77% of income over $28,250
• 4 children: $3,294 + 8.05% of income over $28,250
• 5+ children: $3,624 + 8.66% of income over $28,250

Determining Gross Income

"Gross income" includes income from any source:

• Wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, and overtime
• Self-employment net income (minus half of self-employment tax)
• Pensions, retirement, interest, dividends, and trust income
• Workers' comp, unemployment, and disability benefits
• Military allowances (BAH/BAS/VHA)
• SSA/VA benefits paid on a parent's account

Excluded: Means-tested benefits (TANF, SNAP, SSI, LIHEAP) and child support received for other children.

Imputation: If a parent is willfully unemployed or underemployed, courts may impute income. Default imputation figures are $43,761/year (male) and $35,936/year (female) based on Tennessee median incomes.

Parenting-Time Adjustments

Tennessee uses distinct thresholds for the Alternate Residential Parent's (ARP) days per year:

• 92+ days (shared): Variable multiplier reduces ARP's obligation. Formula: multiplier = 0.0109589 × ARP days. The additional expense is credited against the ARP's BCSO share.
• 69-91 days (standard): No parenting-time adjustment applies
• 68 or fewer days (limited): Per-diem increase applies. Formula: (69 - ARP days) ÷ 365 × ARP's BCSO share is added to the obligation.

Split parenting: When each parent has more than 50% time with at least one child, separate calculations are done for each household and offset.

Estimate Your Tennessee Child Support

Use our calculator to get a preliminary estimate. For official calculations, use the Tennessee DHS Child Support Calculator.

Self-Support Reserve (SSR)

Tennessee protects low-income obligors through the Self-Support Reserve:

• SSR amount: $957/month (90% of 2020 federal poverty guideline)
• How it works: If the obligor's AGI falls in the Schedule's "shaded area," compare (a) their pro-rata share of the combined BCSO with (b) the BCSO using only the obligor's income. The lesser amount applies.
• $100 minimum: Presumptive minimum order, with exceptions for SSI-only income or when federal benefits fully meet support

Health Insurance, Childcare, and Add-Ons

Beyond the BCSO, Tennessee adds these expenses (shared pro-rata by income percentage):

• Health insurance: Child's portion of medical/dental/vision premiums
• Work-related childcare: Necessary for employment, education, or vocational training
• Uninsured medical: If recurring and predictable, add monthly; otherwise allocate as incurred
• Extraordinary expenses: Special education/activities exceeding 7% of monthly BCSO (requires deviation findings)

Common Calculation Mistakes

• Wrong parenting-time band: 92+ days triggers reduction; 68 or fewer triggers increase; 69-91 is neutral
• Forgetting the rounding rule: If combined AGI falls between schedule lines, round up to the next line
• Missing the high-income cap: If obligor's net income exceeds $10,000/month, the PRP must prove need for amounts above statutory thresholds (21%/32%/41%/46%/50%)
• Ignoring SSR comparison: Low-income obligors use the lesser of pro-rata share or obligor-only BCSO
• Using outdated tools: Always use current Guidelines (effective October 1, 2021)

Modification and Duration

Tennessee provides pathways to modify support:

• Significant variance: At least 15% difference between current order and recalculated amount
• TANF/IV-D cases: Reviewed at least every 3 years
• Incarceration: Not treated as willful underemployment; agency notifies parties within 15 business days if incarceration exceeds 180 days

Duration: Support ends at age 18. If the child turns 18 while in high school, support continues until graduation or when the child's class graduates, whichever is first. Support may continue for disabled children up to age 21 (or indefinitely for severe disabilities).

Enforcement and Interest

Tennessee provides robust enforcement tools:

• Interest on arrears: 6% per year in non-IV-D cases (court may reduce); in IV-D cases, interest only accrues by court order
• Income withholding: Immediate and presumptive; capped at 50% of net income
• License suspension: Driver's, professional, and recreational licenses for noncompliance
• Tax refund intercepts: State and federal offset programs
• Passport denial: When arrears exceed $2,500

Key Takeaways

• Income Shares model: BCSO from schedule, allocated by income percentage
• $28,250/month cap: Above this, use extrapolation formulas
• Parenting-time thresholds: 92+ days = reduction; 68 or fewer = increase; 69-91 = neutral
• SSR protection: $957/month ensures low-income obligors retain basic income
• $100/month minimum: Presumptive with specific exceptions
• 15% modification threshold: Required variance for modification

For more information about Tennessee divorce processes, see our Tennessee divorce timeline and filing checklist.