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Wisconsin Child Support

Percentage of Incomeofficial schedule loaded

Estimate for Wisconsin

Wisconsin uses the Percentage of Income model.

Enter the paying parent’s gross (pre-tax) monthly income.

Estimated monthly support$1,250.00per month
Annual estimate$15,000.00
Effective rate25%
MethodFlat 25% of gross monthly income (2 children)
View calculation breakdown
Statutory rate (2 children)25%
gross monthly income$5,000
Estimated monthly support$1,250

Estimated monthly support by number of children

$8501$1,2502$1,4503$1,5504$1,7005$1,7006+
At the incomes you entered, for 2 children.

§ How Wisconsin calculates support

Wisconsin uses the Percentage of Income Standard in Wis. Admin. Code DCF 150 applied to the paying parent's gross income. Base rates: 17% (1 child), 25% (2), 29% (3), 31% (4), 34% (5+). Notable features: a high-income schedule (reduced rates above $84,000; 10–20% above $150,000), a low-income schedule below 150% of the federal poverty level, shared-placement offset (each parent ≥ 25% overnights) using a 1.5× multiplier, split-placement and serial-family adjustments, and a rebuttable presumption requiring written deviation findings.

Content verified against official sources on 2026-08-09.

✦ How to open or modify a case in Wisconsin

  1. Apply through your county child support agency or online via Child Support Online Services (CSOS); you may apply even if the other parent lives out of state.
  2. Establish parentage if needed.
  3. Calculate the obligation using the DCF 150 percentage standard and worksheets/calculator.
  4. The court enters a support order (the percentage standard is a rebuttable presumption; deviations need written findings).
  5. Payments go through the Wisconsin Child Support Collection Trust Fund (income withholding).
  6. Request a review/modification when income or placement changes, or generally every three years.

◈ Illustrative examples

Illustrative example
Illustrative example — two children, primary placement

Scenario: Paying parent gross income $5,000/month, two children, primary placement with the other parent.

Walk-through: 25% × $5,000 = $1,250/month base (before any deviation or adjustment).

Takeaway: Wisconsin's base percentage for two children is 25% of gross income.

Illustrative example
Illustrative example — shared placement

Scenario: Each parent has the child 50% of overnights; Parent A gross $6,000, Parent B gross $4,000, two children.

Walk-through: Each parent's base: A 25% × $6,000 = $1,500; B 25% × $4,000 = $1,000. The shared-placement formula multiplies by 150% and offsets by time, so the higher earner pays the difference (a reduced transfer versus sole placement).

Takeaway: Shared placement uses both incomes and a 1.5× multiplier; the exact figure requires the DCF 150 worksheet.

? Frequently asked questions

What income is used in Wisconsin?
Gross income before deductions — wages, salary, overtime, commissions, bonuses, self-employment, unemployment, and certain benefits. The court can impute income for voluntary underemployment (but not incarceration).
What if I earn a very high or very low income?
Above $150,000/month-equivalent the high-income schedule uses 10–20% rates; below 150% of the federal poverty level the low-income schedule may apply (and below 75% the court may set a tailored amount).
How does shared placement work?
When each parent has at least 25% of overnights (92+ days), the formula multiplies each parent's obligation by 150% for two households, then offsets by time; the higher earner pays the difference.
What is a serial-family adjustment?
If the paying parent supports children from an earlier relationship, that existing obligation is considered before calculating the later order.
How long does support last?
Until age 18, or 19 if the child is still finishing high school.

↗ Official policy & agency links

Wisconsin Child Support (DCF) ↗Wis. Admin. Code DCF 150 (child support rule) ↗WisLawHelp — Calculating Child Support under WI Percentage Standard ↗

Sources verified: https://childsupport.wisconsin.gov/ · https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/code/admin_code/dcf/150 · https://www.wislawhelp.org/node/357/calculating-child-support-under-wisconsins-percentage-standard · https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/wisconsin/Wis-Admin-Code-SS-DCF-150-035

Statute: Wis. Stat. § 767.511Income basis: grossData last updated: 2026-08-08Next review: 2027-01-01Status: verified schedule

How Wisconsin calculates support

Wisconsin applies a flat percentage of gross income by number of children (17% / 25% / 29% / 31% / 34% for 1–5+ children).

Not legal or financial advice. This estimate follows the state’s statutory guideline formula but cannot capture every factor a court considers (health insurance, childcare, prior orders, deviations, imputed income).