Michigan Child Support Calculator

Estimate MI guideline child support under the Michigan Child Support Formula (MCSF). Uses both parents' net income after MI 4.05% flat state tax. Shared custody offset activates at 128+ overnights. Medical and childcare supplements included.

Updated April 2026 Michigan Child Support Formula (MCSF) Private — runs in your browser

Payor Monthly Gross Income

Non-custodial parent gross income

Payee Monthly Gross Income

Custodial parent gross income

Number of Children

Michigan Child Support (MCSF)

$1,095/mo

Combined Net Income$6,829/mo

Basic Obligation$1,735/mo

Payor Share63.1%

Michigan Child Support Formula (MCSF) uses net income for both parents. MI state income tax rate: 4.05%.

Advanced Calculator

Full MI net income breakdown with 4.05% state tax detail, shared custody offset chart across all overnight levels, and 10-year projection with income growth.

+ Open Advanced Calculator

MI Inputs

Payor Annual Gross Income

Payee Annual Gross Income

Children

Health Insurance/mo

Childcare/mo

Michigan Child Support Formula (MCSF)

$1,524/mo

Combined Net$6,829/mo

Basic Obligation$1,735/mo

Payor Net Share63.1%

Payor Net Income

Gross: $6,500/mo

Fed tax (~22%): −$1,430

FICA (7.65%): −$497

MI tax (4.05%): −$263

Net: $4,310/mo

Payee Net Income

Gross: $3,800/mo

Fed tax (~22%): −$836

FICA (7.65%): −$291

MI tax (4.05%): −$154

Net: $2,519/mo

Professional Simulator

Complete income breakdown for both parents, all MCSF medical supplements (health, dental, childcare, extraordinary medical), custody schedule financial impact, what-if scenarios, and lifetime NPV projection.

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Payor Income — Annual: $78,000

Wages / Salary

Self-Employment Net

Bonuses

Other Income

Payee Income — Annual: $45,600

Wages / Salary

Other Income

Children & Medical Supplements

Children

Health Insurance/mo

Childcare/mo

Extraordinary Medical/mo

Dental Insurance/mo

Michigan Professional Child Support Analysis

$1,599/mo

Net Income (MCSF)

Payor net: $4,310/mo

Payee net: $2,519/mo

Combined net: $6,829/mo

Basic obligation: $1,735/mo

Payor share: 63.1% = $1,095/mo

Medical Supplements

Health ins: +$164/mo

Childcare: +$265/mo

Extraordinary med: +$50/mo

Dental: +$25/mo

Total: $1,599/mo

% of Combined Net23.4%

Annual Obligation$19,194/yr

Payor Net After CS$2,710/mo

How Michigan Child Support Works

Michigan uses the Michigan Child Support Formula (MCSF), an income shares model that considers both parents' net incomes. Michigan's formula is updated periodically by the Michigan Supreme Court and uses actual net income after all applicable taxes including Michigan's flat 4.05% state income tax.

Michigan Net Income Calculation

Michigan calculates net income by subtracting from gross income: federal income tax, FICA (Social Security at 6.2% and Medicare at 1.45%), Michigan state income tax (4.05%), local income taxes where applicable, mandatory union dues, and self-employment tax (for self-employed parents). Michigan's flat state income tax makes calculations more predictable than states with progressive rates.

Shared Custody Offset (128+ Overnights)

Michigan applies a parenting time offset when the payor parent has 128 or more overnights per year (approximately 35%). The formula calculates both parents' theoretical support obligations and offsets them against each other. The result can significantly reduce — or even eliminate — a support payment in cases approaching true 50/50 custody.

Medical Support Supplements

Michigan orders medical support separately from basic child support. This includes health insurance premiums, dental and vision coverage, and extraordinary medical expenses. These are allocated between the parents in proportion to their net incomes. Michigan also requires the payor to pay a portion of uninsured medical expenses based on their income share.

MI Net Income = Gross − Fed Tax − FICA − MI Tax (4.05%) − Union Dues − SE Tax
Combined Net = Payor Net + Payee Net
Basic Obligation = MCSF Table (Combined Net, # Children)
Payor Support = Basic Obligation × (Payor Net ÷ Combined Net) + Medical Supplements

Worked Example

Payor earns $6,500/mo gross. Payee earns $3,800/mo gross. Two children. Standard parenting (76 nights).

Payor Gross$6,500/mo

MI taxes (~33.7%)−$2,191

Payor Net$4,309/mo

Payee Net$2,519/mo

Combined Net$6,828/mo

Basic Obligation (2 children)$1,734/mo

Payor Share (63.1%)$1,094/mo

+ Health + Childcare (63.1%)+$429/mo

Total Monthly Support$1,523/mo

Official Sources & Legal References

Frequently Asked Questions

What income is included in Michigan child support calculations? ▼

Michigan's MCSF includes in gross income: wages, salaries, overtime, commissions, bonuses, tips, net self-employment income, Social Security benefits (including child's Social Security based on payor's disability), pension and retirement income, rental income, interest and dividends, and other recurring income. Income from public assistance programs (SNAP, Medicaid, SSI) is excluded. Michigan courts can impute income to voluntarily unemployed or underemployed parents based on earning potential.

How does the Michigan shared custody offset work? ▼

When the payor parent has 128 or more overnights per year (approximately 35%), Michigan applies a parenting time offset. The formula calculates what the payor would owe the payee AND what the payee would owe the payor if roles were reversed. The net difference between these two theoretical amounts is the actual support payment. At true 50/50 custody (182-183 nights), the basic support obligation can be reduced to zero, though medical and childcare supplements may still apply.

Does Michigan order medical support in addition to child support? ▼

Yes. Michigan orders medical support as supplements to the basic child support obligation. These supplements include: health, dental, and vision insurance premiums (allocated by income share), uninsured medical expenses above a minimum threshold (also allocated by income share), childcare expenses related to employment or education, and extraordinary medical costs. The payor's share of medical supplements is calculated separately from and added to the basic support amount.

When can Michigan child support be modified? ▼

Michigan allows modification when there has been a change in circumstances. Michigan MCL 552.17 requires that the change results in a calculated support amount at least 10% higher or lower than the current order. Michigan also has an automatic review process — parents can request a review after 36 months without proving a change in circumstances. Common triggers include job loss or gain, significant income changes, changes in parenting time, or changes in the children's insurance or childcare costs.

What is the Michigan child support cap? ▼

Michigan's MCSF does not have a hard income cap in the same way as some other states. The formula continues to apply as income increases, though the support percentage tends to decrease as a proportion of income at higher income levels. For very high-income cases, Michigan courts may still apply the formula but may deviate from the guideline amount if it would result in an obligation that far exceeds the children's actual needs. Courts consider the children's standard of living and both parents' standards of living.

When to Consult a Michigan Family Law Attorney

This calculator produces estimates. Consult a licensed Michigan attorney if your case involves: parenting time near the 128-overnight shared custody threshold, self-employment income (MCSF net income calculation differs), medical supplement disputes, modification requests under the 10% threshold, or interstate enforcement under UIFSA.