Iowa Child Support Calculator

Iowa uses the income shares model: both parents' incomes are combined, a basic support obligation is determined from the state's guideline schedule, and each parent is responsible for their proportional share. The parent without primary custody typically pays their share to the other household. The guideline is set by Iowa Ct. R. ch. 9.

No — this is a guideline estimate. Courts start from the guideline amount but can deviate for factors like extraordinary medical costs, special needs, other support obligations, or agreements between parents. For an official figure, consult your court’s self-help center or a family law attorney.

In most states, including under most guideline models, substantial parenting time (often above roughly 20–30% of overnights) reduces the paying parent's obligation. Our calculator applies a simplified parenting-time adjustment; Iowa's courts apply their own specific rules, so treat shared-custody results as rough estimates.

Generally all income: wages, self-employment, bonuses, commissions, and often investment income. Iowa's guideline applies to net (after-tax) income — our calculator approximates net income from the gross figures you enter. Courts may also impute income to a parent who is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed.