How to Calculate Disposable Earnings for Child Support in California

paying child support for your child

California laws about disposable income allow the courts to take up to 50 percent of earned income for child support. The state's child support courts can require non-custodial parents to pay half of their disposable income to support their children. You can do the calculations for disposable earnings for child support in California to see how your earning will be affected.

Instructions

1. Start with the gross income for the month. A person who works 40 hours a week and makes $15 an hour would have a monthly gross income of $2,400.

2. Subtract federal tax, state tax, CA SDI, Social Security and Medicare tax from the gross. A person with a gross income of $2,400, claiming single status with no allowances in California will subtract $266.15 for federal withholding, $60.87 for state, $26.40 for state disability insurance (SDI), $148.80 for Social Security and $34.80 for Medicare. The net pay is $1,862.98.

3. Subtract mandatory retirement payments and union dues, if any of these are subtracted from your gross earnings. For instance, if you contribute $50 to a retirement plan and pay $30 a month for union dues, take the net pay of $1,862.98, and deduct $80 ($50 + $30). Your net pay is now $1,782.98..

4. Find your disposable earnings by dividing your net earnings after deductions in half. For instance, $1,782.98 divided in half will be $891.49. The total of your disposable income for the courts to consider for child support is $891.49.

References

• California Child Support: A Guide for Business