How to Use the Vermont Child Support Calculator
Enter what you know and press Calculate Estimate. The calculator follows the Vermont Office of Child Support guidelines and the sole and split custody worksheet instructions.
- Enter each parent's gross monthly income. The calculator converts it to after-tax income with the official tables.
- Choose the number of children and the parent the children live with most of the time.
- Enter the children's health insurance premium and work-related child care, and say who pays them.
- Enter the overnights a year with the other parent, or tick equal shared custody.
Your numbers are sent with the form, not placed in the page address, and this site does not store them. This is a planning estimate. A Vermont magistrate or court sets the actual amount.
Vermont Child Support Guidelines in 2026
Looking for Vermont child support guidelines for 2026? The guideline tables were last updated on January 2, 2024, and the next review is due by January 2, 2028. Some figures change more often:
- The self-support reserve is $1,596 a month from February 2, 2026.
- FICA figures on the OCS reference sheet were updated January 1, 2026.
The Vermont Table of Intact Family Expenditures
Sample rows (combined monthly available income):
| Combined available income | 1 child | 2 children | 3 children |
|---|
| $975-$1,024.99 | $230 | $351 | $424 |
| $1,975-$2,024.99 | $461 | $702 | $848 |
| $3,975-$4,024.99 | $915 | $1,377 | $1,652 |
| $5,975-$6,024.99 | $1,180 | $1,767 | $2,101 |
| $9,975-$10,024.99 | $1,653 | $2,438 | $2,851 |
| $14,975-$15,024.99 | $2,228 | $3,236 | $3,722 |
| $29,975-$30,024.99 | $3,687 | $5,550 | $6,361 |
The table runs from $625 to $30,024.99 a month in $50 steps for one to six children. Above the table the court uses its discretion (15 V.S.A. section 656).
Self-Support Reserve and Low Income
Support may not take the paying parent's available income below the self-support reserve of $1,596 a month. If the guideline amount would, the payable amount is the income above the reserve. If the paying parent's income is below the reserve or the lowest level of the table, the court uses its discretion and must still order a nominal amount.
Shared Custody in Vermont
Under 15 V.S.A. section 657 and the shared custody worksheet, shared custody applies when each parent has the children overnight at least 30% of the year:
- Each parent uses the shared custody conversion table for after-tax income.
- The table amount is multiplied by 1.5 for the cost of two households, plus child care and other costs.
- The parent with less time owes their income share minus the costs they pay directly and a time credit (their percentage of time x 1.5 x the table amount).
- If the result is negative, the other parent pays that amount or $50, whichever is greater. The payment is also compared with the amount without the shared adjustment and the self-support reserve, and the lowest is used.
For 25% to under 30% of the time, a Partial Shared Costs Table adopted by rule applies; this calculator does not include it.
Vermont Child Support Examples
In each example Parent B has the children most of the time. Amounts are monthly and come from this calculator.
Example 1: One child
A earns $5,000 and B earns $3,000 gross. After-tax incomes are $4,001 and $2,882 ($6,883 combined). The table gives $1,268, and A's 58.1% share is $737.07 a month.
Example 2: Two children with insurance and child care
A earns $6,000 and B earns $4,000. B pays $200 insurance, so B's available income is $3,517. The table gives $2,144, plus $600 child care: A pays 56.9% of $2,744, $1,560.74 a month.
Example 3: Equal shared custody
A earns $7,000 and B earns $5,000, two children. The $2,438 table amount x 1.5 is $3,657. A's share of $2,092.69 minus a time credit of $1,828.50 is $264.19 a month.
Example 4: Self-support reserve
A earns $2,200 (available $1,874) and B earns $5,000, one child. A's share is $364.88, but only $278 is above the $1,596 reserve: $278 a month.
These are illustrations produced from the official tables, not court rulings.
Frequently Asked Questions About Vermont Child Support
Is this the official Vermont child support calculator?
No. ChildSupportCalculator.xyz is an independent tool and is not affiliated with the State of Vermont, its courts or the Office of Child Support. It applies the official OCS tables. A magistrate or court sets the actual amount.
Does Vermont use gross or net income for child support?
Both. Gross income is converted to after-tax income with the Office of Child Support conversion table, and the support table uses combined available (after-tax) income.
How is child support calculated in Vermont?
Convert each parent's gross income to after-tax income, subtract health insurance for the children, add the two incomes, read the Table of Intact Family Expenditures, add child care, and multiply by the noncustodial parent's share of income.
What is the self-support reserve in Vermont?
$1,596 a month from February 2, 2026. Support may not reduce the paying parent's available income below this amount.
What is the minimum child support in Vermont?
There is no fixed dollar minimum. When the paying parent's income is below the self-support reserve, the court uses its discretion and must order a nominal amount.
How does 50/50 custody work for child support in Vermont?
When each parent has the children overnight at least 30% of the year, the table amount is multiplied by 1.5, split by income, and the parent with less time gets a credit for their share of time. If the result flips, the other parent pays it or $50, whichever is greater.
Is child care included in Vermont child support?
Yes. Work or education-related child care (annual cost divided by 12, without subsidies or tax credits) is added to the table amount and shared by income.
Is there an income cap for child support in Vermont?
The table ends at $30,024.99 of combined monthly available income. Above that, the court may use its discretion.
When did Vermont last update the child support tables?
The guideline tables were updated January 2, 2024, and the next review is due by January 2, 2028. The self-support reserve was updated February 2, 2026.
Does the Vermont calculator need my personal details or a login?
No. This site needs no login and does not store your numbers.
