Idaho Child Support Calculator & Guide (2025)

Overview of Idaho Child Support

Idaho uses the Income Shares Model under Idaho Code §32-706 and the Idaho Rules of Family Law Procedure (IRFLP) Rule 126. This model is based on the principle that children should receive the same proportion of parental income they would have received if the parents had remained together.

Both parents' gross incomes are combined to determine the total support obligation from the state schedule. Idaho also provides shared custody adjustments and allows for adjustments when a parent has children from other relationships.

How Child Support Is Calculated in Idaho

The Idaho child support formula follows these steps:

1. Determine each parent's gross income: Include wages, salaries, bonuses, commissions, self-employment income, and other sources
2. Combine both parents' incomes to find the total household income
3. Look up the basic obligation on the Idaho income schedule based on combined income and number of children
4. Add health insurance costs for the child and childcare expenses
5. Allocate the total obligation between parents based on their proportional income shares
6. Apply adjustments for shared custody and children from other relationships

Key Factors in Idaho Calculations

Gross Income Definition

Idaho defines gross income as income from all sources, including:

• Wages, salaries, and bonuses
• Commissions and tips
• Self-employment income
• Interest and dividend income
• Rental income
• Social Security benefits
• Workers' compensation and unemployment benefits

Shared Custody Adjustments

Idaho provides adjustments for shared custody arrangements. When parents share significant parenting time, the support calculation accounts for the direct costs each parent incurs. This can reduce the support obligation compared to a sole custody arrangement.

Children from Other Relationships

Idaho allows adjustments when a parent has children from other relationships that they are legally obligated to support. The court considers the parent's total support obligations across all families when determining the current support amount.

Minimum and Maximum Amounts

Minimum: Idaho does not have a fixed statutory minimum. Low-income obligors benefit from the self-support reserve of $1,012/month.

Maximum: The Idaho income schedule extends to $10,000 in combined monthly income. For incomes above this level, the court has discretion to determine an appropriate amount.

Modification and Enforcement

Modification

Idaho allows modification when:

• There has been a material and substantial change in circumstances
• A significant increase or decrease in either parent's income
• A change in custody or parenting time arrangements
• A change in the child's needs

Enforcement

Idaho Child Support Services enforces orders through:

• Income withholding from paychecks
• Tax refund interception (federal and state)
• Driver's license suspension
• Professional license suspension
• Credit bureau reporting
• Contempt of court proceedings
• Liens on property and financial accounts
• Passport denial for arrears over $2,500

Get your Idaho estimate: Use our free child support calculator to see what you might owe or receive under Idaho guidelines, or try the Idaho-specific calculator.