How child support is calculated in Mississippi
How the guideline works, what the official calculator needs, and the low-income and health insurance rules.
Checked against official sources: Oct 25, 2026.
Short answer
Mississippi figures child support as a percentage of the paying parent's income: 14% for 1 child, 20% for 2 and 22% for 3. Support is a percentage of the paying parent's adjusted gross income: gross income minus taxes, Social Security and mandatory retirement contributions, and any court-ordered support for other children.
- Model
- Percentage of income
- 1 child
- 14%
- Official calculator
- Official Mississippi child support guidelines
Work out a starting number for Mississippi
Enter the income and the number of children. We apply Mississippi's guideline percentage. It is a starting point, not the amount a court or agency will order.
How Mississippi's formula works
Support is a percentage of the paying parent's adjusted gross income: gross income minus taxes, Social Security and mandatory retirement contributions, and any court-ordered support for other children. The monthly amount is that income times the percentage for the number of children.
Law: Miss. Code Ann. §§43-19-101, 43-19-103
1 child 14%; 2 children 20%; 3 children 22%; 4 children 24%; 5 or more children 26% of adjusted gross income
The child's health costs in Mississippi
Every support order must include reasonable medical support. The court must make findings on whether health insurance is available to the parties and what it costs, and then provide for coverage or, if it isn't available at a reasonable cost, for payment of the child's medical expenses.
Law: Miss. Code Ann. §43-19-101(6)
What the model means
In a percentage-of-income state, the guideline starts from the paying parent's income and takes a set percentage for the number of children. Other costs and rules can raise or lower it.
Every state must have one set of child support guidelines, review them at least every 4 years, and use the guideline amount unless a written finding says it would be unjust.
Law: 45 CFR 302.56
Low incomes in Mississippi
If the paying parent's adjusted gross income is under $10,000 or over $100,000 a year, the court must make a written finding on whether using the guidelines is reasonable.
Law: Miss. Code Ann. §43-19-101(4)
State guidelines may not treat time in jail or prison as choosing not to work, when support is set or changed.
Law: 45 CFR 302.56(c)(3)
In nearby states
- Texas: Percentage of income · 1 child 20%
- Wisconsin: Percentage of income · 1 child 17%
- New York: Percentage of income · 1 child 17%
- North Dakota: Percentage of income
From income to an order in Mississippi
Gather income papers
The formula needs each parent's income: use pay stubs and tax returns.
Run the official numbers
The official number comes from Official Mississippi child support guidelines.
Count health and child care
The child's health insurance and child care costs can change the amount.
Ask for an order
The agency can set up an order: contact Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS), Division of Child Support Enforcement (877-882-4916) · Apply online
Get help
Ask for free help: North Mississippi Rural Legal Services (northern 39 counties) and Mississippi Center for Legal Services.
Free help in Mississippi
Questions about the Mississippi guidelines
How does Mississippi figure child support?
Support is a percentage of the paying parent's adjusted gross income: gross income minus taxes, Social Security and mandatory retirement contributions, and any court-ordered support for other children. The monthly amount is that income times the percentage for the number of children.
How much of income goes to child support in Mississippi?
1 child 14%; 2 children 20%; 3 children 22%; 4 children 24%; 5 or more children 26% of adjusted gross income
How does Mississippi treat low incomes?
If the paying parent's adjusted gross income is under $10,000 or over $100,000 a year, the court must make a written finding on whether using the guidelines is reasonable.
How are medical costs shared in Mississippi?
Every support order must include reasonable medical support. The court must make findings on whether health insurance is available to the parties and what it costs, and then provide for coverage or, if it isn't available at a reasonable cost, for payment of the child's medical expenses.