What types of income count for child support?

Income for child support includes wages, self-employment income, bonuses, commissions, rental income, investment returns, retirement payments, trust distributions, royalties, and business perks like company cars or housing allowances.

Does business income count for child support?

Yes. Business income, including profits, distributions, and owner benefits like personal expenses paid by the business, all count as income for child support calculations. Courts can look through business structures to find the true income available to the parent.

Does a new spouse's income count for child support?

In most states, a new spouse's income is not directly counted. However, it may be considered if it reduces the parent's necessary expenses, effectively freeing up more of their income for child support.

What Counts as Income for Child Support

Courts define income much more broadly than most people realize. If your ex has income sources beyond a regular paycheck, they may owe more in child support.

Employment Income

The most straightforward income type. This includes:

Wages and salary - regular paychecks from an employer
Overtime pay - courts may include regular overtime if it is consistent
Bonuses - annual, quarterly, or performance bonuses
Commissions - sales commissions and incentive pay
Tips - reported and unreported tip income
Severance pay

Self-Employment and Business Income

This is where income hiding is most common. If your ex owns or operates a business, courts can consider:

Business profits - net income after legitimate business expenses
Distributions and draws - money taken from the business
Owner benefits - personal expenses paid by the business (car payments, phone, meals, travel)
Retained earnings - in some cases, profits left in the business to avoid showing personal income
1099 income - freelance, contract, and gig work

Courts can "pierce the corporate veil" - looking past business structures to find the true income available to a parent. Simply routing income through an LLC or corporation does not hide it from child support calculations.

Investment and Passive Income

Rental income - from investment properties, Airbnb, etc.
Dividends - from stocks and mutual funds
Interest income - from savings, CDs, bonds
Capital gains - profits from selling investments
Royalties - from intellectual property, music, books, patents
Trust distributions - regular payments from trusts

Other Income Sources

Retirement and pension payments
Social Security benefits (disability, retirement - not SSI)
Workers' compensation
Unemployment benefits
Veterans' benefits (in some states)
Alimony received from a prior marriage
Lottery and gambling winnings
Prizes and awards

What Usually Does NOT Count

Most states exclude these from child support income calculations:

Means-tested public benefits - SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, SSI
New spouse's income - in most states, though it may be considered indirectly
Child support received for other children
Foster care payments
Adoption assistance

Hidden Income Red Flags

These signs may indicate your ex has income they are not reporting:

Their lifestyle does not match their reported income
They started a business or switched to self-employment
They made large purchases (house, car, boat) on supposedly low income
They claim business expenses that look personal
They have a cash-heavy business
Their tax returns show deductions that seem excessive

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This information is for educational purposes only and is not legal advice. Income definitions for child support vary by state. Consult a licensed attorney for advice specific to your situation.