Work out how much child support I'll pay or receive

A formula assessment is the most common form of child support agreement. Parents and non-parent carers can apply to us for a formula assessment.

Based on each parent or non-parent carer's circumstances we work out who pays child support and how much. We collect money from the paying parent and pass it on to the recipient.

A formula assessment is a good option when you want us to decide the child support amount and make sure payments happen.

It is the best option if any of these are true:

• you cannot agree on an amount
• you want us to decide on an amount
• you want us to make sure payments happen and follow up on missed payments
• you do not get on with the other parent
• you do not want to deal with the other person.

It is the only option if you are on Sole Parent Support or an Unsupported Child’s Benefit. You must apply for a formula assessment at the same time you apply for a benefit. The assessed amount will go to Work and Income to help pay for your benefit - you will receive any remaining amount.

We have a formula to work out a child support payment amount. If both people are parents the formula is based on all of these things:

• both parents' incomes
• both parents' living costs
• the amount of time the child is in each parent's care
• the cost of bringing up a child
• the costs of other children in their care.

If the carer is not a parent then their income is not included in the formula.

A parent or non-parent carer applies to us for a child support assessment. After we have made our assessment each person gets a notice saying how much they will get or pay.

The paying parent will usually set up automatic payments. They can also ask us to deduct the payments directly from their salary or wages.

The recipient will start receiving monthly payments into their bank account.

A formula assessment ends when one of these happens:

• a child no longer qualifies, usually when they turn 18
• when both people agree to change to another type of agreement
• when the person or people caring for the child choose to end the agreement.

If both people agree you can switch from a formula assessment to another kind of child support agreement.

If you are on Sole Parent Support or an Unsupported Child's Benefit you must stay on a formula assessment.

You could switch to a voluntary agreement if both people can decide the amount. Inland Revenue will arrange the payments.

You could also choose a private agreement, which is where both people decide the amount and work out arrangements without us.

Voluntary agreement

Private agreement