Quick answer: In Idaho, income withholding applies once you are one month behind, and a lien and license suspension apply once unpaid support equals 90 days of support or $2,000, whichever is less. Interest at the judgment rate (8.875% for the current fiscal year) applies to money due on a judgment; we found no provision adding it automatically to unpaid installments.
This Idaho child support arrears calculator adds up the unpaid principal, lets you test an interest rate and flags the thresholds in Idaho Code 7-1402 and 32-1205. Federal law adds passport certification above $2,500. Only installments after a motion to modify can change, so file before installments fall due.
Idaho child support arrears at a glance
| Rule | What Idaho says |
|---|---|
| Income withholding | Without a hearing once delinquent by at least one month of support (Idaho Code 32-1205); up to 50% of disposable earnings (32-1210(3)) |
| Lien | A lien arises on a delinquency and can be perfected at 90 days of support or $2,000, whichever is less (7-1206) |
| Licenses | A court or the department may suspend a license for a delinquency of 90 days of support or $2,000, whichever is less, including driver’s, professional, hunting and fishing licenses (7-1402) |
| Credit reporting | Overdue support exceeding $2,000 and at least three months in arrears (7-1206(4)) |
| Other tools | Tax refund intercept, unemployment, veterans and workers’ compensation benefit intercepts (7-1203) |
| Interest | The judgment rate is 5% plus the base rate, 8.875% for the current fiscal year (28-22-104(2)); we found no automatic interest on unpaid installments |
How do child support arrears work in Idaho?
- Interest and method. See the Idaho child support interest rate.
- Collection. See what happens if you do not pay child support in Idaho.
- Time limits and forgiveness. See whether Idaho child support arrears expire or can be forgiven.
What does this arrears calculator check?
You enter the monthly support, the number of installments unpaid and, if you want to test one, an interest rate. By default no interest is added. The calculator flags the one-month withholding trigger, the lien and license threshold, credit reporting and the $2,500 passport threshold. It does not model partial payments. To change the amount going forward, see the Idaho child support modification calculator, and for when the obligation stops, the Idaho child support end date calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Does Idaho charge interest on child support arrears?
The legal rate on money due on a judgment is 5% plus a base rate, 8.875% for the current fiscal year. We found no provision adding interest automatically to unpaid installments, so ask Child Support Services or the court whether your arrears were reduced to a judgment.
When does Idaho start income withholding for unpaid child support?
When the obligor is delinquent by at least one month of support, without a hearing, if the order did not already include immediate withholding.
When can an Idaho license be suspended for unpaid child support?
When unpaid support equals at least 90 days of support or $2,000, whichever is less; the court or the department can act, and licenses include driver's, professional, and hunting and fishing licenses.
Does Idaho put a lien on property for unpaid child support?
Yes. A lien arises on the real and personal property of an obligor with a delinquency in a case the department handles, and it can be perfected at 90 days of support or $2,000, whichever is less.
How much can Idaho withhold from my paycheck for child support?
No more than 50% of disposable earnings, and never more than the limit in section 11-207.
Official sources
- Idaho Code 32-1205: income withholding upon a delinquency
- Idaho Code 32-1210: employer duties; 50% cap
- Idaho Code 7-1402: license suspension definitions
- Idaho Code 7-1206: department lien and credit reporting
- Idaho Code 7-1203: available remedies
- Idaho Code 28-22-104: legal rate of interest
- Idaho State Treasurer: legal rate of interest by fiscal year
- 42 U.S.C. 652(k): denial of passports