Quick answer: Iowa uses the income shares model of Iowa Court Rules chapter 9, and it starts from each parent’s adjusted net monthly income: gross income less federal and state income tax (computed with a guidelines method), Social Security and Medicare tax and the other deductions in rule 9.5(2). The combined net income is looked up in the Schedule of Basic Support Obligations (rule 9.26) for the number of children, and the noncustodial parent pays his or her proportional share, adjusted for the children’s health insurance premium. There is a low-income adjustment for parents with very low net incomes, an extraordinary visitation credit above 127 overnights, a separate formula for joint (equally shared) physical care, and a child care expense add-on in some cases.
How the Iowa worksheet works
- Adjusted net monthly income. Gross income less the deductions in rule 9.5(2). See net income and the child care add-on.
- Basic support obligation. The schedule row for the combined income and the number of children, up to $30,000 of combined net income.
- Share and health insurance. The noncustodial parent’s percentage, then the prorated premium.
- Visitation and equal care. The credit above 127 overnights and the joint-care formula. See equally shared care and the visitation credit.
The full walk-through, with a worked example, is in how Iowa calculates child support.
What this calculator needs from you
Enter each parent’s adjusted net monthly income. The guidelines compute the federal and state tax deductions with a prescribed method (filing status, standard deduction, exemptions and credits), so this calculator does not guess your taxes. Split or divided physical care, cash medical support and variances are not included.
Child support across Iowa
The guidelines apply in every Iowa court and in administrative orders, from Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Sioux City, Iowa City or Waterloo. The amount they produce is a rebuttable presumption, and the court may vary from it only with a written finding. Iowa updated the schedule and the worksheets effective January 1, 2026.
Frequently asked questions
How is child support calculated in Iowa?
Under Iowa Court Rules chapter 9, each parent's adjusted net monthly income is combined, the Schedule of Basic Support Obligations gives the basic obligation for the number of children, and the noncustodial parent pays his or her proportional share, adjusted for health insurance.
What is the Iowa extraordinary visitation credit?
A credit of 15%, 20% or 25% of the basic obligation when court-ordered visitation exceeds 127 overnights a year, but it cannot reduce support below $50, $75 or $100.
How does Iowa calculate equally shared physical care?
The basic obligation for the combined income is split by income share, multiplied by 1.5 and by .5 for each parent, and the parent with the larger amount pays the difference.
Does Iowa add child care costs to child support?
In some cases, through a child care expense add-on limited to the noncustodial parent's proportional share and to 50% of that parent's disposable income, presumed to end at the child's 13th birthday.
What is the top of the Iowa child support schedule?
$30,000 of combined adjusted net monthly income; above that the court decides, but not less than the $30,000 amount.