Effective March 1, 2026, New York raised the CSSA combined parental income cap. Here is what it means for your case.
2026 · Maiaklovsky Preval, Esq.
Effective March 1, 2026, New York State increased the combined parental income cap used in the Child Support Standards Act (CSSA) formula from $183,000 to $193,000. If you have an existing child support order, or if you are going through a divorce or custody proceeding now, this change may affect your case.
New York uses a formula-based system under the CSSA (Domestic Relations Law §240 1-b). The court first determines each parent’s gross income, applies certain deductions (including FICA taxes and maintenance paid), and arrives at a combined parental income figure. That combined income is then multiplied by a statutory percentage based on the number of children:
Each parent then pays their proportional share of the total obligation based on their share of combined income.
The CSSA cap — now $193,000 as of March 1, 2026 — is the income level to which the statutory percentage is automatically applied. For combined parental income above $193,000, the court has discretion. It may apply the CSSA percentage to all income, apply it only to income up to the cap, or use a factors-based approach.
What this means in practice: If you and the other parent together earn more than $193,000, what happens to income above that cap is not automatic — it is argued. Having experienced counsel matters significantly in high-income cases.
A change in the statutory cap does not automatically modify your existing child support order. To seek a modification, you generally must show either: (1) a change in circumstances since the last order, (2) that three years have passed since the order was entered or last modified, or (3) that either parent’s gross income has changed by 15% or more.
If your order was entered when the cap was $183,000 and your combined income is near that figure, the increase to $193,000 may or may not be grounds for modification depending on your specific facts.
Also effective March 1, 2026: the income cap used to calculate temporary spousal maintenance increased from $228,000 to $241,000 of the payor’s income. This is the cap used in the statutory maintenance formula for pendente lite (during-the-divorce) support. Post-divorce maintenance involves more judicial discretion.
You can estimate your child support obligation using our free NY Child Support Calculator, which has been updated to reflect the March 2026 cap. The calculator covers CSSA income, deductions, and your proportional share — and includes a high-income notice if your combined income exceeds $193,000.
Attorney Advertising. This article is educational. Child support calculations are fact-specific and subject to judicial discretion. Consult a licensed New York family law attorney for advice on your specific situation.
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