Alaska calculates child support using Civil Rule 90.3, which applies a percentage-of-income formula to the noncustodial parent's adjusted annual income. For one child, the noncustodial parent pays 20% of adjusted income; for two children, 27%; for three children, 33%, with an additional 3% for each child beyond three. The maximum adjusted annual income used for calculations is capped at $138,000, and the minimum monthly support amount is $50. This guide explains how to use the Alaska child support calculator, including step-by-step instructions for primary custody, shared custody (30% or more overnights), and divided custody arrangements.
| Key Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Governing Law | Alaska Civil Rule 90.3 |
| Calculation Method | Percentage of Income Model |
| One Child | 20% of adjusted income |
| Two Children | 27% of adjusted income |
| Three Children | 33% of adjusted income |
| Income Cap | $138,000 adjusted annual income |
| Minimum Support | $50 per month |
| Shared Custody Threshold | 30% of overnights (110 nights/year) |
| Low-Income Deduction | $7,500 if income is $30,000 or less |
| Modification Filing Fee | $75 (or free if agreed) |
What Is the Alaska Child Support Calculator and How Does It Work
The Alaska child support calculator is an official online tool provided by the Alaska Child Support Services Division (CSSD) that estimates monthly child support obligations based on Civil Rule 90.3 guidelines. The calculator requires you to enter gross income, allowable deductions, number of children, and custody arrangement type to produce an estimated support amount. You can access this tool at the CSSD Client Portal by clicking "Estimate Child Support Payment" and selecting "bypass" to use as a guest without login credentials.
The Alaska child support calculator applies specific percentages established under Civil Rule 90.3: 20% for one child, 27% for two children, 33% for three children, and an additional 3% for each child thereafter. These percentages are applied to the noncustodial parent's adjusted annual income after allowable deductions. The formula differs based on whether the parenting arrangement is primary custody (one parent has the child 70% or more of overnights), shared custody (each parent has at least 30% of overnights), divided custody (each parent has primary custody of at least one child), or hybrid custody (a combination of arrangements).
Primary Custody Calculation Steps
In primary custody situations where one parent has the child for 256 or more overnights per year (70% or greater), the child support worksheet follows these steps:
- Calculate the noncustodial parent's total annual gross income from all sources
- Subtract allowable deductions (taxes, mandatory retirement up to 7.5%, health insurance premiums up to 10% of income, support for prior children, and union dues)
- Apply the low-income adjustment if total income is $30,000 or less (subtract $7,500 or actual deductions, whichever is greater)
- Apply the high-income cap of $138,000 if adjusted income exceeds this amount
- Multiply the adjusted income by the applicable percentage (20% for one child, 27% for two, 33% for three)
- Divide by 12 to determine monthly support obligation
Shared Custody Calculation (30% or More Overnights)
Shared custody under Civil Rule 90.3(b)(2) applies when each parent has physical custody of the children for at least 30% of overnights during the year, which equals 110 overnights annually. The shared custody child support calculation uses a different formula than primary custody:
- Calculate what each parent would owe the other if the other parent had primary custody
- Determine which parent has the larger calculated amount (this parent becomes the obligor)
- Subtract the smaller figure from the larger figure
- Multiply the difference by 1.5 to account for the increased costs of maintaining two households
For example, if Parent A would owe $800/month in a primary custody scenario and Parent B would owe $500/month, the difference is $300. Multiplied by 1.5, Parent A owes Parent B $450 per month. This calculation accounts for both parents sharing substantial parenting time while recognizing income disparities.
How to Access and Use the Official Alaska Child Support Calculator
The Alaska Child Support Services Division (CSSD) provides the official child support calculator accessible at webapp.state.ak.us/cssd/guidelinecalc/login. To use this child support estimator without creating an account, click "bypass" on the login screen to access the guest calculator. The tool walks you through entering income information, deductions, number of children, and custody arrangement type to produce an estimated monthly support amount based on Civil Rule 90.3 guidelines.
Before using the Alaska child support calculator, gather these required documents:
- Federal income tax returns for the past two years
- W-2 wage statements from all employers
- Pay stubs for the past three months (minimum)
- Documentation of any self-employment income
- Proof of mandatory retirement contributions
- Health insurance premium statements
- Evidence of support payments for other children
- Parenting plan or custody order showing overnight schedule
Step-by-Step Calculator Instructions
- Navigate to the CSSD calculator and click "bypass" for guest access
- Select your custody arrangement type (primary, shared, divided, or hybrid)
- Enter the noncustodial parent's gross annual income from all sources
- Input allowable deductions including federal/state taxes, Social Security, Medicare, mandatory retirement (up to 7.5%), health insurance premiums (up to 10% of income), union dues, and support for prior children
- If gross income is $30,000 or less, the calculator applies the low-income adjustment automatically
- If adjusted income exceeds $138,000, the calculator caps the calculation at that amount
- Enter the number of children requiring support
- For shared custody, enter each parent's income and overnight percentage
- Review the calculated monthly support amount
Understanding Adjusted Income Under Civil Rule 90.3
Adjusted income under Civil Rule 90.3(a)(1) is the gross income minus specific allowable deductions that Alaska courts recognize. The adjusted income figure serves as the base for applying child support percentages. Alaska uses a limited list of deductions, and parents must provide evidence supporting each claimed deduction. Understanding what qualifies as income and what deductions are permitted is essential for accurate child support calculator results.
What Counts as Gross Income
Alaska Civil Rule 90.3 defines income broadly to include virtually all sources of earnings and benefits:
- Wages, salaries, commissions, and bonuses
- Self-employment income (gross receipts minus ordinary business expenses)
- Rental income and investment returns
- Retirement and pension distributions
- Social Security benefits (except SSI)
- Workers' compensation and disability payments
- Unemployment insurance benefits
- Military allowances for housing and subsistence
- Dividends, interest, and capital gains
- Alimony received from a prior relationship
Public benefits received based solely on need, including Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Alaska Temporary Assistance Program (ATAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and food stamps, do not count as income for child support purposes under Civil Rule 90.3.
Allowable Deductions
Alaska permits only a limited number of deductions from gross income under Civil Rule 90.3(a)(1):
| Deduction Type | Maximum Limit |
|---|---|
| Federal income taxes | Actual amount paid |
| State income taxes | Actual amount paid |
| Social Security taxes (FICA) | 7.65% of wages |
| Mandatory retirement contributions | Combined with voluntary cannot exceed 7.5% of gross wages |
| Voluntary retirement contributions | Combined with mandatory cannot exceed 7.5% of gross wages |
| Mandatory union dues | Actual amount paid |
| Health insurance premiums (self only) | Up to 10% of total income |
| Support for prior children | Actual amount paid under court order |
| Life insurance premiums | When beneficiary is child or other parent |
Low-Income and High-Income Adjustments
Alaska Civil Rule 90.3 provides special adjustments at both ends of the income spectrum:
Low-Income Adjustment: If the parent's total gross income is $30,000 or less, Alaska allows a guaranteed minimum deduction of $7,500. This means if actual deductions are less than $7,500, the parent can deduct $7,500 from gross income before calculating support. This adjustment reduces the support burden on parents with limited earning capacity while maintaining the $50 minimum monthly support.
High-Income Cap: Under Civil Rule 90.3(c)(2), the maximum adjusted annual income used for calculating child support is $138,000. If a parent's adjusted income exceeds $138,000, courts use $138,000 as the base. For one child, this cap produces a maximum calculated support of $27,600 annually ($2,300 monthly) at the 20% rate. Parents with incomes above $138,000 may petition for additional support beyond the formula, but the court applies the standard calculation as the baseline.
Types of Custody Arrangements and Their Impact on Child Support
Alaska Civil Rule 90.3 recognizes four custody arrangements, each with distinct calculation formulas: primary custody, shared custody, divided custody, and hybrid custody. The custody arrangement directly affects which child support worksheet you use and how the Alaska child support calculator determines the support amount. Overnights serve as the primary metric for determining custody type, with 110 overnights (30%) being the threshold between primary and shared custody.
Primary Physical Custody (One Parent Has 70%+ Overnights)
Primary physical custody applies when one parent has the child for 256 or more overnights per year, representing 70% or greater parenting time. In this arrangement, only the noncustodial parent's income is used to calculate support. The custodial parent's income is not considered in primary custody situations under the standard formula.
Example calculation for primary custody with one child:
- Noncustodial parent's gross annual income: $60,000
- Allowable deductions (taxes, retirement, insurance): $15,000
- Adjusted annual income: $45,000
- Child support percentage for one child: 20%
- Annual support obligation: $9,000 ($45,000 x 0.20)
- Monthly support payment: $750
Shared Physical Custody (Each Parent Has 30%+ Overnights)
Shared physical custody under Civil Rule 90.3(b)(2) applies when each parent has the children for at least 30% of overnights annually (110 nights). The shared custody formula considers both parents' incomes and applies a 1.5 multiplier to account for increased household costs when children spend substantial time in two homes.
Shared custody calculation process:
- Calculate Parent A's hypothetical support as if Parent B had primary custody
- Calculate Parent B's hypothetical support as if Parent A had primary custody
- Find the difference between these two amounts
- Multiply the difference by 1.5
- The parent with the higher hypothetical amount pays this adjusted figure
Example: Parent A would owe $1,000/month; Parent B would owe $400/month. Difference: $600. Multiplied by 1.5: $900. Parent A pays Parent B $900 per month.
Divided Physical Custody (Each Parent Has Primary Custody of at Least One Child)
Divided custody occurs when parents have multiple children and each parent has primary physical custody of at least one child. Under Civil Rule 90.3(b)(3), the calculation treats each child separately, determining what each parent would owe for the children in the other parent's care, then offsetting the amounts.
Hybrid Custody (Combination of Arrangements)
Hybrid custody applies when families have multiple children with different custody arrangements for different children, such as one child in shared custody and another in primary custody with one parent. Form DR-308 addresses hybrid custody calculations, which require multiple worksheets combined according to Civil Rule 90.3(b)(4).
How to Modify an Alaska Child Support Order
Alaska allows child support modification when there has been a material change in circumstances since the original order was issued. A 15% or greater change in the calculated support amount qualifies as a material change under Civil Rule 90.3 commentary. Parents can request modification through either Alaska Child Support Services Division (CSSD) if CSSD issued the original order, or through the Alaska Superior Court if a court issued the order. CSSD does not modify court orders.
Qualifying changes of circumstances include:
- Income increase or decrease of either parent resulting in a 15% or greater support change
- Job loss, termination, or retirement
- Change in custody arrangement from primary to shared or vice versa
- Addition of children from another relationship requiring support
- Three-year review eligibility (three or more years since last income review)
- Change in health insurance costs or availability
- Child becoming emancipated or turning 19 (age of majority in Alaska)
Filing a Motion to Modify in Court
For court-issued orders, file a Motion to Modify Child Support using Form DR-700 with the Alaska Superior Court. The filing fee is $75 as of March 2026 (verify with local clerk). If both parents agree to the modification, the filing is free. Include recent income documentation: tax returns for two years, W-2s, and three months of pay stubs.
CSSD Modification Process
For CSSD-issued administrative orders, contact CSSD by phone at (907) 269-6900, email, or mail to request modification review. Provide federal tax returns for the past two years, W-2 statements, three months of pay stubs, and proof of current health insurance. CSSD modifications can take up to six months but may complete faster if all information arrives promptly and neither parent appeals. Child support modifications are not retroactive, so filing promptly when circumstances change is essential.
Common Mistakes When Using the Alaska Child Support Calculator
Parents frequently make calculation errors that result in inaccurate child support estimates when using the Alaska child support calculator. Understanding these common mistakes helps ensure your calculation matches what courts will order under Civil Rule 90.3. The most frequent errors involve income reporting, deduction claims, and custody classification.
Income Calculation Errors
- Omitting self-employment income or business distributions
- Excluding bonuses, commissions, or overtime that occur regularly
- Failing to include rental income or investment returns
- Understating military housing and subsistence allowances
- Not counting retirement distributions as income
- Deducting business expenses that are not ordinary and necessary
Deduction Mistakes
- Claiming voluntary retirement contributions exceeding the 7.5% combined limit
- Deducting health insurance premiums beyond 10% of income
- Including health insurance costs for the children (these are addressed separately after support calculation)
- Claiming housing, food, or personal expenses as deductions
- Deducting support for children not covered by a court order
- Failing to provide documentation supporting claimed deductions
Custody Classification Errors
- Counting daytime visits as overnights for the 30% shared custody threshold
- Misunderstanding that 110 overnights equals the 30% threshold (not 30% of 365)
- Using shared custody formula when one parent has fewer than 110 overnights
- Not recalculating when the agreed parenting schedule is not being followed
Alaska Child Support Enforcement and Collection
Alaska Child Support Services Division (CSSD) enforces and collects child support payments through multiple mechanisms. CSSD offers income withholding orders sent directly to employers, tax refund intercepts from federal and state returns, suspension of driver's licenses and professional licenses, liens on real property and bank accounts, and credit bureau reporting. Parents owing child support can call CSSD Customer Service at (907) 269-6900 for payment information and account balances.
CSSD charges an annual service fee of $35 when more than $550 in support has been collected during the federal fiscal year (October 1 through September 30). This fee is deducted from collected support payments. Payments can be made through wage withholding, the CSSD online payment portal, money orders, or cashier's checks. Personal checks are generally not accepted for current support payments.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Alaska Child Support Calculator
How do I calculate child support in Alaska for one child?
To calculate child support in Alaska for one child, multiply the noncustodial parent's adjusted annual income by 20% under Civil Rule 90.3, then divide by 12 for the monthly amount. For example, $48,000 adjusted annual income multiplied by 20% equals $9,600 annually or $800 per month in child support.
What percentage of income is child support in Alaska for two children?
Alaska requires 27% of adjusted annual income for child support when there are two children under Civil Rule 90.3. For a parent with $60,000 in adjusted income, child support would be $16,200 annually ($1,350 monthly). The percentage increases by 3% for each additional child: 33% for three children, 36% for four.
Is there a maximum income cap for Alaska child support calculations?
Yes, Alaska caps the adjusted annual income used for child support calculations at $138,000 under Civil Rule 90.3(c)(2). For one child, this produces a maximum calculated support of $27,600 annually ($2,300 monthly) at 20%. Courts may deviate upward from this amount for good cause but use the capped calculation as the baseline.
What is the minimum child support payment in Alaska?
The minimum child support amount in Alaska is $50 per month. If the Civil Rule 90.3 calculation results in a support amount below $50, the court will order $50 as the minimum monthly payment. This ensures all children receive some financial support regardless of the obligor's income level.
How does shared custody affect child support in Alaska?
Shared custody applies when each parent has the children for at least 30% of overnights (110 nights annually). Under this arrangement, both parents' incomes are calculated using the primary custody formula, the difference is determined, and multiplied by 1.5. The parent with higher income typically pays the adjusted difference to the other parent.
Can I use the Alaska child support calculator if I am self-employed?
Yes, self-employed parents can use the Alaska child support calculator by entering gross self-employment receipts minus ordinary and necessary business expenses. Courts may impute income to self-employed parents who underreport earnings. Keep detailed records of income and expenses, as courts scrutinize self-employment figures closely under Civil Rule 90.3.
How often can I request a child support modification in Alaska?
Alaska allows modification requests whenever there is a material change in circumstances, typically a 15% or greater change in calculated support. Additionally, either parent may request a three-year review if income has not been evaluated within the past three years. There is no statutory limit on modification frequency, but courts may deny requests lacking substantial changed circumstances.
What happens if a parent does not meet the 30% shared custody threshold?
If a parent fails to exercise the 30% (110 overnights) required for shared custody as agreed in the parenting plan, the other parent can file a Motion to Modify to recalculate support using the primary custody formula. Courts will adjust the support order to reflect actual parenting time rather than the agreed schedule when there is a significant discrepancy.
Does the Alaska child support calculator include health insurance costs?
The child support calculator accounts for the parent's own health insurance premiums (up to 10% of income) as a deduction from gross income. However, the children's health insurance costs are addressed separately after calculating base support. The court order will specify how parents divide children's insurance premiums and out-of-pocket medical expenses.
How long does child support last in Alaska?
Child support in Alaska continues until the child turns 19, which is the age of majority in Alaska. Support may end earlier if the child becomes emancipated through marriage, military enlistment, or court order. Support does not automatically continue through college unless parents agree or the court orders post-secondary support under specific circumstances.
Court Forms for Alaska Child Support Calculations
The Alaska Court System provides official forms for calculating and documenting child support under Civil Rule 90.3. These forms are available at Alaska Court System Forms and are required for court filings.
| Form Number | Title | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| DR-305 | Primary Custody Child Support Calculation | Calculate support when one parent has 70%+ overnights |
| DR-306 | Shared Custody Child Support Calculation | Calculate support when each parent has 30%+ overnights |
| DR-307 | Divided Custody Child Support Calculation | Calculate support when each parent has primary custody of at least one child |
| DR-308 | Hybrid Custody Child Support Calculation | Calculate support for mixed custody arrangements |
| DR-310 | How to Calculate Child Support Under Civil Rule 90.3 | 42-page instruction booklet with examples |
| DR-700 | Motion to Modify Child Support | Request modification of existing support order |
Additional Resources for Alaska Child Support
Alaska Child Support Services Division (CSSD) provides enforcement, collection, and administrative order establishment services. Contact CSSD at (907) 269-6900 or visit childsupport.alaska.gov for account information and payment processing.
Alaska Court System Self-Help Center offers free information and forms for child support matters at courts.alaska.gov/shc/family/support.htm.
Alaska Legal Services Corporation provides free legal assistance to eligible low-income Alaskans. Contact (888) 478-2572 to determine eligibility.
This guide provides general information about Alaska child support calculation under Civil Rule 90.3 and is not legal advice. Child support matters involve case-specific facts that may affect your calculation. For questions about your specific situation, consult with an Alaska family law attorney or contact the Alaska Court System Self-Help Center.