1 Child
~14%
of income
Data updated May 2026
2021 guideline data Percentage of Income model OCSE FY2023 source
Mississippi Child Support Guidelines
Mississippi runs the Percentage of Income model, with no statutory income cap - see the base percentages and OCSE FY2023 enforcement figures below.
By PlainChildSupport Editorial · · Source: Mississippi Revised Statutes · Last updated: 2021
Percentage of Income
2 Children
~20%
of income
3 Children
~22%
of income
4 Children
~24%
of income
Income Cap
None
uncapped
Child Support Snapshot: Mississippi
Mississippi operates under the Percentage of Income model, one of 5 U.S. states using this framework. For a parent supporting one child, the base guideline applies roughly 14% of income, scaling to 20% for two children and 22% for three. That places Mississippi at rank #49 of 51 states by single-child base percentage. Unlike capped states, there is no statutory income ceiling, the formula applies to the full reported income before deductions. Median household income here runs $48,716/yr.
Mississippi ranks #51 of 51 reporting states on OCSE collection efficiency and #28 by caseload volume, see the case counts, collection rate, and paternity-establishment figures in the enforcement breakdown below.
Mississippi does not build an automatic parenting time adjustment into its formula, though judges retain discretion to deviate. A percentage figure alone doesn't determine the dollar amount, see how Mississippi compares to other guideline models →
How Mississippi Calculates Child Support
Mississippi uses the Percentage of Income model. A fixed percentage of the non-custodial parent's income is applied based on the number of children. Its one-child base rate is a comparatively low starting point among states.
Flat percentage of non-custodial parent adjusted gross income. 1 child = 14%, 2 = 20%, 3 = 22%, 4 = 24%, 5+ = 26%. No parenting time adjustment.
Guideline Details
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Formula Model | Percentage of Income |
| Income Floor | None |
| Income Ceiling | Uncapped |
| Parenting Time Adjustment | Not available |
| Median Household Income | $48,716/yr |
| Single-Child Base | 14% (rank #49 of 51) |
Disclaimer: This page provides estimates for informational purposes only. Actual child support amounts may differ based on judicial discretion, deviation factors, and current Mississippi guidelines. Consult a family law attorney in Mississippi for legal advice.
Mississippi Child Support Enforcement
177,000
Active Cases
$210M
Annual Collections
49.3%
Collection Rate
64.8%
Cases with Orders
91.2%
Paternity Established
Mississippi vs national average (51 reporting states)
Collection rate 49.3%
national
49.3% of assessed support collected; national average 60.6%.
Paternity established 91.2%
national
91.2% of cases have legal parentage established; national average 94.9%.
Cases with orders 64.8%
64.8% of the caseload has a formal child support order in place.
Source: OCSE FY2023 preliminary report OCSE FY2023 preliminary report
Interactive Calculator for Mississippi
The Mississippi interactive calculator is being finalized. Use the official state calculator below for your estimate.
Official MS CalculatorOther Percentage of Income States
Frequently Asked Questions
What percentage of income goes to child support in Mississippi?
In Mississippi, approximate guideline percentages are 14% for 1 child, 20% for 2 children, 22% for 3 children, and 24% for 4 children. Actual amounts depend on the income level and any applicable deviation factors.
Does parenting time affect child support in Mississippi?
Mississippi does not provide an automatic parenting time adjustment in its child support formula. However, a judge may consider custody arrangements as a deviation factor.
Every figure on PlainChildSupport is rendered directly from official state guidelines and federal enforcement data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on official state guidelines and federal enforcement data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Data sources
Data sourced from official federal and state child-support agency records (NCSL, state statutes, ACS). See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainChildSupport Editorial
