Reviewed for current 2026 law
Massachusetts Child Support Withholding Calculator 2026
Compare an income-withholding notice with the applicable federal disposable-earnings ceiling.
Reviewed by SupportDecode Editorial Team Page content reviewed Sources Methodology Update log
withholding calculator
Maximum weekly withholding for support: $480.00
That is 60% of disposable earnings, the federal CCPA ceiling that applies to this situation (15 U.S.C. 1673(b)(2)).
| Line item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Federal CCPA ceiling: 60% of disposable earnings (15 U.S.C. 1673(b)(2))15 U.S.C. 1673 (CCPA garnishment limits: 50/55/60/65% for support) (U.S. Congress (text via Cornell LII mirror)) | $480.00 |
| Maximum support withholding: 60% of disposable earnings15 U.S.C. 1673 (CCPA garnishment limits: 50/55/60/65% for support) (U.S. Congress (text via Cornell LII mirror)) | $480.00 |
Assumptions
- Disposable earnings are earnings minus deductions required by law (15 U.S.C. 1672); voluntary deductions are not subtracted.
- Obligor does not support another spouse or dependent child.
- No arrears older than 12 weeks.
Estimate only. The court or state agency calculation controls.
Federal CCPA ceiling under 15 U.S.C. 1673(b)(2); state rules under Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 119A, § 12; 15 U.S.C. § 1673(b). Rules last reviewed 2026-08-09.
An arrears increase cannot override the federal ceiling
Massachusetts may increase a covered IV-D income-withholding notice by 25 percent when arrears accrue.
That instruction is different from the maximum share of disposable earnings payroll may take. Federal law caps the combined deduction at one of four tiers.
Supporting another spouse or child lowers the base tier. Support more than 12 weeks overdue raises the selected tier by five percentage points.
Use payroll-defined disposable earnings
Subtract only deductions required by law from earnings before applying the ceiling.
The result is a maximum, not authority to replace the amount on the issued withholding notice.
What this estimate includes
- All CCPA support tiers
- Other-family and older-arrears switches
What it leaves out
- Order priority
- Employer processing instructions
- A DOR account balance
Massachusetts withholding calculator FAQs
Can Massachusetts add 25 percent for arrears?
A covered IV-D notice can increase withholding, but not beyond the applicable legal earnings ceiling.
What is the maximum percentage?
It is 50, 55, 60, or 65 percent depending on other support duties and whether arrears exceed 12 weeks.
Is the percentage applied to gross pay?
No. It applies to disposable earnings after legally required deductions.
Should payroll always take the maximum?
No. Payroll follows the valid notice subject to the maximum.
Can multiple orders exceed the ceiling?
No. The total withholding remains capped, though allocation rules may be needed.
Does the unpaid remainder disappear?
No. A payroll limit does not reduce the underlying support debt.
Official sources
Official sources last verified: .
- General Laws chapter 119A, section 12, support orders and income withholding
Massachusetts General Court Last checked
- 15 U.S.C. 1673 (CCPA garnishment limits: 50/55/60/65% for support)
U.S. Congress (text via Cornell LII mirror) Last checked
Changelog: page reviewed . Material changes appear in the update log.