Reviewed for current 2026 law
Wisconsin Child Support Arrears Calculator 2026
Estimate the 0.5 percent monthly interest Wisconsin charges on qualifying past-due support.
Reviewed by SupportDecode Editorial Team Page content reviewed Sources Methodology Update log
arrears calculator
Estimated arrears with interest: $5,300.00
Interest of $300.00 at 6% simple per year (Wis. Stat. § 767.511(6m); statewide pilot rate).
| Line item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Arrears principalCollecting Past-Due Support: 0.5% monthly interest (Wisconsin Department of Children and Families) | $5,000.00 |
| Simple interest at 6% per year for 12 month(s) (Wis. Stat. § 767.511(6m); statewide pilot rate)Wisconsin charges 0.5% per month, stated by DCF as 6% per year, once past-due support reaches at least one monthly payment. The rate was 1% per month before April 1, 2014.Collecting Past-Due Support: 0.5% monthly interest (Wisconsin Department of Children and Families) | $300.00 |
| Arrears principal plus interestCollecting Past-Due Support: 0.5% monthly interest (Wisconsin Department of Children and Families) | $5,300.00 |
Assumptions
- Accrual period expressed as 12 month(s); partial months prorate.
Estimate only. The court or state agency calculation controls.
Wisconsin arrears interest under Wis. Stat. § 767.511(6m); statewide pilot rate; rules last reviewed 2026-08-09.
Wisconsin charges 0.5 percent each month
Wisconsin DCF states that qualifying past-due support bears interest at 0.5 percent per month, equal to 6 percent per year.
Interest begins when the past-due amount equals or exceeds one monthly payment. It continues even while the parent makes payments on the debt.
The rate was 1 percent per month before April 1, 2014, so older balances require a split calculation.
Use one accrual period at a time
Enter principal and time for debt subject to the current rate. Real ledgers accrue each installment separately and apply payments in an official order.
Separate debt from before April 2014 because the former rate was higher.
What this estimate includes
- Current 6 percent simple annual estimate
- One principal and period
What it leaves out
- Pre-April 2014 rate segments
- Payment-by-payment allocation
- Birth costs, fees, and enforcement actions
Wisconsin arrears calculator FAQs
What is the Wisconsin arrears interest rate?
DCF states 0.5 percent per month, or 6 percent per year, on qualifying past-due support.
When does interest begin?
It begins once the past-due support equals or exceeds the amount due for one month.
Did Wisconsin once charge 12 percent?
Yes. Before April 1, 2014, the rate was 1 percent monthly, or 12 percent annually.
Does making payments stop interest?
No. DCF says interest continues while debt remains, even when the parent is paying toward it.
Is interest charged on unpaid birth costs?
DCF says the support arrears interest charge does not apply to unpaid birth costs or fees.
Why can the official ledger differ?
Each missed installment has its own accrual period, and payments and credits are applied through the state system.
Official sources
Official sources last verified: .
- Collecting Past-Due Support: 0.5% monthly interest
Wisconsin Department of Children and Families Last checked
Changelog: page reviewed . Material changes appear in the update log.