CMS Maintenance Calculator
Maintenance Calculation
Adjusted Weekly Income-
Weekly Maintenance-
Monthly Maintenance-
Annual Maintenance-
Maintenance by Annual Income 2025/26
| Annual Income | Weekly Gross | 1 Child/wk | 2/wk | 3+/wk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £20,000 | £385 | £46 | £62 | £73 |
| £35,000 | £673 | £81 | £108 | £128 |
| £50,000 | £962 | £115 | £154 | £183 |
| £80,000 | £1,538 | £185 | £246 | £292 |
Figures use basic rate with no shared care or other children deductions.
CMS Rate Bands 2025/26
Nil Rate
Under £7/wk
Flat Rate
£7–£199/wk
Reduced
£200–£800/wk
Basic
£800–£3,000/wk
Basic Plus
Over £3,000/wk
Collect & Pay
20% surcharge
How to Use This Calculator
1
Enter gross annual income
Input total gross annual income. The calculator converts to weekly for rate band calculation.
2
Enter pension contributions
Weekly pension contributions are deducted from gross income before the maintenance calculation.
3
Select qualifying children
Choose children living primarily with the receiving parent.
4
Set shared care
More overnight stays with the paying parent reduce the maintenance amount.
5
Review amounts
See weekly, monthly and annual maintenance to plan budgets or compare arrangements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between CMS and CSA?
The CSA was replaced by CMS from 2012. CMS uses simpler gross income from HMRC data rather than the complex net income formula the CSA used.
Can I arrange privately?
Yes, family-based arrangements cost nothing and give flexibility. A consent order through courts makes it legally binding.
How often is it reviewed?
CMS reviews annually from HMRC data. Either parent can request reassessment for significant changes like 25%+ income change.
What if the paying parent doesn’t pay?
CMS can enforce via deduction from earnings, bank deductions, liability orders, driving licence removal or imprisonment.
Are payments taxable?
No. Child maintenance is not taxable for the receiver and not deductible for the payer regardless of arrangement type.
Official Sources & References
Data verified against official UK government sources. Last checked April 2026.