Child support on $50,000 a year in South Dakota (1 child)
South Dakota guidelines effective January 1, 2026. South Dakota overview
If Parent A earns $50,000 a year, Parent B earns $40,000 and the child lives mostly with Parent B (52 overnights a year with Parent A), South Dakota's guideline amount is $624 a month (Parent A pays Parent B).
Across the table below it ranges from $336 paid by Parent B (Parent B earns $100,000, equal time) to $692 (Parent B earns $20,000, Parent A has no overnights).
This is the guideline amount, not a court order.
Change the numbers
Guideline child support
South Dakota · 1 child · Parent A $50000 per year · Parent B $40000 per year · children live mostly with Parent B
$624 a month
Parent A pays Parent B
- Parent A: 55.2% of combined income
- Parent B: 44.8%
How it adds up
- Combined income
- $6,390 a month
- Basic obligation
- $1,134 a month
- Parent A's share of income
- 55%
- Guideline amount
- $624 a month
See the worksheet for this example
- Net income was estimated with South Dakota's standard assumptions (single filer, 2026 tax year). Your actual taxes may differ.
South Dakota uses the income shares model under SDCL §§ 25-7-6.1 to 25-7-6.29. Official calculator: apps.sd.gov. Child support agency: South Dakota Department of Social Services, Division of Child Support.
Estimate under South Dakota's child support guidelines effective January 1, 2026. Verified against the official South Dakota sources on October 7, 2026. Not legal advice. Courts can deviate from the guidelines. How we calculate →
By parenting time and the other parent's income
| Overnights | $0 | $20,000 | $30,000 | $40,000 | $50,000 | $60,000 | $80,000 | $100,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | $687 A→B | $692 A→B | $648 A→B | $624 A→B | $591 A→B | $574 A→B | $541 A→B | $527 A→B |
| 52 | $687 A→B | $692 A→B | $648 A→B | $624 A→B | $591 A→B | $574 A→B | $541 A→B | $527 A→B |
| 104 | $687 A→B | $692 A→B | $648 A→B | $624 A→B | $591 A→B | $574 A→B | $541 A→B | $527 A→B |
| 128 | $687 A→B | $692 A→B | $648 A→B | $624 A→B | $591 A→B | $574 A→B | $541 A→B | $527 A→B |
| 182 | $286 A→B | $299 A→B | $190 A→B | $88 A→B | $3 A→B | $72 B→A | $225 B→A | $336 B→A |
The South Dakota worksheet for this example
| Line | Official label | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gross Income (Parent A)Parent A's gross monthly income | $4,166.67 a month |
| 1 | Gross Income (Parent B)Parent B's gross monthly income | $3,333.33 a month |
| 2 | FIT – single rate (Parent A)Parent A's federal income tax from the DSS table | $319.00 a month |
| 2 | FIT – single rate (Parent B)Parent B's federal income tax from the DSS table | $218.00 a month |
| 2 | FICA (.0765) (Parent A)Parent A's Social Security and Medicare | $318.00 a month |
| 2 | FICA (.0765) (Parent B)Parent B's Social Security and Medicare | $255.00 a month |
| 3 | Monthly Net Income (Parent A)Parent A's net income | $3,529.67 a month |
| 3 | Monthly Net Income (Parent B)Parent B's net income | $2,860.33 a month |
| 3c | Monthly Net Income (Combined)Combined net income | $6,390.00 a month |
| 4 | % of Share Income (Parent A)Parent A's share of income | 55% |
| 4 | % of Share Income (Parent B)Parent B's share of income | 45% |
| 5 | Combined Obligation (from guidelines schedule)Schedule amount | $1,134.00 a month |
| 6 | Parents Share (Parent A)Parent A's share of the schedule amount | $624.00 a month |
| 6 | Parents Share (Parent B)Parent B's share of the schedule amount | $510.00 a month |
| 8 | NCP's Basic Obligation (lower amount of 6a or 7a)Basic support after the self-support reserve test | $624.00 a month |
| 11 | Recommended Child Support ObligationGuideline amount | $624.00 a month |
Open the official Child Support Obligation Worksheet Based on Income Shares (SE481A) →
With child care and health insurance
| Costs | Guideline amount |
|---|---|
| No add-ons | $624 a month A→B |
| Child care $500 a month | $865 a month A→B |
| Child care $1,000 a month | $1,140 a month A→B |
| Health insurance $150 a month | $707 a month A→B |
| Health insurance $300 a month | $789 a month A→B |
The children's health insurance is shared by income, with a credit for the parent who pays it, and a parent's share is limited to 8% of their net income. Child care, less a federal credit counted at 25% of the eligible expense, and uninsured health costs above $250 per child a year are shared the same way.
Things to know about this example
- Net income was estimated with South Dakota's standard assumptions (single filer, 2026 tax year). Your actual taxes may differ.
How South Dakota works it out
South Dakota uses the income shares model: the schedule gives the support for the parents' combined monthly net income, and the noncustodial parent's share of it, by percentage of combined income, is the order.
Net income is gross income minus federal income tax at the single rate for a monthly payroll period, Social Security and Medicare, retirement plan contributions up to 10% of gross income, work expenses an employer doesn't repay, and payments on other support orders. South Dakota has no income tax. A parent is presumed able to earn at least the state minimum wage of $11.85 an hour for 1,820 hours a year.
With a shared parenting plan of at least 180 nights a year in each home, the court may grant a cross credit: the schedule amount is increased by half, shared by income, and each parent's share is multiplied by the other parent's share of the nights, then offset. A partial abatement for six or more nights a month is up to the court and isn't estimated.
Frequently asked questions
How much child support is paid on $50,000 in South Dakota for 1 child?
If Parent A earns $50,000 a year, Parent B earns $40,000 and the child lives mostly with Parent B (52 overnights a year with Parent A), South Dakota's guideline amount is about $624 a month (Parent A pays Parent B).
How much is that a week?
That is about $144 a week (the monthly amount × 12 ÷ 52).
What if the parents share time equally?
With about equal parenting time and the same incomes, the guideline amount is about $88 a month (Parent A pays Parent B).
What if Parent B has no income?
If Parent B has no income and the child lives mostly with Parent B, the guideline amount is about $687 a month (Parent A pays Parent B).
Official sources and verification
- Law: SDCL §§ 25-7-6.1 to 25-7-6.29
- South Dakota child support guidelines
- Child Support Obligation Worksheet Based on Income Shares (SE481A)
- Official South Dakota child support calculator
- South Dakota Department of Social Services, Division of Child Support
- Changing a South Dakota child support order
Guidelines effective January 1, 2026. Verified against the official South Dakota sources on October 7, 2026. How we calculate →