In Illinois, the Calculating Support form serves as a vital tool for determining child support obligations, ensuring that children receive the financial support they need from non-custodial parents. This form streamlines the process of calculating a minimum child support order by guiding users through a series of straightforward steps. First, it requires the non-custodial parent to report their gross income, which includes earnings from employment and any other sources of income. Next, the form prompts users to list deductions from this gross income, such as federal and state income tax withholdings, FICA contributions, mandatory retirement deductions, union dues, health insurance premiums, and any prior support orders that are being paid. After calculating the total deductions, the net income is determined by subtracting the total deductions from the gross income. The form then incorporates guidelines based on the number of children, applying a percentage that ranges from 20% to 50% to the net income. Finally, the resulting figure indicates the amount of child support that will be due, creating a clear and structured approach to this essential aspect of family law.