A parenting time credit is a deviation that reduces child support when the paying parent has significant residential time with the child. Under RCW 26.19.075(1)(d), the court has discretion to deviate based on actual increased expenses for the paying parent and decreased expenses for the receiving parent.
RCW 26.19.075(1)(d): The court may deviate from the standard calculation if the child spends a significant amount of time with a parent who is obligated to make a support transfer payment. The court shall consider increased expenses to the paying parent and decreased expenses to the receiving parent resulting from the time.
No fixed formula or 'offset method' exists in Washington law for parenting time credits. The court exercises full discretion on the amount based on written findings of fact. Understanding this term is important when completing your child support calculation. Use our worksheet calculator to see how this applies to your case.
Important: The credit applies to the standard calculation amount. The court must consider whether a deviation would leave the receiving parent's household with insufficient funds.
The credit directly reduces your final transfer payment. However it is not automatic — you must request it and provide evidence of the residential schedule and shared expenses. The court will not grant the credit if it would leave the receiving parent's household with insufficient funds to meet the child's basic needs. Find your parenting tier using our <a href='/parenting-time-calculator' class='text-blue-600 hover:underline'>parenting time calculator</a>.
No. You must request the deviation in writing with evidence of the actual residential schedule. There is no fixed percentage or automatic reduction even with 50/50 time; the court decides based on actual expenses and written findings.
Use our 2026 Washington State estimator to see how these legal terms impact your support amount. All calculators are RCW 26.19 compliant.