Child Support Calculator Canada Federal Guidelines

Payor Information

Payor annual gross income

Line 15000 of your most recent T1 General return (total income before deductions).

Province / Territory

Number of children

Custody Arrangement

Custody type

Recipient annual gross income

Only used for shared custody set-off calculation.

Your Estimate

Table amount (monthly)
$0
Base amount from the Federal Child Support Guidelines.

Annual total

Effective rate (% of gross income)

0.0%

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Legal DisclaimerThis calculator provides estimates based on simplified Federal Child Support Guidelines table rates. It is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified Canadian family lawyer for advice specific to your circumstances. LexScale.ai is a legal marketing platform — not a law firm.

How Child Support Is Calculated in Canada

Child support in Canada is governed by the Federal Child Support Guidelines, which apply in all provinces and territories (with Quebec having its own parallel system). The Guidelines use a table-based approach: the paying parent's pre-tax income and the number of children determine a base monthly amount. Judges rarely deviate from this figure.

The total child support obligation has two components. Table support is the base monthly amount from the Federal Tables, determined by the payor's province, income, and number of children. Section 7 expenses are additional costs for child-related expenses such as childcare, medical/dental costs not covered by insurance, post-secondary education, and extracurricular activities. These are shared in proportion to each parent's income.

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This calculator estimates table support only. Section 7 (special/extraordinary) expenses are negotiated separately and are not included in this estimate. Consult a family lawyer for a complete picture of your child support obligation.

Federal Guidelines Formula

Table Support = Federal Guidelines Table Amount (province + income + # children)
Section 7 Share = Parent's Income / Combined Income x Total Section 7 Costs
Total Child Support = Table Support + Section 7 Share

Worked Example

Payor parent province: Ontario

Payor's annual gross income: $85,000

Number of children: 2

Federal Guidelines table amount (Ontario, $85K, 2 children): approximately $1,318/month

Childcare costs (Section 7): $800/month shared proportionately

Combined parental income: $85,000 + $55,000 = $140,000

Payor's Section 7 share: $85,000 / $140,000 x $800 = $486/month

Result

Estimated total: ~$1,804/month ($1,318 table + $486 Section 7)

Child Support by Province (Federal Tables Snapshot)

Province	Approximate Amount	Notes
Ontario	~$1,318/mo (2 children, $85K income)	Most populous province; follows Federal Tables
British Columbia	~$1,318/mo (2 children, $85K income)	Same Federal Table amounts as Ontario
Alberta	~$1,318/mo (2 children, $85K income)	Federal Tables apply province-wide
Quebec	Different formula	Quebec uses its own child support model based on both parents' incomes and parenting time
All other provinces	Same Federal Tables	Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, NB, PEI, NL, territories

Common Child Support Mistakes

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Using net income instead of grossThe Federal Guidelines use gross pre-tax income, not take-home pay. Using net income will significantly underestimate the support amount.

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Ignoring the self-employment adjustmentSelf-employed parents must add back certain business deductions (CCA depreciation, personal expenses run through the business) to arrive at their Guidelines income. Courts and CRA treat this differently.

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Forgetting to update when income changesChild support is based on the payor's current income and must be updated when income changes significantly. Failure to update can result in arrears or overpayment.

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Assuming shared custody halves the amountShared custody (40%+ parenting time each) uses a different calculation. Each parent pays their table amount, and the difference is paid to the lower-income parent — not a simple 50/50 split of the base amount.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Federal Child Support Guidelines?

The Federal Child Support Guidelines are regulations under the Divorce Act that set monthly support amounts based on the payor's annual gross income, province, and number of children. Most provinces have also adopted them for non-divorce family law matters.

How is shared custody child support calculated in Canada?

When each parent has the child at least 40% of the time, courts use a set-off calculation — each parent's table amount is calculated separately, and the difference is paid by the higher-income parent. Courts may also adjust for the actual costs of the shared arrangement.

Does this include special or extraordinary expenses?

No. Section 7 of the Guidelines covers childcare, medical premiums, and extracurricular activities — these are shared proportionally to each parent's income and are added on top of the table amount shown here.

How accurate is this estimate?

This calculator uses simplified table rates. Your actual order may differ based on Section 7 expenses, undue hardship claims, split custody, or other factors. Always consult a qualified family lawyer.

Can child support be changed after it is set?

Yes. Either parent can apply to vary a child support order if there has been a material change in circumstances — such as a significant income change or a change in custody arrangements.

Child Support Calculator — Canada

How Child Support Is Calculated in Canada

Worked Example

Child Support by Province (Federal Tables Snapshot)

Common Child Support Mistakes

Frequently Asked Questions

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Child Support Calculator — Canada

How Child Support Is Calculated in Canada

Worked Example

Child Support by Province (Federal Tables Snapshot)

Common Child Support Mistakes

Frequently Asked Questions

Related calculators

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