About the Canada Child Support Calculator
This Canada child support calculator applies the Federal Child Support Guidelines tables (Schedule I of SOR/97-175) to the paying parent’s annual income. Pick the province or territory where the paying parent lives, enter their income and the number of children, and you get the same monthly table amount a lawyer or court would start from. It uses the updated tables that came into force on 1 October 2025, which begin at an annual income of $16,000.
It is meant for separating parents, people reviewing an existing order after an income change, and anyone negotiating a separation agreement. For shared parenting — where each parent has the children at least 40% of the time — switch on the shared-custody option to see the simple set-off: each parent’s table amount is calculated and the higher earner pays the difference.
The result is the basic table amount only. Section 7 special or extraordinary expenses (childcare, medical, post-secondary, extracurriculars) are shared on top of it in proportion to income, and a court can depart from the table for incomes above $150,000, undue hardship, split custody or children over the age of majority. In Quebec, the provincial guidelines apply unless one parent lives outside Quebec.
With the default inputs, the monthly child support is $1,296.00. Change any value above to recalculate instantly.
How to use the canada child support calculator
- 1Choose the province or territory where the paying parent lives.
- 2Select the number of children the order covers.
- 3Enter the paying parent’s annual income (usually line 15000 of the tax return).
- 4If parenting time is shared at least 40/60, turn on shared parenting and enter the other parent’s income.
- 5Read the monthly table amount, then add each parent’s share of any section 7 special expenses.
Formula and method
The federal tables list income in $1,000 bands. Each band gives a basic monthly amount and a percentage. Find the band that contains the paying parent’s annual income, then add the percentage of the part of the income above the band’s lower bound. This is exactly the method in note 3 of Schedule I to the Guidelines; for incomes of $150,000 or more the last row’s basic amount and percentage apply to everything above $150,000.
The amounts differ by province because they are built from provincial tax rates, and they are based on the paying parent’s income alone. In shared parenting (40% or more of parenting time), the calculator applies the common set-off: each parent’s table amount is worked out from their own income and the difference is the starting point. Special expenses, undue hardship and split custody are not modelled.
- Basic amount
- Monthly amount listed for the $1,000 income band
- Percentage
- Rate applied to income above the band’s lower bound
- Income
- Paying parent’s annual Guidelines income
Worked examples
British Columbia, 2 children, $51,250 income
This is the worked example printed in the Guidelines. The $51,000–$51,999 band for two children in BC has a basic amount of $807 and a rate of 1.54%. The $250 above $51,000 adds $3.85, giving $810.85 a month.
Ontario, 1 child, $75,000 income
At exactly $75,000 the income sits at the bottom of its band, so the support is the basic amount of $695 a month, or $8,340 a year.
Ontario shared parenting, 2 children, $90,000 vs $60,000
The higher earner’s table amount is $1,372 and the other parent’s is $911. Setting one off against the other leaves $461 a month payable by the higher earner, before a court weighs the actual costs of each household.
Alberta, 3 children, $200,000 income
Over $150,000 the top row applies: $2,833 plus 1.68% of the $50,000 above $150,000 ($840), for $3,673 a month. A court may adjust the part tied to income above $150,000.
Frequently asked questions
How is child support calculated in Canada?+
Under the Federal Child Support Guidelines, the basic amount comes from a table for the province where the paying parent lives, based on that parent’s annual income and the number of children. Special or extraordinary expenses under section 7 are then shared in proportion to both parents’ incomes.
Did the child support tables change in 2025?+
Yes. Updated federal tables came into force on 1 October 2025 (SOR/2025-166). They reflect newer tax rules and start at an annual income of $16,000, below which no table amount is payable. This calculator uses those updated tables.
How does 50/50 custody affect child support in Canada?+
If each parent has the children at least 40% of the time, section 9 applies. Courts usually start by setting off the two table amounts — each parent’s amount based on their own income — and then consider the increased costs of shared parenting and each household’s means.
Which province’s table applies if parents live in different provinces?+
The table for the province or territory where the paying parent ordinarily lives is used. If the paying parent lives outside Canada, the table for the province where the receiving parent lives applies.
What income is used for child support?+
Guideline income generally starts from the total income on line 15000 of the paying parent’s tax return, adjusted under Schedule III (for example, union dues and certain business expenses). Courts can impute income to a parent who is intentionally under-employed.
Does child support in Quebec use the federal tables?+
Only when one parent lives outside Quebec. When both parents live in Quebec, the Quebec child support determination rules and form apply instead, which use both parents’ incomes.
Results are general estimates and not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction — consult a qualified attorney.