Child support in Canada is calculated using federal guidelines based on income and custody arrangements
The Federal Child Support Guidelines provide standardized tables that determine support payments across all provinces and territories. The basic calculation considers three primary factors:
- The payor’s annual income (or both parents’ incomes in shared custody)
- The number and ages of children requiring support
- The type of custody arrangement (sole, shared, or split)
Child support consists of two main components:
- Base Table Amount: Covers essential needs like food, shelter, and clothing
- Section 7 Expenses: Additional costs including:
- Childcare expenses
- Medical and dental costs beyond insurance coverage
- Educational expenses (including post-secondary)
- Extracurricular activities
For complex income situations, such as self-employed individuals or business owners, a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA) or business valuator can help determine the appropriate guideline income for accurate support calculations.