Child & Spousal
Support Calculator

Child support in Ontario (and most of Canada) is governed by the Federal Child Support Guidelines. The amount is determined primarily by:

• The payor parent's annual gross income

• The number of children

• The province of residence of the payor

These "table amounts" are set by the federal government and are not negotiable — courts almost always order the table amount unless there are special circumstances.

Section 7 of the Federal Child Support Guidelines covers extraordinary or special expenses such as daycare costs, medical and dental expenses not covered by insurance, extracurricular activities, and post-secondary education costs. These are shared proportionally between parents based on their respective incomes, on top of the basic table amount.

In shared custody arrangements (where a child spends at least 40% of their time with each parent), the guidelines allow for an "offset" approach:

1. Calculate the table amount each parent would pay based on their own income

2. The parent with the higher obligation pays the difference to the other parent

3. Courts may also consider the actual spending patterns and financial circumstances of each household

Yes. Either parent can apply to vary child support when there is a material change in circumstances — such as a significant change in income (generally 10% or more), a change in the child's needs, or a change in custody arrangements. The obligation to pay child support generally continues until the child is no longer a "child of the marriage" (typically when they become self-sufficient).

The SSAG are non-binding guidelines that help lawyers and judges estimate a range of reasonable spousal support amounts and durations. Unlike child support, spousal support is not based on a fixed table — it involves a range (low, mid, high) based on:

• The difference in the spouses' gross incomes

• The length of the marriage/cohabitation

• Whether there are children

• The economic advantages or disadvantages caused by the marriage

Under the SSAG, duration is typically:

• Short marriages (under 5 years): 0.5 to 1 year per year of marriage

• Medium marriages (5–20 years): 0.5 to 1 year per year of marriage, sometimes indefinite

• Long marriages (20+ years): often indefinite/permanent, subject to review

Duration can also be affected by the recipient's health, ability to become self-sufficient, and the standard of living during the marriage.

Generally, periodic spousal support payments are tax-deductible for the payor and taxable income for the recipient, provided they are made pursuant to a written agreement or court order. Lump-sum support payments are treated differently. Child support paid after May 1, 1997 is neither deductible for the payor nor taxable for the recipient. Always consult a tax professional for advice specific to your situation.

Yes. Each province and territory has its own schedule under the Federal Child Support Guidelines with slightly different table amounts reflecting different tax rates. Ontario and most other provinces use the federal table. Quebec uses its own Child Support Determination Regulation, which uses a different formula based on the custody arrangement and each parent's net (after-tax) income.

No. This calculator provides estimates for planning and educational purposes only. Actual support amounts are determined by the courts and will depend on your specific facts, documentation, and applicable legislation. We strongly recommend consulting a family law lawyer at Naksar Law or another qualified practitioner before making any decisions.