2025 Child Support Table Look-up Explained

The federal child support tables set out the amount of monthly child support payments for each province on the basis of the annual income of the spouse ordered to pay child support (the “support payer”) and the number of children for whom a table amount is payable. 

Child support payments in Canada are mandatory monthly amounts based on the payor’s gross annual income, the province of residence, and the number of children.

Updated Federal Tables (as of Oct 1, 2025) dictate these payments, covering basic expenses like food and shelter.

• Calculation Basis: The “Table Amount” covers basic expenses like food, shelter, and clothing. It is usually calculated from line 15000 (formerly 150) of the payor’s T1 Income Tax Return.
• Mandatory Nature: Child support is a right of the child, and parents cannot waive this right, even through agreements.
• Special/Extraordinary Expenses: In addition to the base table amount, parents often share special expenses (section 7 expenses) such as daycare, medical/dental insurance, and extracurricular activities.
• Jurisdiction: The amount is based on the guidelines of the province or territory where the payor parent resides.
• High Income & Shared Parenting: For incomes over $150,000, the courts may use different formulas. In shared parenting scenarios (40% or more time), calculations consider both parents’ incomes. 

Important Tips for Using the Table Look-up
Read the Step-by-Step Guide and the Table Look-up Disclaimer for more details. The guide offers instructions and worksheets that will help explain how to calculate child support amounts. It also has information on special or extraordinary expenses that may need to be added to the basic child support amount.

Expenses listed as falling in the category of special or extraordinary are:

• Child care expenses incurred as a result of the primary parenting time parent’s employment, illness, disability, or education or training for employment
• The child’s medical and dental insurance premiums, health expenses over $100 annually
• Extraordinary expenses for primary and secondary students (generally, this includes private school tuition and tutoring)
• Post-secondary education expenses; and some programs and activities

You may wish to ask a lawyer for advice about your situation. The base amount is often not the final child support amount to be paid. For example, if there are special expenses such as child care or if you share custody, the amount will likely be different.

2025 child support table look-up

Under the Federal Child Support Guidelines, the table amount is determined by:

• the number of children;
• the province or territory where the paying parent lives; and
• the paying parent’s before tax annual income.

Federal child support guidelines workbookby Department of Justice