Child Support Guidelines Ontario 2025

Child support is one of the most important — and most misunderstood — financial issues in any Ontario divorce involving children. The good news is that the calculation is largely formulaic: Ontario follows the Federal Child Support Guidelines, which set out clear table amounts based on the paying parent's income. At Easy Path Divorce, we help parents understand exactly what they are entitled to and ensure that any separation agreement reflects the correct amounts.

The Legal Framework: Federal Child Support Guidelines

Child support in Canada is governed by the federal Divorce Act and its associated Federal Child Support Guidelines (SOR/97-175). These guidelines were updated effective October 1, 2025, with a revised base income threshold of $16,000 (increased from $13,000 under the 2017 tables). For incomes below $16,000, the court has discretion; for incomes at or above $16,000, the table amounts are presumptively binding.

The guidelines apply to divorces filed under the federal Divorce Act. For unmarried parents, the provincial Family Law Act incorporates the same tables by reference, so the calculation methodology is identical regardless of whether the parents were married.

How the Table Amount Is Calculated

The basic child support obligation is determined by three factors:

1. The paying parent's province of residence — Ontario has its own column in the federal tables.
2. The paying parent's gross annual income — specifically the amount on Line 15000 of their most recent T1 Income Tax Return (Notice of Assessment). This is total income before deductions.
3. The number of children requiring support.

The table provides a monthly dollar amount. This is the base amount and is the minimum required; the court will only depart downward in very unusual circumstances.

Ontario Table Examples (2025)

The following are approximate monthly base support amounts under the Ontario Federal Child Support Guidelines (effective October 1, 2025):

*Approximate figures. Always consult the official Federal Child Support Guidelines tables for precise amounts. Some table amounts may appear counterintuitive due to rounding and threshold effects in the published tables.

Incomes Above $150,000

For paying parents with gross incomes exceeding $150,000, the court does not mechanically apply only the table amount. Under section 4 of the Federal Child Support Guidelines, the court may award a higher amount if it is satisfied that the table amount is inappropriate given the "condition, means, needs and other circumstances" of the children and the paying parent. In practice, the table amount is often used as a floor, with additional amounts added for high incomes.

Section 7 Special and Extraordinary Expenses

In addition to the base table amount, parents may share "special or extraordinary expenses" under section 7 of the Guidelines. These are costs that are: necessary for the child's best interests, and either not covered by ordinary income or extraordinary given the child's circumstances. Common examples include:

• Childcare expenses required for the recipient parent to work or study
• Premiums for the child's health or dental insurance
• Unreimbursed medical and dental expenses above $100 per year
• Post-secondary education costs
• Extracurricular activities (when costs are significant relative to the family's means)

Section 7 expenses are shared proportionally to each parent's gross income. For example, if the paying parent earns 60% of the combined household income, they pay 60% of the s.7 expense after any government subsidies or credits are deducted.

Shared and Split Parenting Arrangements

The standard table amount assumes the child lives primarily with one parent (more than 60% of the time). If parenting time is shared — meaning each parent has the child at least 40% of the time — child support is calculated under a different formula. Under section 9 of the Guidelines, the court considers the table amounts for both parents, the cost of shared parenting, and the increased or decreased costs resulting from the shared arrangement. The result is typically a set-off or a reduced amount compared to the standard table.

Child Support and Divorce Applications

If there are children of the marriage, your divorce application must satisfy the court that reasonable arrangements have been made for child support. This generally means the agreed support amount equals or exceeds the Federal Child Support Guidelines table amount for the paying parent's income. Courts will not grant a divorce order if they are not satisfied that children's interests have been properly addressed.

When documenting your child support arrangement in a separation agreement, it is important to specify: the table amount, the income on which it is based, how income disclosure will be exchanged annually, and the procedure for recalculating support if income changes materially.

How Easy Path Divorce Can Help

Our licensed professionals ensure that your child support terms comply with the Federal Child Support Guidelines and will satisfy the court's scrutiny. We calculate the correct table amount based on your specific income and number of children, advise on Section 7 expenses, and draft language that protects both parties going forward.

Have questions about your specific situation? Visit our FAQ page or contact us directly. Our team is available to walk you through the numbers at no charge as part of your initial consultation.