Ontario Child Support Laws (2026 Guide)

Child support in Ontario is a legal right of the child. It is designed to ensure that children continue to benefit from the financial means of both parents after a separation or divorce. In 2026, Ontario continues to follow the Federal Child Support Guidelines for most cases, with provincial guidelines mirroring these for unmarried parents under the Family Law Act.

Federal vs. Provincial Guidelines

In Ontario, the law that applies depends on the parents’ relationship status and where they live:

• Divorce Act (Federal): Applies if you are legally married and pursuing a divorce.
• Family Law Act (Provincial): Applies if you were never married (common-law) or are married but separated and not divorcing.

Practically, both acts use the same Child Support Tables. The amount you pay or receive will generally be the same under either law. The primary focus is on the “Payor” parent’s gross annual income and the number of children.

How Income is Calculated

The “Guideline Income” is usually Line 15000 (Total Income) of the payor’s tax return and Notice of Assessment. However, adjustments may be made for:

• Union dues.
• Employment expenses.
• Taxable dividends (grossed down).
• Self-employment income (which may require adding back deduced expenses).
• Imputed income (if a parent is intentionally underemployed).

The Child Support Tables

The Federal Child Support Tables set the basic monthly amount (“Table Amount”). This is a non-negotiable starting point based on:

1. The payor’s gross annual income.
2. The number of children.
3. The province where the payor lives (Ontario).

For example, in 2026, if a payor in Ontario earns $60,000 annually and has two children, the table amount is a fixed monthly sum. This amount is legally presumed to cover basic costs like food, shelter, and clothing.

Special or Extraordinary Expenses (Section 7)

On top of the basic Table Amount, parents may have to share “Section 7” expenses. These are calculated in proportion to income (not 50/50, unless agreed). Allowable expenses include:

• Childcare expenses due to employment or illness.
• Medical and dental insurance premiums attributable to the child.
• Health-related expenses (orthodontics, counseling) not covered by insurance (over $100).
• Extraordinary expenses for primary or secondary school education.
• Post-secondary education expenses.
• Extraordinary expenses for extracurricular activities.

Modifying Child Support

Child support is not set in stone. It should change whenever income changes. Parents are required to exchange financial information (tax returns, NOAs) every year. If income increases, support should increase.

If parents cannot agree on a new amount, they can use the Ontario Online Child Support Service to update the amount without going to court, or file a Motion to Change.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does child support end at age 18 in Ontario?

Not necessarily. Support continues as long as the child is a “child of the marriage,” which often includes children over 18 who are in full-time post-secondary education or cannot withdraw from parental charge due to illness or disability.

2. How does shared custody (50/50) affect support?

If each parent has the child at least 40% of the time, Section 9 of the Guidelines applies. Usually, the higher-earning parent pays the “set-off” amount (the difference between what each parent would pay the other).

3. Can I quit my job to avoid paying child support?

No. The court can “impute” income to you, meaning they will calculate support based on what you could earn, not just what you do earn.

4. Are child support payments tax-deductible?

No. For any agreement or order made after May 1997, child support is tax-neutral. The payor cannot deduct it, and the recipient does not claim it as income.

5. What if the payor lives in another province?

If the payor lives outside Ontario, you use the Tables for the province where the payor resides.