How Alberta's Child Support Calculator Works
The Federal Child Support Guidelines and Alberta's Tables
Alberta uses the Federal Child Support Guidelines (SOR/97-175) to calculate child support, alongside the parallel Alberta Child Support Guidelines for non-divorce matters. The Guidelines apply under the Divorce Act for married parents who are divorcing, and under Alberta's Family Law Act for unmarried parents.
Section 3 of the Guidelines sets the base table amount, and the table itself functions as a mandatory child support table look-up that courts must follow for incomes under $150,000. Both versions produce the same table amount for the same income and number of children, so married and unmarried parents are calculating support the exact same way.
Who Counts as the Paying Parent
The paying parent, sometimes called the payor, is generally the parent the child does not live with most of the time under the parenting arrangement. This applies equally to married spouses and common-law or adult interdependent partners. A step-parent who has stood in place of a parent under the Federal Child Support Guidelines can also be obligated to pay child support.
If you are unsure whether your relationship qualifies as common-law for support purposes, our common law separation lawyer Edmonton team can confirm your status before you calculate anything.
How to Calculate Child Support: The Base Table Amount
The base table amount is the starting point for every Alberta child support calculation under the Federal Child Support Guidelines, before any special expenses are added.
2026 Alberta Child Support Table Amounts by Income
The table below shows approximate monthly base amounts under the October 2025 Federal Child Support Tables for Alberta, based on the paying parent's gross annual income and the number of children.
| Annual Income | 1 Child | 2 Children | 3 Children |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $370 | $624 | $792 |
| $60,000 | $575 | $963 | $1,214 |
| $80,000 | $735 | $1,227 | $1,544 |
| $100,000 | $979 | $1,537 | $1,921 |
| $150,000 | $1,318 | $2,095 | $2,639 |
These table amount figures are base amounts only. They do not include Section 7 special expenses, and incomes below roughly $16,000 produce a $0 base child support table amount. For incomes over $150,000, Section 4 of the Guidelines applies a different formula rather than the standard table.
Walking Through the Math
- Determine the paying parent's gross annual income from line 15000 of their T1 tax return
- Count the number of children requiring support
- Find the row closest to that income and the column matching the number of children
- That figure is the base table amount before any special expenses are added
For example, a paying parent earning $80,000 gross annual income with two children has a base table amount of approximately $1,227 per month. This is the figure a court will use as the starting point for the child support calculation, whether the parents are married, unmarried, or common-law adult interdependent partners under Alberta's Adult Interdependent Relationships Act framework.
When Parenting Time Changes Child Support Calculation
The base table amount assumes one parent has the child most of the time under standard custody. When parenting time is closer to equal, the child support calculation formula can change.
The 40 Percent Rule and the Set-Off Calculation
When each parent has the child at least 40 percent of the time, this is treated as shared parenting rather than the standard arrangement, and Section 9 of the Guidelines applies a set-off calculation instead of the standard table amount. Each parent's table amount is calculated separately as if they were the paying parent, and the lower figure is subtracted from the higher.
Only the difference is paid by the higher-earning parent to the recipient parent. A related arrangement, split custody, applies when there are multiple children, and each parent has primary care of at least one.
Our family law and child custody guide explains how parenting time percentages are actually determined, which is the first step before this calculation even applies. Once parenting time is settled, our child custody lawyer Edmonton team can help confirm whether you meet the 40 percent threshold.
High Income, Low Income, and Other Special Situations
For incomes above $150,000, Section 4 lets a court apply the table amount for the first $150,000 plus a smaller percentage on the income above that, or order a different amount entirely if the standard formula would produce an inappropriate result. Income disputes are common at this level, particularly with fluctuating income from self-employment or investments.
Below roughly $16,000, the table amount drops to $0, though a parent in that position may still face imputed income if a court believes they are capable of earning more. Courts can also reduce support for undue hardship in genuinely exceptional circumstances, though this is applied narrowly and is not a routine option.
Get an Accurate Number for Your Situation
A table look-up gives you an estimate, but your actual file may involve income complexity that a calculator can't see. Self-employment income, imputed income, and high-income formulas all require judgment that a simple lookup doesn't provide.
Beyond the Base Amount: Special Expenses and Enforcement
The base table amount under the Federal Child Support Guidelines is rarely the full picture. Most families also need to address specific additional Section 7 costs.
H3: Section 7 Special and Extraordinary Expenses
Section 7 of the Guidelines covers special and extraordinary expenses shared proportionally between parents based on their respective gross annual incomes, separately from the base table amount under the Federal Child Support Guidelines.
These special expenses typically include:
- Childcare costs required for work or education
- Health-related expenses exceeding $100 annually that aren't covered by insurance
- Extraordinary extracurricular activities
- Post-secondary education costs
If one parent earns 65 percent of the combined gross annual income, they generally pay 65 percent of the agreed Section 7 special expenses on top of the base table amount.
What Happens If Child Support Isn't Paid: The Maintenance Enforcement Program
Once a support amount is set out in an order or filed agreement, Alberta's Maintenance Enforcement Program (MEP) can collect and enforce it, using tools like wage garnishment and licence suspension. Registering with MEP is optional, but available the moment a parent misses a payment.
For enforcement matters beyond MEP's tools, our Edmonton family lawyers can pursue a direct application to the Court of King's Bench.
Talk to a Lawyer About Your Child Support Order
Calculating the number is only half the work. Making it enforceable is the other half.
Child Support Calculation in Alberta: Frequently Asked Questions
How is child support calculated in Alberta?
Child support in Alberta usually starts with the Federal Child Support Guidelines table amount, based on the paying parent’s gross annual income and the number of children. Special expenses, shared parenting, and higher incomes can change the final amount.
Is child support taxable in Canada?
In most cases, child support is not taxable to the recipient and not deductible by the payer. That has generally been the rule for child support obligations created under court orders or written agreements made after April 1997.
When does child support end in Alberta?
Child support does not always end automatically at age 18. It usually continues until the end date in the order or agreement, or until a court changes it. Support can continue for adult children in some situations, including ongoing schooling.
How do I find out my annual income for child support?
Child support is often based on your gross annual income, usually taken from line 15000 of your T1 tax return. You can also use your CRA proof of income statement, recent tax returns, notices of assessment, and current income documents.
How do I file for child support in Alberta?
To apply for child support in Alberta, you generally gather income documents, tax returns, notices of assessment, and information about special expenses, then complete the required court forms. Alberta also provides application guides and child support services to help with the process.
What does child support cover?
The base table amount is meant to cover ordinary day-to-day child expenses. On top of that, parents may also share Section 7 special expenses, such as childcare, uninsured health costs, extraordinary extracurricular activities, and post-secondary education expenses.
How does shared parenting affect child support in Alberta?
If each parent has the child at least 40% of the time, the calculation may shift from the standard table amount to a shared-parenting or set-off approach. Each parent’s table amount is compared, and the difference may be paid by the higher-income parent.
What happens if child support is not paid in Alberta?
If child support is set out in a court order or filed agreement, Alberta’s Maintenance Enforcement Program can help collect and enforce it. Enforcement tools can include collection action, wage garnishment, and other steps permitted under the program.
Disclaimer: This page is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Using this child support calculator does not create a lawyer-client relationship with Bhardwaj+Co. Child support in Alberta depends on the specific facts of each case, including income, parenting time, and special expenses.