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How Child Support Is Calculated in Alberta
Child support in Alberta follows the Federal Child Support Guidelines. The starting point is the table amount: a monthly figure set by the paying parent's gross annual income, the number of children, and the Alberta table. On top of the table amount, parents share special or extraordinary expenses under section 7, such as childcare, health insurance premiums, and extraordinary activities, generally in proportion to their incomes.
This calculator uses the updated federal tables in force since October 1, 2025. Older calculators still using the 2017 tables will give figures that no longer match what a court would order.
How Much Is Child Support in Alberta? Common Amounts
These are the monthly table amounts under the Alberta table currently in force, by the paying parent's gross annual income and number of children. They are the base amount before any section 7 expenses are added.
| Paying parent's income | 1 child | 2 children | 3 children | 4 children |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $297 | $572 | $792 | $972 |
| $60,000 | $495 | $871 | $1,172 | $1,418 |
| $80,000 | $685 | $1,166 | $1,551 | $1,866 |
| $100,000 | $878 | $1,466 | $1,937 | $2,322 |
| $125,000 | $1,106 | $1,821 | $2,393 | $2,861 |
| $150,000 | $1,326 | $2,163 | $2,833 | $3,381 |
| $200,000 | $1,756 | $2,813 | $3,673 | $4,371 |
Use the calculator above for your exact income, and remember that these figures assume the children live primarily with the other parent. Shared and split parenting change the calculation.
Are You Looking at 2017 Figures by Mistake?
The federal tables were replaced on October 1, 2025. The set before them had been in force since November 22, 2017, so nearly eight years of articles, worksheets and online calculators were built on numbers that no longer apply. Many of them are still published.
Two things changed for Alberta, and most sources mention only the first.
The base amount moved. A parent earning $150,000 with one child owed $1,318 under the old table and owes $1,326 under the current one.
The percentage charged above $150,000 also moved, from 0.84 percent to 0.86 percent of the income over that threshold. This second change is the one that gets missed, and it is why the gap widens as income rises instead of staying at eight dollars a month.
| Paying parent's income | Old table (to Sept 30, 2025) | Current table | Difference per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| $150,000 | $1,318 | $1,326 | $96 |
| $200,000 | $1,738 | $1,756 | $216 |
| $300,000 | $2,578 | $2,616 | $456 |
| $500,000 | $4,258 | $4,336 | $936 |
| $1,000,000 | $8,458 | $8,636 | $2,136 |
One child, Alberta table, before any section 7 expenses. At $150,000 the difference is $96 a year. At $500,000 it is $936, and at $1,000,000 it is $2,136. For an obligation that may run a decade or longer, a calculator still applying the 2017 percentage understates the figure by an amount worth catching.
Both sets of numbers come from Schedule I of the Federal Child Support Guidelines, comparing the version in force to September 30, 2025 against the version in force since October 1, 2025. This calculator uses the current tables, and the date they were last checked against the regulation is published at the top of this page.
Shared and Split Parenting
When each parent has the children at least 40 percent of the time, support usually starts from the set-off of the two table amounts, and the court may adjust from there. When each parent has primary care of at least one child, section 8 requires a set-off of the amounts each would pay for the children in the other home. The calculator handles both arrangements and shows the underlying table amounts, not just the net figure.
Incomes Over $150,000
Above $150,000, the table applies to the first $150,000 and the court has discretion over the balance. In practice, courts frequently extend the table formula, which is what this calculator shows, with a flag so you know the figure involves discretion. For business owners and professionals, the bigger question is usually what the guideline income actually is: salary, dividends, retained earnings, and personal expenses run through a corporation can all move the number. Our guide to high income child support covers this in detail.
Why This Calculator Also Shows Spousal Support
Child support and spousal support are calculated together, not separately. Child support takes priority, and every dollar of it changes the spousal support range under the with child support formula. A child support number on its own is half an answer, so this tool computes both at once, the way family law software used by lawyers does. For the spousal side in depth, see the Alberta spousal support calculator page or our child support and spousal support services.
Your Privacy
Most support calculators ask for your email or send your inputs to a server. This one does neither. The entire calculation runs in your browser, we never see your numbers, and there is nothing to sign up for. Print the report if you want a record; otherwise, closing the page erases everything.
Child Support Calculator FAQs
How accurate is this child support calculator?
The table amount comes directly from the official Alberta table in the Federal Child Support Guidelines, so for a T4 employee with straightforward income it should match the government look-up to the dollar. The spousal support range involves tax and benefit estimates and is an estimate for discussion. Accuracy always depends on using the correct guideline income, which for self-employed and incorporated parents is a legal question in itself.
Which child support tables does it use?
The federal child support tables that came into force on October 1, 2025, as published in Schedule I of the Federal Child Support Guidelines, using the Alberta table. Support for periods before October 2025 uses the older 2017 tables, which this calculator does not cover.
What income do I enter?
Total gross annual income before tax, generally line 15000 of the tax return. For self-employed parents, net business income after reasonable expenses. If income fluctuates, is partly non-taxable, or flows through a corporation, the guideline income may differ from the tax return and is worth having reviewed.
Does the 40 percent shared parenting threshold change support?
Yes. At 40 percent or more time with each parent, section 9 applies: the set-off of table amounts is the starting point, adjusted for the increased costs of shared parenting and each household's circumstances. The set-off is not automatic, which is why the calculator flags shared arrangements.
How much is child support for one child in Alberta?
It depends entirely on the paying parent's gross annual income. At $60,000 the Alberta table amount is $495 a month; at $100,000 it is $878; at $150,000 it is $1,326. Section 7 expenses such as childcare and extracurricular costs are shared on top of that. The table above sets out common figures, and the calculator gives the exact amount for any income.
When does child support end in Alberta?
Not automatically at 18. Support continues while a child remains a child of the marriage, which usually means still dependent through full-time education or because of a disability. For an adult child, support is often set differently again: under s. 3(2)(b) of the Guidelines the court can depart from the table amount and work from a budget for that child, counting their own income and resources first.
Does child support change if my income changes?
Yes. Child support is tied to income, and most agreements and orders require the parties to exchange tax returns each year and adjust. A material change in income is grounds to vary. Waiting to address a change can create arrears or an overpayment that is difficult to recover, so it is worth dealing with promptly.
What if the other parent will not disclose their income?
Disclosure is mandatory, not optional. Where a parent refuses to disclose, is under-employed, is paid in cash, or lives well beyond their declared income, the court can impute income under s. 19 of the Guidelines and calculate support on that figure instead. A calculator cannot do this: it needs a number to work from, which is one reason contested income cases need a lawyer.
Is this legal advice?
No. The calculator is general information and produces estimates. It assumes facts a lawyer would test, including guideline income and spousal support entitlement. Using it does not create a lawyer-client relationship. For advice on your situation, book a consultation.
Numbers Are the Start, Not the Answer
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