2019 Child Support Calculator Ontario

This calculator helps you determine the correct child support amount for Ontario parents in 2019, based on the province's official guidelines. The calculation takes into account both parents' incomes, shared custody arrangements, and other relevant factors.

How the 2019 Ontario Child Support Calculator Works

The Ontario Child Support Guidelines (OCSG) provide a framework for calculating child support payments. The 2019 version of these guidelines was based on the following key principles:

Income Considerations

The calculation starts with both parents' net incomes. Net income is determined by subtracting deductions from gross income, including income tax, CPP contributions, and other allowable expenses.

Net Income = Gross Income - Deductions

Shared Custody Factor

If the child spends time with both parents, the calculation adjusts for the percentage of time the child spends with each parent. This is calculated as:

Adjusted Income = (Parent 1 Income × % Time with Parent 1) + (Parent 2 Income × % Time with Parent 2)

Child Support Percentage

The Ontario Child Support Guidelines use a sliding scale based on the combined net income of both parents. The percentage of income that goes to child support increases as the combined income rises.

Combined Net Income	Child Support Percentage
Up to $40,000	17.5%
$40,001 - $60,000	18.5%
$60,001 - $80,000	19.5%
$80,001 - $100,000	20.5%
Over $100,000	21.5%

Final Calculation

The final child support amount is calculated by applying the appropriate percentage to the adjusted income:

Child Support Amount = Adjusted Income × Child Support Percentage

This formula ensures that child support payments are fair and based on the financial circumstances of both parents.

Worked Example

Let's walk through an example to see how the calculation works in practice.

Scenario

Parent A earns $50,000 per year and Parent B earns $40,000 per year. The child spends 50% of the time with each parent.

Step 1: Calculate Net Incomes

Assuming both parents have the same deductions, their net incomes are:

Parent A Net Income: $50,000 × 0.75 = $37,500
Parent B Net Income: $40,000 × 0.75 = $30,000

Step 2: Apply Shared Custody Factor

The child spends 50% of the time with each parent, so we adjust the incomes:

Adjusted Parent A Income: $37,500 × 0.5 = $18,750
Adjusted Parent B Income: $30,000 × 0.5 = $15,000

Step 3: Calculate Combined Adjusted Income

Combined Adjusted Income = $18,750 + $15,000 = $33,750

Step 4: Determine Child Support Percentage

Based on the table above, $33,750 falls in the $30,001-$40,000 range, which corresponds to 17.5%.

Step 5: Calculate Child Support Amount

Child Support Amount = $33,750 × 0.175 = $5,906.25 per year

This means Parent A would pay $5,906.25 per year in child support, or approximately $492.25 per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does shared custody affect child support calculations?

Shared custody means the child spends time with both parents. The Ontario Child Support Guidelines adjust the calculation by applying the percentage of time the child spends with each parent to their respective incomes before calculating the total child support amount.

What deductions are allowed when calculating net income?

Allowable deductions include income tax, Canada Pension Plan (CPP) contributions, and other expenses that are legally recognized as part of a parent's financial obligations. These deductions reduce the gross income to determine the net income used in the calculation.

How often are child support payments made?

Child support payments are typically made monthly. The annual amount calculated by the Ontario Child Support Guidelines is divided by 12 to determine the monthly payment amount.

Can child support amounts be modified if circumstances change?

Yes, child support amounts can be reviewed and modified if there are significant changes in either parent's financial situation or the child's custody arrangement. Parents should notify the appropriate child support agency if such changes occur.