How do I read the Ontario child support tables to find the right monthly amount?

The Ontario child support tables are organized by annual income (in increments) and number of children. To use them, you need to know the payor's gross annual income and the number of children being supported. You find the income row that matches the payor's income, then move to the column for the number of children, and the cell gives you the monthly base amount.

Income is generally taken from the payor's most recent federal income tax return and Notice of Assessment, with adjustments under Schedule III of the Guidelines where applicable. The tables for Ontario are specific to the province — each province has its own table because the cost of living and provincial tax rates vary. Using another province's table would give an inaccurate result.

The table amounts cover basic child-related costs but do not include section 7 special expenses, which are calculated and shared separately. They also do not automatically adjust for shared or split custody, which require additional steps. The tables are publicly available on the federal government's website. While reading the table is straightforward, accurately determining the payor's income — especially for self-employed individuals or business owners — is often where disputes arise. A lawyer or family law financial professional can help you work through the income figure with confidence.