Are Extracurricular Activities Shared Under Child Support in Ontario?

Hockey registration, music lessons, summer camps and tournament travel add up quickly. If you are the parent paying for them, it is natural to ask whether the other parent has to share the cost, or whether it is all covered by the basic monthly support amount.

The answer is not automatic. Child support law treats only some activity costs as shareable. This article explains the test the Guidelines use, how the split works, and what to gather before you raise it.

When can the other parent be asked to contribute?

On either parent's request, a court can provide for an amount to cover all or part of certain listed special or extraordinary expenses. Extraordinary expenses for extracurricular activities are one of the listed categories. This amount is in addition to the basic table amount, not a replacement for it.

The key word is 'extraordinary'. An activity does not qualify only because you pay for it and your child enjoys it. The Guidelines set out a specific test, covered next.

How 'extraordinary' is judged

An expense is extraordinary if it is more than the parent asking for the amount can reasonably cover. That test looks at the requesting parent's own finances, so the same activity can be extraordinary for one family and not for another.

Even if the cost is affordable, the court may still find it extraordinary. It looks at the nature and number of the activities, the child's talents and special needs, and the overall cost. Justice Canada's guide describes the same two routes.

How this applies to a particular activity depends on your situation, so it is worth confirming with a lawyer.

How the cost is shared

Special or extraordinary expenses are shared by the parents in proportion to their incomes, after deducting any contribution from the child.

Justice Canada gives an example. A parent earning $80,000 of a combined $155,000 paid about $516.13 per month toward a $12,000 yearly special expense, in addition to a $765 basic table amount. That shows the method: work out each parent's share of the combined income, then apply that share to the expense.

The court must also take into account any subsidies, benefits or income tax deductions or credits relating to the expense. If an activity attracts a tax credit or a subsidy, the net cost may be lower than the sticker price. An accountant can confirm which credits apply to your situation.

How activities compare with other special expenses

Extracurricular costs sit in the same section as several other categories. Knowing the others helps you see what belongs where.

If your child's costs fall into more than one category, each is looked at under its own wording.

What to do next

Start with a clear picture of what you are paying and why it matters for your child. Then raise it with the other parent, ideally in writing. Only a court can change the amount of support, and the Family Responsibility Office says it cannot change what a payor pays. If you cannot agree, the next step is usually to speak with a lawyer about asking the court.

• Collect receipts and registration confirmations for each activity.
• Write down what each activity costs per month or per season.
• Note your child's involvement, any talent or special needs, and how long they have taken part.
• Gather both parents' recent income information.
• Note any subsidies, credits or contributions from the child.
• Keep receipts in an organized file, since receipts are required to claim special expenses through the Family Responsibility Office.

Frequently asked questions