Childcare cost split.

Not medical advice. This is arithmetic, not legal or tax advice. Child care costs may also affect tax deductions and benefits, and a separation agreement or court order controls who owes what; check with a lawyer or accountant.

Worked example

Childcare is $2,000 a month and Parent A earns $60,000 against Parent B’s $40,000. Income shares are 60% and 40%, so A pays $1,200 a month ($14,400 a year) and B pays $800 ($9,600 a year). Split equally, each pays $1,000. With a $500 monthly subsidy, the $1,500 left is split instead.

How it works

Weekly and yearly costs are converted to a month (52 / 12 weeks per month). Any subsidy per month is subtracted first. For an income split, Parent A’s share = A’s income / (A + B). For a custom split, A pays the percentage you enter and B pays the rest. Per-child cost is the net monthly cost divided by the number of children.

Sources and basis: arithmetic on the numbers you enter. No external rate or guideline is applied; courts and agreements can use other formulas.

FAQ

How do I split childcare costs fairly?

Common approaches are 50/50 or in proportion to each parent’s income. This calculator does either, or any percentage you choose.

Should the split use gross or net income?

Either, as long as you use the same basis for both parents. Net income reflects what each can spend; gross is simpler to document.

How does a subsidy change the split?

The subsidy is taken off the total first and only the remaining cost is split.

Does this include the child care tax deduction?

No. The deduction affects who gets the tax benefit; see the child care expenses calculator for the Canadian deduction.

Is this what a court would order?

Not necessarily. Courts and agreements may use different rules. Ask a lawyer.