Legal & Regulatory · Family law
Shared parenting offset (section 9).
When each parent has the child at least 40% of the year, section 9 says the table amounts for both parents, the extra cost of shared time and each parent’s means and needs all count. Justice Canada’s guide shows the set-off as one starting point. This tool shows both table amounts, the set-off between them, and an optional adjustment you enter. It does not predict an order.
The set-off is the higher parent’s table amount minus the lower parent’s. Section 9 is not a formula, so treat it as a starting point for the parties or a court, not the answer.
Inputs
Table amounts and set-off
Enter incomes and parenting time, then press Calculate.
The 40% threshold
Section 9 of the Federal Child Support Guidelines applies if each spouse exercises not less than 40% of parenting time with a child over the course of a year. Below that, the parent with the majority of parenting time receives the plain table amount from the other parent (section 3).
The set-off in Justice Canada’s guide
In its worked example, each parent looks up the table amount they would pay if the other had the children, then the lower amount is subtracted from the higher. The guide then adds a further amount agreed for the extra expenses one parent carries. It describes this as “just one example” of how to determine a support amount when parenting time is shared, because the Guidelines allow some discretion in weighing the factors.
Why this tool shows reference points, not a verdict
The set-off and the table amounts are drawn from the tables. The increased-cost and means-and-needs factors in section 9(b) and (c) come from your own facts. Two families with the same incomes and the same time split can get different results.
Frequently asked questions
What is the 40% rule for child support in Canada?
Under section 9 of the Federal Child Support Guidelines, if each parent has the child at least 40% of the time over a year, the amount is set by considering both parents' table amounts, the increased costs of shared parenting, and each parent's means and needs.
Is the set-off amount what I will pay?
Not necessarily. The set-off is the approach in Justice Canada's guide, but the Guidelines say the table amounts are only one of three things to consider.
What if one parent has under 40%?
Section 9 does not apply. The parent with less than 40% pays the table amount for their income and province.
Which province's table does each parent use?
Justice Canada's guide says that if parents live in different provinces and share parenting time, use the table for each province to find what each would pay.
Does this include section 7 expenses?
No. Child care, health and school costs are separate. Use the section 7 split calculator.
Can I use this for an agreement?
Use it to see where the table figures sit. An agreement or order should be reviewed by a family lawyer or family justice service.
Sources
Verified 16 October 2026. Every rate, rule and table row used here was read on the official page listed below.
- Federal Child Support Guidelines, SOR/97-175 (ss. 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10), Justice Laws Website
- Justice Canada, Step-by-Step guide, step 6: finding the table amount
- Justice Canada, Step-by-Step guide, step 4: which table applies
- Federal Child Support Guidelines, Schedule I: Federal Child Support Tables (2025), Justice Laws Website
Not legal advice
This is general information built from the published Federal Child Support Guidelines tables. It is not legal advice and it is not an official calculation. Only the table in the regulation is the legal version, and a court or agreement can set a different amount. Income for child support is defined by the Guidelines, not by your tax return alone. For an order or agreement, talk to a family lawyer, a family law information centre or your provincial family justice service.