How is Child Support Calculated in Alberta? A Self-Rep’s Guide
- Jamie-Lee Denton
- Apr 16
- 3 min read

Child support can be one of the toughest issues to sort out when parents separate in Alberta. And if you’re representing yourself, terms like Federal Guidelines, Section 7 expenses, or imputed income can feel overwhelming. But they don’t have to be. With the right guidance, these concepts become much easier to understand and work through. Alberta uses the Federal Child Support Guidelines as its compass through murky financial water. The guideline establishes fair, standardized payments based on:
The paying parent's income
The number of children
The parenting time arrangement
Any special expenses
This guide will walk you through each element of the calculation, provide real-world examples, and point you to free resources that can help. By the end, you'll understand:
✔ Exactly how basic child support amounts are determined
✔ What counts as income (and what doesn't)
✔ How to calculate shared expenses like daycare or sports
✔ What to do if your situation changes
The Basic Child Support Calculation
How the Federal Guidelines Work
The heart of Alberta's system is the Federal Child Support Tables. These provide set child support amounts based on:
The paying parent's gross annual income (before taxes)
The province (Alberta has its own table)
The number of children needing support
2024 Example: A parent earning $75,000/year would pay:
$755/month for one child
$1,189/month for two children
$1,581/month for three children
Finding Your Amount
You can look up exact numbers using:

The official Government of Canada Child Support Table Lookup
Alberta's free Online Child Support Calculator
Pro Tip: Always use the most current tables - amounts adjust annually for inflation.
Determining Income - The Tricky Parts
What Counts as Income?
The Court consider all sources, including:
Employment income (salary, wages, tips)
Bonuses and commissions
Self-employment income
Rental income
Certain government benefits (EI, disability)
Investment income
Special Situations
Self-Employment:
Use line 15000 from your tax return
Add back certain deductions (like depreciation)
Irregular Income:
Average income over 3 years for seasonal workers
Imputed Income:
If a parent is underemployed (e.g., quit a job), courts may assign what they could earn based on an objective wage in the relevant industry
Red Flag: Be prepared to prove income if the other parent is self-employed or paid in cash. Request recent tax returns and pay stubs.
Section 3: Special Expenses (Section 7)
What Qualifies?
These are costs beyond basic support, including:
✅ Childcare necessary for work/school
✅ Health-related expenses (braces, counseling)
✅ Educational needs (tutoring, private school)
✅ Extracurricular activities (within reason)
How Costs Are Split
Expenses are divided proportionally based on parents' incomes.
Example Calculation:
Parent A earns $90,000
Parent B earns $60,000
Total income = $150,000
Parent A pays 60% (90k/90k/150k)
Parent B pays 40% (60k/60k/150k)
If hockey costs $2,000/year:
Parent A pays $1,200
Parent B pays $800
Section 4: Shared Parenting Adjustments
When children spend 40-60% of time with each parent, support works differently:
Calculate what each parent would pay if they were the sole payor
Subtract the smaller amount from the larger
The parent who would pay more makes the difference
Example:

Parent A would pay $800/month as sole payor
Parent B would pay $500/month as sole payor
Parent A pays Parent B 300/month(300/month(800 - $500)
Section 5: Changing Support Orders
When Modifications Are Allowed
You can request changes if there's a:
Significant income change (±20%)
Major change in parenting time
Change in child's needs
The Process
Recalculate using current numbers
File a Variation Application
Serve the other parent
Attend a hearing if contested
Key Point: Keep paying the current amount until the court changes it.
Conclusion: Next Steps for Self-Represented Parents
Now that you understand the calculations:
Gather Documents:
3 years of tax returns
Recent pay stubs
Receipts for special expenses
Use Free Tools:
Alberta's calculator
Court forms and guides
TSL Child Support Scratch Sheet
Consider Help Options:
The SelfRep Lawyer
Legal Aid Alberta
Family Justice Services
Download our Scratch Sheet for Free and start calculating your support
Remember: While the system has clear rules, each family's situation is unique. If your case involves complex assets, high incomes, or disputes about parenting time, consulting a family lawyer for even just a few hours can prevent costly mistakes. If you are a payor or you are expecting to receive child support and would like more information, book a consultation with Jamie-Lee right away or select one of our services to get a free 15-minute call.
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