Saskatchewan child support is calculated using the Federal Child Support Guidelines (SOR/97-175), which set monthly payment amounts based on the paying parent's gross annual income and the number of children. For a parent earning $80,000 annually, the 2025 Federal Child Support Tables for Saskatchewan set the base monthly amount at approximately $729 for one child and $1,109 for two children. Saskatchewan's free Child Support Service can perform this calculation administratively, without requiring a court application.
Key Facts: Saskatchewan Child Support
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Governing Law (Federal) | Divorce Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 3 (2nd Supp.), s. 15.1 |
| Governing Law (Provincial) | Family Maintenance Act, 1997, S.S. 1997, c. F-6.2 |
| Calculation Method | Federal Child Support Guidelines Tables (SOR/97-175) |
| Tables Last Updated | October 1, 2025 (reflecting 2023 tax rules) |
| Divorce Filing Fee | ~$300 petition + ~$95 judgment application |
| Residency Requirement | 1 year in Saskatchewan before filing |
| Grounds for Divorce | 1-year separation, adultery, or cruelty |
| Free Recalculation Service | Yes, through Saskatchewan Child Support Service |
| Shared Parenting Threshold | 40% parenting time per parent triggers adjusted calculation |
| Age of Support Obligation | Under 18, or over 18 if dependent due to illness, disability, or education |
How the Saskatchewan Child Support Calculator Works
The Saskatchewan child support calculator applies the Federal Child Support Guidelines Tables to the paying parent's gross annual income, producing a base monthly support amount that varies by province due to differing provincial tax rates. Saskatchewan uses the same Guidelines as all other Canadian provinces and territories, but the Saskatchewan-specific table reflects Saskatchewan's income tax structure, meaning the monthly amount for a given income level differs from Alberta or Ontario. The Federal Child Support Guidelines, s. 3(1) establishes that unless the court orders otherwise, the amount of child support is the amount set out in the applicable provincial table.
To use a child support calculator for Saskatchewan, a parent needs three core inputs: the paying parent's gross annual income (line 15000 of the T1 tax return), the number of children requiring support, and the parenting time arrangement. The Department of Justice Canada maintains an official online table look-up tool at justice.gc.ca that provides exact amounts from the current tables. Third-party calculators from services like Divorcepath, MySupportCalculator, and ChildView provide additional features such as Section 7 expense splitting and shared parenting adjustments.
2025 Federal Child Support Table Amounts for Saskatchewan
The Federal Child Support Tables set out fixed monthly amounts based on the paying parent's gross annual income and number of children. These amounts were last updated on October 1, 2025, reflecting 2023 Canadian tax rules. The table below shows approximate monthly base amounts for common income levels in Saskatchewan, as published in the 2025 Simplified Federal Child Support Tables.
| Gross Annual Income | 1 Child | 2 Children | 3 Children | 4 Children |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $275 | $455 | $556 | $620 |
| $40,000 | $370 | $595 | $722 | $818 |
| $50,000 | $461 | $728 | $888 | $1,011 |
| $60,000 | $546 | $856 | $1,048 | $1,196 |
| $70,000 | $638 | $984 | $1,201 | $1,369 |
| $80,000 | $729 | $1,109 | $1,347 | $1,535 |
| $100,000 | $893 | $1,340 | $1,622 | $1,845 |
| $120,000 | $1,048 | $1,558 | $1,881 | $2,138 |
| $150,000 | $1,286 | $1,889 | $2,271 | $2,578 |
These figures represent the base monthly child support obligation under Federal Child Support Guidelines, s. 3 for a sole-parenting arrangement where one parent has the child more than 60% of the time. Amounts are rounded to the nearest dollar and are based on the 2025 Simplified Federal Child Support Tables for Saskatchewan. As of March 2026, verify current amounts using the Department of Justice Canada's official table look-up tool.
For incomes exceeding $150,000, the tables provide a base amount for the first $150,000 plus a percentage of income above that threshold, calculated according to Federal Child Support Guidelines, s. 4. A parent earning $200,000 would pay the table amount for $150,000 plus a prescribed percentage on the additional $50,000.
Step-by-Step: Calculating Child Support in Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan parents can calculate child support in 5 steps without hiring a lawyer, using the Federal Child Support Guidelines Tables and the free provincial Child Support Service. The entire administrative calculation process costs $0 and typically takes 4 to 6 weeks from application to decision.
Step 1: Determine the Paying Parent's Gross Annual Income
Gross annual income is the starting point for every child support calculation in Saskatchewan. Under Federal Child Support Guidelines, s. 16, income is determined using line 15000 of the most recent T1 General Income Tax Return, then adjusted according to Schedule III of the Guidelines. Common adjustments include adding back capital gains exemptions, deducting union dues paid for employment, and accounting for self-employment income averaging. For salaried employees, the calculation is straightforward: gross employment income before deductions equals the starting figure. For self-employed parents, the court or calculator must account for business expenses, retained corporate earnings, and income splitting arrangements.
Step 2: Identify the Number of Children
The Federal Child Support Tables provide separate columns for 1, 2, 3, and 4 or more children. Under Saskatchewan's Family Maintenance Act, 1997, s. 3, a parent has an obligation to provide maintenance for his or her child to the extent that the parent is capable of doing so. Children under 18 are automatically included in the table amount. Children over 18 may qualify for continued support if they remain dependent due to illness, disability, or full-time enrollment in post-secondary education, as provided under Divorce Act, s. 15.1(1).
Step 3: Determine the Parenting Time Arrangement
The parenting time split directly affects which calculation method applies under the Federal Child Support Guidelines. Saskatchewan recognizes three primary arrangements:
- Sole parenting: One parent has the child more than 60% of the time. The standard table amount under Federal Child Support Guidelines, s. 3 applies directly.
- Shared parenting: Each parent has the child at least 40% of the time. Under Federal Child Support Guidelines, s. 9, both parents' incomes are considered, and the higher-income parent typically pays the difference between the two table amounts, adjusted for increased costs.
- Split parenting: Each parent has primary parenting time for at least one child. Under Federal Child Support Guidelines, s. 8, each parent pays the table amount for the children in the other parent's care, and the lower amount is set off against the higher.
Step 4: Account for Section 7 Special Expenses
Beyond the base table amount, Federal Child Support Guidelines, s. 7 allows courts to add amounts for special or extraordinary expenses. These expenses are shared between parents in proportion to their respective incomes. Eligible Section 7 expenses in Saskatchewan include:
- Childcare expenses incurred due to employment, illness, disability, or education
- Health-related expenses exceeding $100 annually not covered by insurance
- Extraordinary expenses for primary or secondary education
- Post-secondary education expenses
- Extraordinary extracurricular activity expenses
For example, if annual childcare costs $12,000 and the paying parent earns 65% of the combined parental income, that parent's share of childcare under Section 7 is $7,800 annually ($650 per month), added on top of the base table amount. Section 7 expenses must be both necessary for the child's best interests and reasonable given the parents' combined financial means.
Step 5: Apply for Calculation Through the Child Support Service
Saskatchewan offers a free, government-administered Child Support Service that calculates child support amounts without requiring a court application. Parents apply by completing a form through the Saskatchewan Ministry of Justice. The service applies the paying parent's gross annual income to the Federal Child Support Tables, produces a calculation decision, and files that decision with the Court of King's Bench. Both parents receive the decision and have 30 days to apply to court if they disagree with the result. This service was strengthened by the Family Maintenance Amendment Act, 2023, which came into force on September 15, 2023, making the administrative process more accessible.
Shared Parenting Time and the 40% Threshold
When each parent exercises at least 40% of parenting time with a child over the course of a year, Saskatchewan courts apply the shared parenting calculation under Federal Child Support Guidelines, s. 9, which typically results in a lower child support amount than the standard table. The 40% threshold equals approximately 146 nights per year. Under this provision, courts consider three factors: the table amounts for each parent based on their respective incomes, the increased costs of shared parenting arrangements (such as maintaining two bedrooms and duplicate supplies), and the conditions, means, needs, and circumstances of each parent and child.
In practice, the shared parenting calculation often produces a "set-off" amount where the higher-income parent pays the difference between the two table amounts, though courts retain discretion to adjust this figure. For example, if Parent A earns $90,000 (table amount: $811 for one child) and Parent B earns $50,000 (table amount: $461 for one child), the set-off amount would be approximately $350 per month before any discretionary adjustments. Saskatchewan courts have consistently held that the 40% threshold must be calculated based on actual parenting time exercised, not merely the time allocated in a parenting order.
Undue Hardship Claims in Saskatchewan
A parent in Saskatchewan can apply to pay less (or receive more) than the table amount by claiming undue hardship under Federal Child Support Guidelines, s. 10. Undue hardship claims succeed in fewer than 10% of cases nationally because the applicant must prove two conditions: that compliance with the table amount causes genuine hardship, and that the applicant's household standard of living is lower than the other parent's household. Saskatchewan courts assess household standard of living using Schedule II of the Guidelines, which compares household income ratios accounting for all household members.
Circumstances that may establish undue hardship include:
- Unusually high debts reasonably incurred to support the family before separation
- Unusually high expenses to exercise parenting time (such as long-distance travel costs)
- A legal obligation to support another person (such as a child from another relationship)
- A legal obligation to support a dependent child who is not part of the current proceeding
The court may order a different amount for a specified period or indefinitely. Even when undue hardship is established, the resulting child support amount cannot drop to zero unless truly extraordinary circumstances exist.
Saskatchewan's Free Child Support Recalculation Service
Saskatchewan's Child Support Service provides free administrative recalculation of existing child support orders every 6 months, making it one of Canada's most accessible recalculation programs. The service recalculates child support based on the paying parent's most recent income tax return and current income, applying the Federal Child Support Tables without requiring either parent to file a court application. This service was established under the Family Maintenance Act, 1997 and expanded by the Family Maintenance Amendment Act, 2023 (in force September 15, 2023).
The recalculation process works as follows:
- Either parent submits an application (no cost)
- The service requests income information from the paying parent and the Canada Revenue Agency
- A recalculation officer applies the current income to the Federal Child Support Tables
- A recalculation decision is issued and filed with the Court of King's Bench
- Both parents have 30 days to apply to court to challenge the decision
The service does not handle retroactive payments, arrears, or Section 7 extraordinary expenses. Parents seeking adjustments to those components must apply to the Court of King's Bench directly. The filing fee to vary a child support order is approximately $200. As of March 2026, verify current fees with the Court of King's Bench registry.
When Child Support Ends in Saskatchewan
Child support in Saskatchewan automatically applies to children under age 18 under both the Divorce Act, s. 15.1 and the Family Maintenance Act, 1997. Support does not automatically terminate when a child turns 18. Saskatchewan courts regularly order continued child support for adult children who remain dependent due to full-time enrollment in post-secondary education, illness, or disability. Courts assess whether the adult child has made reasonable efforts toward independence and whether continued dependency is genuine rather than voluntary.
For post-secondary students, Saskatchewan courts typically consider:
- Whether the child is enrolled full-time in a recognized educational program
- The child's academic performance and reasonable progress toward a degree or credential
- Whether the child contributes to their own support through part-time employment or student loans
- The duration and cost of the educational program
- Whether the parents would have supported the child's education had the family remained intact
Support for a post-secondary student usually continues until the child completes their first undergraduate degree or turns 23 to 25, though no fixed age cut-off exists in Saskatchewan law. Each case is determined on its specific facts.
Filing for Child Support in Saskatchewan Court
Filing a child support application at the Saskatchewan Court of King's Bench costs approximately $300 for the petition plus $95 for the Application for Judgment, totalling roughly $395 in court fees alone. Attorney fees for a contested child support matter in Saskatchewan range from $3,000 to $15,000 depending on complexity, while uncontested matters handled by a lawyer typically cost $1,500 to $3,500. The free Child Support Service provides an alternative for straightforward calculations that avoids these costs entirely.
To file in Saskatchewan, at least one parent must have been habitually resident in the province for a minimum of 1 year immediately preceding the filing, as required by Divorce Act, s. 3(1). For child support applications outside of divorce proceedings, the Family Maintenance Act, 1997 provides jurisdiction through the Saskatchewan Court of King's Bench regardless of whether the parents were married.
Required documents for a child support application include:
- Financial Statement (Form 16-17) disclosing income, expenses, assets, and liabilities
- Most recent 3 years of income tax returns and notices of assessment
- Recent pay stubs covering at least 3 months
- Proof of childcare, medical, and educational expenses (for Section 7 claims)
- Proposed parenting arrangement or existing parenting order
Frequently Asked Questions
How is child support calculated in Saskatchewan in 2026?
Saskatchewan child support is calculated using the Federal Child Support Guidelines Tables (SOR/97-175), based on the paying parent's gross annual income and number of children. At $60,000 annual income, the 2025 table amount for Saskatchewan is approximately $546 per month for one child. The tables were last updated on October 1, 2025.
Can I use a child support calculator for Saskatchewan online?
Yes. The Department of Justice Canada provides an official child support table look-up tool at justice.gc.ca that gives exact table amounts for Saskatchewan. Third-party Saskatchewan child support calculators from Divorcepath, MySupportCalculator, and ChildView offer additional features including Section 7 expense calculations, shared parenting adjustments, and court-ready PDF reports.
What income is used to calculate child support in Saskatchewan?
Saskatchewan child support calculations use the paying parent's gross annual income, starting with line 15000 of the most recent T1 General Income Tax Return. Under Federal Child Support Guidelines, s. 16-20, adjustments are made for self-employment deductions, capital gains, partnership income, and other sources. Courts can impute income if a parent is voluntarily underemployed or fails to disclose.
How does shared parenting time affect the Saskatchewan child support calculator?
When each parent has at least 40% parenting time (approximately 146 nights per year), Federal Child Support Guidelines, s. 9 requires a different calculation. Both parents' table amounts are considered, and the higher-income parent typically pays a reduced set-off amount. For example, parents earning $90,000 and $50,000 respectively might see a set-off of approximately $350 per month for one child.
What are Section 7 special expenses in Saskatchewan child support?
Section 7 expenses are costs beyond the base table amount that parents share proportionally based on income. Under Federal Child Support Guidelines, s. 7, eligible expenses include childcare ($0-$15,000+ annually), medical and dental costs exceeding $100 per year not covered by insurance, extraordinary education expenses, and post-secondary education costs. Both parents contribute in proportion to their respective gross incomes.
Can child support be changed after a Saskatchewan court order?
Yes. Saskatchewan offers a free Child Support Recalculation Service that can administratively adjust child support every 6 months based on updated income information, without a court application. For changes involving Section 7 expenses, parenting time modifications, or undue hardship claims, parents must apply to the Court of King's Bench. The filing fee to vary a child support order is approximately $200. As of March 2026, verify with your local Court of King's Bench registry.
Does child support in Saskatchewan end at age 18?
No. Child support in Saskatchewan does not automatically terminate at age 18. Under the Divorce Act, s. 15.1 and the Family Maintenance Act, 1997, courts can order continued support for adult children who remain dependent due to full-time post-secondary enrollment, illness, or disability. Support for university students typically continues until completion of a first degree, often to age 23-25.
What happens if a parent refuses to disclose income in Saskatchewan?
Saskatchewan courts take income non-disclosure seriously. Under Federal Child Support Guidelines, s. 19(1), if a parent fails to provide income information, the court can impute income based on available evidence, including Canada Revenue Agency records, lifestyle indicators, prior employment history, and local employment market conditions. Courts may also draw adverse inferences, attributing a higher income than the non-disclosing parent might actually earn.
How do I use the Saskatchewan child support worksheet for self-employed parents?
Self-employed parents in Saskatchewan require additional analysis beyond the standard child support calculator. Under Federal Child Support Guidelines, s. 18, courts examine gross business revenue minus legitimate operating expenses, then apply Schedule III adjustments. Common adjustments include adding back personal expenses claimed as business deductions, accounting for retained corporate earnings, and normalizing income across years with significant fluctuations. A 3-year income average is commonly used for parents with variable self-employment income.
Is the Saskatchewan child support calculator different from other provinces?
Yes. While all Canadian provinces use the Federal Child Support Guidelines framework, each province has its own table reflecting provincial income tax rates. The Saskatchewan child support calculator produces different monthly amounts than Alberta or Ontario calculators for the same income level. At $80,000 annual income with one child, the Saskatchewan table amount is approximately $729, compared to roughly $744 in Ontario and $703 in Alberta. These differences arise solely from provincial tax rate variations built into each province's Federal Child Support Table.