Child Support Service

Child Support Calculation

Parents (or legal decision-makers) who have not determined child support may apply to the Child Support Service to administratively calculate child support amounts. An initial child support calculation is based on income from one or both parents, depending on the type of parenting arrangement.

Calculation applies if there is no previous agreement or court order for child support in place.

An initial child support calculation is based on income from one or both parents, depending on the type of parenting arrangement. A calculation decision specifies the child support amount and start date of the payments.

The decision is provided to both parties. If the decision is filed with the court, it can be enforced like a court order. If a parent disagrees with the decision, they have the option to apply to court for a child support order.

To have your support payments collected by the Maintenance Enforcement Office or to request a child support recalculation, you must first file a calculation decision with the court. An affidavit must be completed and filed with the court with the calculation decision. An instruction sheet outlines the necessary steps to file the affidavit in court.

Child Support Recalculation

The Child Support Service can administratively recalculate child support payments if there is an existing child support agreement or order in place.

Recalculations can be completed six months from the date of the most recent agreement, court order, recalculation decision, calculation decision or family arbitration award. A party can apply by completing an application form.

The Child Support Service does not follow scheduled payment adjustments that may be set out in an existing child support document. For example, a clause that states payments will be adjusted based on the exchange of income tax in a specific month each year may not apply to recalculation. Child support amounts may increase, decrease, or there may be no change depending on the income of the payor.

A recalculation decision specifies the recalculated child support amount and start date. The decision is provided to both parties and filed with the court. If the parties notify the Service they have a case file with the Maintenance Enforcement Office, a copy of the decision is sent to that office.

Parties have 30 days to apply to court to vary or suspend the recalculation decision.

Any parent or guardian who needs to determine child support amounts may apply for Child Support Calculation. Parents who already receive child support may apply for recalculation after six months based on a change in income.

There is no cost for calculation or recalculation. Please note that the following restrictions apply:

Calculation and Recalculation of Child Support is NOT possible if:

• Payor has self-employment, farming or rental income;
• A parent resides outside of Saskatchewan, unless that party agrees to use the service; or
• A court date has been set to hear an application for child support.

Recalculation of Child Support is NOT possible if:

1. Less than six months have passed since the date of the most recent child support order, agreement, recalculation decision, calculation decision or family arbitration award
2. The payor’s income in the order was imputed
3. The income of the payor was $150,000 or higher at the time of the child support document
4. The amount of support was not determined based on the Child Support Guidelines
5. The child support document indicates the child support amount cannot be recalculated
6. Payor stands in the place of a parent (in loco parentis)
7. The applicant is the payor and is not receiving income unless the recipient agrees to a recalculation

Please contact the Child Support Service if your child support agreement was made prior to March 15, 2018, to determine your eligibility for recalculation.

The Child Support Service does not calculate or recalculate retroactive payments, arrears or extraordinary expenses as described under Section 7 of the Federal Child Support Guidelines.

If you are ineligible for a calculation or recalculation, or if you would like additional information about your options, you may contact the Child Support Service directly.

The Family Law Information Centre will also provide information regarding your options at no cost. You can contact the Family Law Information Centre at familylaw@gov.sk.ca or by calling 306-787-5837 or calling toll free at 1-888-218-2822.

Alternatively, you may wish to contact a private lawyer.

Justice Canada has an online look-up to determine the amount of child support that would be payable based on the Federal Child Support Guideline Tables.

Request an initial child support calculation if you do not have an existing child support order or agreement.

Learn how to apply for calculation of child support

Application for Calculation

Request a child support recalculation if you have an existing child support document such as:

• an agreement;
• court order;
• calculation decision;
• recalculation decision; or
• family arbitration award.

Learn how to apply for recalculation of child support

Application for Recalculation

For recalculation, one of the above documents must be submitted with an application form.

Once you have completed an application form and saved it as a PDF, please email it as an attachment to childsupportservice@gov.sk.ca or print and send to:

Child Support Service
Room 323 - 3085 Albert Street
Regina, SK  S4S 0B1

Fax: 306-787-2599

If you cannot access the form online, please contact the Child Support Service to request a copy of the application form or if you have any questions.

The Child Support Service does not calculate or recalculate retroactive payments, arrears or extra­ ordinary expenses as described under Section 7 of the Federal Child Support Guidelines.

Income Information

The Child Support Service requires a payor to provide comprehensive income information. The Service uses the most current income to determine child support amounts. In most cases, taxable income from the previous year is used for applications received between January 1 to April 30. Applications that are received from May 1 to December 31 are calculated based on income for the current year.

If the payor does not submit information such as employment details, income records and income tax information directly, the Service may take steps to locate and gather income details from other sources – such as contacting the payor’s employer.

This process involves using income listed in the most recent child support document and applying an increase of 10 to 30 per cent, depending on how much time has passed since that document was issued.

This approach ensures the child continues to receive a fair level of support, even when the payor does not update their actual income. The amount of child support is calculated and recalculated by applying the payor’s gross annual income to the Federal Child support Guidelines Tables.

Information Regarding the Other Party

It is important to share as much information about the other party as possible, including contact details like a phone number or email address. This information allows the Service to make every effort to contact the other parent., The other parent must be aware of the application to proceed with a calculation or recalculation.

The Child Support Service is a pilot project expansion of the Child Support Recalculation Service with financial support from the Federal Department of Justice through the Canadian Family Justice Fund.

For more detailed information about legal obligations and a child's right to child support, read the Paying Child Support: What you need to know fact sheet.