Canada Child Benefit Overview
What is CCB?
| Feature |
Details |
| Type |
Tax-free monthly payment |
| For |
Families with children under 18 |
| Administered by |
CRA |
| Income-tested |
Higher income = lower benefit |
CCB Maximum Amounts 2026
Per Child Maximum
| Age |
Annual Maximum |
Monthly |
| Under 6 |
~$7,787 |
~$649 |
| 6 to 17 |
~$6,570 |
~$548 |
With Disability
| Child with Disability |
Additional |
| Child Disability Benefit |
~$3,322/year |
| Monthly |
~$277 |
Income Thresholds
When Clawback Begins
| Threshold |
Amount |
| Full benefit up to |
~$36,502 |
| Reduced above |
This amount |
Reduction Rates
| Adjusted Family Net Income |
Reduction Rate |
| $36,502 - $79,087 |
7% (1 child), 13.5% (2+) |
| Over $79,087 |
3.2% (1 child), 5.7% (2+) |
CCB Calculation Examples
Family with 2 Children (Under 6)
| Family Income |
Annual CCB |
Monthly |
| $30,000 |
~$15,574 |
~$1,298 |
| $50,000 |
~$13,693 |
~$1,141 |
| $75,000 |
~$10,322 |
~$860 |
| $100,000 |
~$8,522 |
~$710 |
| $150,000 |
~$5,322 |
~$444 |
| $200,000 |
~$2,722 |
~$227 |
Single Child (Age 8)
| Family Income |
Annual CCB |
Monthly |
| $30,000 |
~$6,570 |
~$548 |
| $50,000 |
~$5,625 |
~$469 |
| $75,000 |
~$4,240 |
~$353 |
| $100,000 |
~$3,440 |
~$287 |
2026 CCB Payment Dates
Monthly Schedule
| Month |
Payment Date |
| January |
January 20 |
| February |
February 20 |
| March |
March 20 |
| April |
April 17 (weekend adjust) |
| May |
May 20 |
| June |
June 20 |
| July |
July 18 |
| August |
August 20 |
| September |
September 19 |
| October |
October 20 |
| November |
November 20 |
| December |
December 12 (holiday adjust) |
Note: Dates adjust for weekends and holidays.
How CCB is Calculated
| Component |
Details |
| Base benefit |
Per child, by age |
| Minus reduction |
Based on income |
| Plus CDB |
If child has disability |
| Equals |
Your CCB |
What Counts as Income
| Included |
Not Included |
| Employment |
CCB itself |
| Self-employment |
GST/HST credits |
| Investment income |
UCCB (old program) |
| RRSP withdrawals |
Tax refunds |
| Rental income |
Child support received |
Eligibility Requirements
Who Can Apply
| Requirement |
Details |
| Canadian resident |
For tax purposes |
| Live with child |
Primarily responsible |
| Child under 18 |
Born alive |
| Valid SIN |
For applicant |
Shared Custody
| Arrangement |
CCB Split |
| 50/50 custody |
50% each parent |
| Other splits |
Proportional |
| Primary custody |
Full amount |
How to Apply
Application Methods
| New Child |
Method |
| At birth |
Through Automated Benefits Application (birth registration) |
| New to Canada |
Form RC66 |
| Custody change |
Update through My Account |
Required Documents
| Document |
When Needed |
| Birth registration |
New baby |
| Immigration docs |
New residents |
| Custody agreement |
Shared custody |
Connection to Tax Returns
Annual Review
| Action |
Importance |
| File tax return |
Both parents |
| By April 30 |
To continue CCB |
| Income determines |
Next year’s CCB |
July Recalculation
| When |
What Happens |
| July each year |
CCB recalculated |
| Based on |
Previous year income |
| New amount |
Until next July |
Provincial Child Benefits
Additional to CCB
| Province |
Additional Benefit |
| Ontario |
Ontario Child Benefit |
| BC |
BC Family Benefit |
| Alberta |
Alberta Child Benefit |
| Quebec |
Family Allowance |
Example: Ontario
| Ontario Child Benefit |
Additional |
| Maximum |
~$1,607/child |
| Combined with CCB |
Significant support |
Tax Implications
CCB is Tax-Free
| Feature |
Details |
| Taxable |
No |
| Report on return |
No |
| Affects benefits |
No |
Common CCB Issues
Payments Stopped?
| Reason |
Solution |
| Didn’t file taxes |
File ASAP |
| Child turned 18 |
Payments end |
| Moved |
Update address |
| Custody change |
Update CRA |
Overpayment
| If Overpaid |
What Happens |
| Income increased |
May owe some back |
| Repayment |
Deducted from future CCB |
| Payment plan |
Available if needed |
Maximizing CCB
Strategies
| Strategy |
Benefit |
| Lower taxable income |
RRSP contributions |
| Split income properly |
Where allowed |
| File returns on time |
Avoid interruption |
| Update changes |
Custody, address |
RRSP to Increase CCB
| $10,000 RRSP |
Impact |
| Reduces income |
By $10,000 |
| Increases CCB |
~$700-$1,350 |
| Plus tax savings |
~$3,000+ |
| Total benefit |
Significant |
CCB vs TFSA
Where to Save CCB
| Option |
Benefit |
| RESP |
Grants for child |
| TFSA |
Tax-free growth |
| Debt payment |
Best return |
| Emergency fund |
Security |