CCB is a tax-free monthly payment that helps eligible families with the cost of raising children under 18 years of age.
CCB is indexed to inflation and adjusted every July based on your family income from the previous year.
CCB also includes related provincial and territorial benefits, such as the Alberta child and family benefit (ACFB) and the Ontario trillium benefit (OTB).
Who is eligible for CCB?
You may be eligible for CCB if you meet all of the following conditions:
You live with a child who is under 18 years of age
You are primarily responsible for the care and upbringing of the child
You are a resident of Canada for tax purposes
You or your spouse or common-law partner are a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident, a protected person, a temporary resident who has lived in Canada for the previous 18 months, or an Indigenous person who meets the definition of Indian under the Indian Act
If you share custody of a child, you may still be eligible for 50% of the CCB payment that you would have received if you had full custody of the child.
How much can you get from CCB?
The amount of CCB you can get depends on the following factors:
The number and ages of your children
Your adjusted family net income
Your child’s eligibility for the disability tax credit
Your province or territory of residence
For the period of July 2023 to June 2024, the maximum annual CCB amounts for each child are as follows:
$7,437 ($619.75 per month) for children under the age of six
$6,275 ($522.91 per month) for children aged six through 17
An additional $3,173 ($264.41 per month) for children who are eligible for the disability tax credit
The minimum annual CCB amount for each family is $1,500 ($125 per month) regardless of the number of children.
You can use the child and family benefits calculator to estimate how much CCB you can get based on your specific situation.
How to apply for CCB?
If you are eligible for CCB, you need to apply for it as soon as possible after any of the following situations:
Your child is born
A child starts to live with you or you begin to share custody of a child
You or your spouse or common-law partner become a resident of Canada
To apply for CCB, you can use one of the following methods:
Use the [Apply for child benefits] online service through My Account
Complete and mail [Form RC66, Canada Child Benefits Application] to your tax centre
Contact the CRA at 1-800-387-1193
You and your spouse or common-law partner must file your income tax and benefit returns every year, even if you have no income, to keep getting your CCB payments.
Examples of CCB calculations
Here are some examples of how CCB is calculated for different families, based on the 2023-24 benefit year :
Family type | Number and ages of children | Adjusted family net income | CCB amount per year |
Single parent | One child under six | $25,000 | $7,437 |
Married couple | Two children under six | $45,000 | $13,874 |
Common-law couple | One child aged six to 17 | $65,000 | $3,275 |
Shared custody parents | One child under six | $35,000 each | $3,719 each |
Conclusion
CCB is a valuable benefit that can help you with the expenses of raising your children.
To get the most out of CCB, you should apply as soon as you are eligible, file your tax returns every year, and update your personal information with the CRA whenever there is a change in your family situation.
This blog is meant for educational purpose only, please consult professional before making any decisions
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