Canada Child Benefit Calculator
Estimate your monthly Canada Child Benefit (CCB) payment based on family income and number of children. Includes income-tested clawback calculation.
Family Information
Use your total family net income from your most recent tax return (Line 23600 for parents, combined if married).
Base Benefit (before clawback)
Clawback Calculation
Your CCB Payment
CCB is paid monthly, usually deposited on the 20th of each month.
CCB Information
What is the CCB?
The Canada Child Benefit (CCB) is a monthly payment from the Government of Canada to eligible families with dependent children under age 18. It replaced several other benefits in 2015.
2024-25 Payment Amounts
- Children under 6: max $7,787/year
- Children 6-17: max $6,570/year
Eligibility
Must be a Canadian resident, responsible for the child's care, and the child must be under 18. Benefit is based on combined family net income.
Clawback
Benefit reduces on a sliding scale once family income exceeds $36,502. Higher clawback rates apply for larger families. Benefit phases out completely at higher income levels.
How to Apply
File your tax return with the CRA each year. If you have a new baby, contact Service Canada to register.
Zero Benefit Threshold: At a family net income of approximately $142,850, your CCB benefit would be reduced to zero due to clawback.
Disclaimer: This calculator is for estimation based on 2024-25 CCB rates and is not official. Actual payments depend on your confirmed net income on your tax return and vary by province. For precise calculations and to apply, visit the Government of Canada website or contact Service Canada. The CRA updates rates annually in July.
What the Canada Child Benefit Pays
The CCB is a tax-free monthly payment from the federal government to eligible families with children under 18. Maximum 2024-25 benefits: $7,787/year per child under 6, $6,570/year per child 6-17. The benefit phases out as adjusted family net income (AFNI) rises, beginning around $36,502 with steeper reductions above $79,087.
A family with two children (one age 4, one age 8) earning $60,000 would receive roughly $11,000/year in CCB. The same family at $200,000 would receive about $1,800/year. The benefit is calculated annually on the prior year's tax return and paid monthly from July to June. Both parents must file taxes for the benefit to be calculated, even if one has zero income.
How AFNI and Phase-Out Work
Adjusted Family Net Income is the combined net income of both parents (or single parent), with some specific adjustments. The CCB phase-out for 2024-25 is 7% per dollar above $36,502 for one child, 13.5% for two children, 19% for three, 23% for four+. Above $79,087 the phase-out continues but at a slower rate (3.2-5.7%) until the benefit eventually hits zero.
RRSP contributions reduce AFNI directly, so a $10,000 RRSP contribution can both save income tax AND increase next year's CCB by $700-2,300 depending on family size. This makes RRSP contributions especially valuable for families in the steep phase-out zone.
Provincial Child Benefits Stack on Top
Most provinces have their own child benefit programs that pay on top of the federal CCB. Ontario Child Benefit, BC Family Benefit, Alberta Child and Family Benefit, Quebec Family Allowance - each adds $500-2,000/year for low-to-moderate income families. These are also calculated automatically from your tax return.
Quebec Family Allowance is unusually generous - higher base amounts, less aggressive phase-out, plus additional supplements for school supplies and single parents. A Quebec family with two kids at $50k income receives roughly $5,000-6,000 in provincial allowance plus the federal CCB. Use the [Canada Income Tax Calculator](/canada-income-tax-calculator) to model the full picture.
Disability and Other Supplements
Child Disability Benefit (CDB) adds up to $3,322/year per disabled child, on top of regular CCB. Eligibility requires the child to qualify for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) - a separate application requiring a doctor's certification of severe and prolonged impairment.
Shared custody situations split the benefit between both parents (each receives 50% of the calculated amount based on their own income, not combined). New Canadians can apply within 18 months of becoming a resident through Form RC66 plus the relevant Schedule. Families on social assistance often qualify for the maximum CCB regardless of zero earned income.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often is CCB paid?
Monthly, on the 20th of each month (or the closest business day). Direct deposit is the default; mailed cheques add several days. Annual recalculation happens in July based on the prior year's tax filings.
Do I have to apply?
If you registered the birth in Canada, the application is usually automatic via the birth registration. Otherwise, apply via Form RC66 or through your CRA My Account. Both parents must file taxes annually for ongoing eligibility.
Is CCB taxable?
No. CCB payments are completely tax-free. They do not need to be reported as income on your tax return. They also do not count as income for student loan, EI, or most other government benefit calculations.
What happens at age 18?
CCB ends the month the child turns 18. Other supports may begin: full transferable tuition tax credits (parent can claim up to $5,000), GST/HST credit eligibility for the young adult independently, possible eligibility for student aid programs.