The Canada Child Benefit (CCB) is a tax-free monthly payment to families raising children under 18. It is one of the most significant government payments available to Canadian families, with maximum annual payments reaching $7,787 per child under 6 in 2025. Here is everything you need to know about the CCB.
To receive the CCB, you must meet all of the following criteria:
Both parents must file their taxes each year for the CCB to be calculated and paid. Failure to file by either parent stops payments.
The CCB is income-tested, meaning the amount you receive decreases as your family net income rises. For the July 2025 to June 2026 benefit year, the calculation is based on your 2024 net family income (both spouses combined).
At zero income, you receive the maximum amount. As income rises, the payment is reduced by a percentage. For a family with two children (one under 6, one aged 6 to 17), the reduction starts when family net income exceeds $36,502. The CCB phases out completely at higher income levels depending on the number of children.
If your child qualifies for the Disability Tax Credit, you also receive the Child Disability Benefit (CDB) in addition to regular CCB payments. The CDB adds up to $3,322 per year (2025) for each eligible child. This makes it very worthwhile to apply for the DTC for children with qualifying disabilities.
Most parents apply for the CCB when registering the birth of their child. The Birth Registration form in most provinces includes an option to apply for the CCB at the same time. If you did not apply at birth, you can apply at any time through CRA My Account or by completing Form RC66 (Canada Child Benefits Application).
Once approved, benefits are paid monthly. It is important that both parents register the child and file taxes annually for benefits to continue without interruption.
The CRA pays the CCB on the 20th of each month (or the business day before if the 20th falls on a weekend or holiday). The benefit year runs from July to June. For example, payments from July 2025 to June 2026 are based on your 2024 tax return. This means your payments are recalculated each July based on the prior year's income.
Typical 2025 payment dates include January 20, February 20, March 20, April 17 (since April 20 is a Sunday), May 20, and continuing through the year.
When parents share custody of a child equally (roughly 50-50), each parent receives 50% of the CCB that would otherwise be paid. Both parents must register separately and file their taxes. The CRA calculates each parent's share based on their individual net income.
For CCB purposes, net family income is your net income plus your spouse's or partner's net income as reported on your tax returns. This is line 23600 on each return. Lower net family income means higher CCB payments. Strategies to reduce net family income include RRSP contributions, contributing to a spousal RRSP, deducting child care expenses, and deducting moving expenses if applicable.
If you file your taxes late, your CCB calculation is delayed. The CRA may suspend your payments until your return is processed. This can create a cash flow gap for families relying on the CCB. Always file on time, even if you cannot pay taxes owing right away.
In addition to the federal CCB, most provinces offer their own child benefit programs paid alongside the CCB through the same CRA payment. Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, and other provinces top up federal CCB with provincial amounts. These are calculated automatically when you file your return.
If you recently became a Canadian resident, you can apply for the CCB from the month you became a resident. Apply through CRA My Account or by mailing Form RC66. You may need to provide documentation of residency status and proof of the child's birth. Benefits are not retroactive before the date of your application.
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