Canada Child Benefit Calculator 2026

Estimate your monthly CCB payments based on family income and number of children. Calculate tax-free Canada Child Benefit for kids under 18.

FAQ

How is the Canada Child Benefit calculated?

The CCB starts with a maximum annual amount per child, with a higher amount for children under 6 and a lower amount for children aged 6 to 17. As your adjusted family net income exceeds the first reduction threshold, the benefit is reduced at a percentage that depends on how many children you have, and a second reduction rate applies to income above the second threshold. The benefit is completely tax-free and does not count as income, so it won't affect other benefits. In shared custody arrangements (where the child lives roughly equally with both parents), each parent receives 50% of the calculated amount.

Do I need to apply for the Canada Child Benefit?

You should apply for the CCB as soon as a child is born or begins living with you. If you registered the birth through your provincial vital statistics agency, you may have been automatically enrolled. Otherwise, you can apply online through My Account on the CRA website or by mailing Form RC66 (Canada Child Benefits Application). Even if you think your income is too high to receive payments, applying ensures you're registered if your circumstances change.

What happens to my CCB if my income changes mid-year?

CCB payments from July to June are based on your previous year's tax return, so a mid-year income change won't immediately affect your payments. The new income will be reflected starting the following July when the CRA recalculates your benefit. However, if there is a change in your marital status or custody arrangement, you should notify the CRA promptly, as these changes can affect your payments right away. Both parents must also file tax returns each year, even with zero income, to keep receiving payments.

Is the Canada Child Benefit affected by provincial benefits?

The federal CCB and provincial/territorial child benefit programs are separate. Many provinces deliver their own child benefit payments alongside the CCB through the same monthly deposit — for example the Ontario Child Benefit, the Alberta Child and Family Benefit, and the BC Family Benefit, while Quebec administers its own family allowance through Retraite Québec. These provincial amounts are calculated using their own income thresholds and benefit rates. The calculator above estimates the federal CCB only — check your province's benefit programs for additional amounts you may be eligible for.

How does this calculator work?

The calculator estimates your monthly CCB entitlement based on your adjusted family net income, the number of children in your household, and each child's age, using the CRA's higher base amounts for children under 6 than for children aged 6 to 17. It applies the current CRA reduction rates across both income thresholds — which depend on how many children you have — to determine your annual and monthly net benefit. Payments are recalculated every July based on the previous year's family net income. Provincial and territorial child benefits are not included in the estimate.