Canada Child Benefit Calculator
The Canada Child Benefit Calculator shows you how much tax-free money you can expect from the CRA each month. It adds up your base federal payment, provincial top-ups, and disability credits so you know what's coming into your account. CCB amounts run on a July-to-June cycle and reset every summer based on what you reported on your last tax return.
👨👩👧 Estimate Your Monthly CCB Payment
This gives you a close estimate for planning. Your actual CRA deposit depends on the exact numbers on Line 23600 of your tax return, plus your official custody and residency records.
Enter your household details and click Calculate to see your estimated monthly CCB deposit.
Details Needed for an Accurate Estimate
Have these five things ready before you calculate.
Combined Household Income
Your net income from Line 23600 of your 2025 tax return (plus your spouse or partner's Line 23600).
Number & Ages of Children
The count of eligible children under age 6 versus those aged 6 through 17.
Custody Arrangements
Whether you hold full custody or share custody (roughly 50/50).
Disability Status
Whether any child qualifies for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC).
Province or Territory
Your current province of residence to account for local child benefit programs.
📌 The figure provided above is an estimate. Log into your CRA My Account to view your officially approved benefit amounts.
Check Your Eligibility for the Canada Child Benefit
To qualify for the CCB, you need to meet a few core conditions set by the CRA for each child under 18 in your care.
1. Basic Qualification Checklist
You are eligible to receive monthly payments if you meet all four of these criteria:
- Your child lives with you: They must be under 18 years old and reside in your home.
- You are the main caregiver: You handle their day-to-day upbringing, such as supervising daily routines, managing healthcare needs, and organizing child care.
- You are a Canadian tax resident: You live in Canada and file your taxes here.
- You hold an eligible legal status: Either you or your spouse/common-law partner must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, a protected person (refugee status approved by the IRB), a temporary resident who has lived in Canada for at least the past 18 consecutive months (holding a valid permit in the 19th month), or registered (or entitled to be registered) under the Indian Act.
Note on Foster Care: If you receive Children's Special Allowances (CSA) for a foster child, you cannot claim the CCB for that same child. However, parents caring for a child under recognized kinship or close-relationship programs are generally eligible.
2. Who Applies in a Two-Parent Household?
When both parents live in the same home with the child, CRA guidelines specify who submits the application:
- Standard CRA Rule: The CRA automatically presumes the female parent is the primary caregiver, so the mother is expected to apply.
- If the Other Parent Is the Main Caregiver: The non-female parent can apply instead, but must include a signed letter from the female parent confirming that the other parent handles primary daily care.
- Same-Sex Parents: Either parent can apply, but only one application should be submitted for all children in the household.
3. How Custody Splits Change Your Payment
If your child splits time between two households, your eligibility and payment amount depend on where the child spends most of their time:
| Time Spent With You | Custody Type | What Happens to Your Payment |
|---|---|---|
| 40% to 60% of the time | Shared Custody | Both parents apply. Each parent receives 50% of what they would get under full custody, calculated using their own individual household income. |
| More than 60% of the time | Full Custody | You receive 100% of the calculated CCB benefit. |
| Less than 40% of the time | No Custody (for CCB) | You are not eligible to claim the CCB for that child. |
| Temporary stays (e.g., Summer) | Temporary Custody | You can request CCB payments specifically for the months the child lives under your primary care. |
Maximum Benefit Amounts & Income Phase-Outs
CCB payment amounts are not taxable. Every July, the CRA recalculates your monthly deposit using your Adjusted Family Net Income (AFNI) from your previous year's tax return. Note: July 2026 to June 2027 payments are calculated using your 2025 AFNI.
Maximum Benefit Amounts
| Under 6 — Annual | $8,157 |
| Under 6 — Monthly | $679.75 |
| Ages 6–17 — Annual | $6,883 |
| Ages 6–17 — Monthly | $573.58 |
AFNI Between $38,237 and $82,847
| 1 Child | 7.0% |
| 2 Children | 13.5% |
| 3 Children | 19.0% |
| 4+ Children | 23.0% |
| Number of Children | Reduction When AFNI Exceeds $82,847 |
|---|---|
| 1 Child | $3,123, plus 3.2% of income over $82,847 |
| 2 Children | $6,022, plus 5.7% of income over $82,847 |
| 3 Children | $8,476, plus 8.0% of income over $82,847 |
| 4+ Children | $10,260, plus 9.5% of income over $82,847 |
What's Included in Your Calculated Monthly Deposit?
When you use our Canada child benefit calculator, your estimated monthly total accounts for three potential benefit components administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA):
Base Federal CCB
Child Disability Benefit (CDB) Top-Up
Provincial & Territorial Child Benefits
CCB Payment Dates & Schedule
Your estimated monthly amount is paid on the following CRA schedule.
| Payment Date | Tax Return Used for Calculation |
|---|---|
| January 20, 2026 | 2024 Tax Return |
| February 20, 2026 | 2024 Tax Return |
| March 20, 2026 | 2024 Tax Return |
| April 20, 2026 | 2024 Tax Return |
| May 20, 2026 | 2024 Tax Return |
| June 19, 2026 | 2024 Tax Return |
| July 20, 2026 (Recalculation Month) | 2025 Tax Return |
| August 20, 2026 | 2025 Tax Return |
| September 18, 2026 | 2025 Tax Return |
| October 20, 2026 | 2025 Tax Return |
| November 20, 2026 | 2025 Tax Return |
| December 11, 2026 (Early Payment) | 2025 Tax Return |
Important Payment Rules to Know
A few rules to keep in mind so your payments arrive on time and without interruption.
Every July, your amount changes
The CRA resets your monthly check every July using the income from your last tax return.
Small amounts come all at once
If your total benefit works out to less than $240 for the whole year (under $20 a month), the CRA won't send tiny monthly checks. Instead, they drop the entire amount into your account on July 20.
Give late payments 5 days
If your payment doesn't show up on payday, wait 5 business days before calling the CRA. Bank processing delays happen, and they will tell you to wait those 5 days anyway.
Keep filing every year
To keep receiving your CCB payments, both you and your spouse/partner must file your income taxes every year by April 30 (even with $0 income), and promptly update the CRA if your custody or marital status changes.
Child Benefit Questions — Canada 2026
Answers to what parents ask most about the Canada Child Benefit.
📬 Have a specific question about your CCB payment? We're here to help.
ℹ️ About This Calculator
This calculator is maintained by the CRACalculator team. Calculations follow CRA Canada Child Benefit rules for the July 2026 – June 2027 benefit year, based on Adjusted Family Net Income (AFNI) thresholds of $38,237 and $82,847. Reviewed and updated every benefit year. Estimates only — log into your CRA My Account to view your officially approved benefit amounts.
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