Canada Child Benefit 2026: Up to $7,787/Child Under 6 ($648/Month) — Amounts & Dates
Updated
The Canada Child Benefit is the single largest tax-free payment most Canadian families receive — up to $7,787 per year for each child under 6 and $6,570 for children aged 6–17. A family with two young children earning $75,000 can expect roughly $860 per month in CCB payments, and the money is completely tax-free. The key to receiving your full entitlement is filing your tax return every year by April 30 — both parents must file, even if one has no income. CCB amounts are recalculated each July based on the previous year’s family net income.
Through Automated Benefits Application (birth registration)
New to Canada
Form RC66
Custody change
Update through My Account
Required Documents
Document
When Needed
Birth registration
New baby
Immigration docs
New residents
Custody agreement
Shared custody
Connection to Tax Returns
Annual Review
Action
Importance
File tax return
Both parents
By April 30
To continue CCB
Income determines
Next year’s CCB
July Recalculation
When
What Happens
July each year
CCB recalculated
Based on
Previous year income
New amount
Until next July
Provincial Child Benefits
Additional to CCB
Province
Additional Benefit
Ontario
Ontario Child Benefit
BC
BC Family Benefit
Alberta
Alberta Child Benefit
Quebec
Family Allowance
Example: Ontario
Ontario Child Benefit
Additional
Maximum
~$1,607/child
Combined with CCB
Significant support
Tax Implications
CCB is Tax-Free
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One of the smartest strategies for Canadian parents is investing CCB payments in an RESP for your child’s education. Since CCB is your child’s money (not yours), income earned from investing CCB is not subject to attribution rules — it’s taxed in the child’s hands, where the rate is typically zero. Contributing $2,500 per year to an RESP also triggers the 20% CESG grant, turning your $2,500 into $3,000 immediately. Over 18 years, this strategy can build a $100,000+ education fund entirely from government benefits.
The Bottom Line
File your tax return every year, on time, even if you owe nothing — CCB payments depend on it. Both parents must file. Families earning under $36,502 receive the full amount; benefits are gradually reduced above this threshold but continue well into six-figure family incomes. CCB is indexed to inflation annually and recalculated each July. If your income drops (job loss, parental leave), your next recalculation will increase your CCB. Use the extra cash to build an emergency fund, pay down debt, or invest in an RESP for maximum long-term benefit.