Maximum amounts
The Canada Child Benefit (CCB) is a tax-free monthly payment for families with children under 18. The benefit year runs from July to June and is based on your adjusted family net income (AFNI) from the previous year. For July 2026 to June 2027, it is based on 2025 income.
| Child's age | Maximum per year | Maximum per month |
|---|---|---|
| Under 6 | $8,157 | $679.75 |
| 6 to 17 | $6,883 | $573.58 |
When the benefit is reduced
Families with an AFNI under $38,237 get the maximum. Above that, the benefit is reduced by a percentage of income, depending on how many children you have:
| Children | AFNI $38,237 to $82,847 | AFNI over $82,847 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7 % of income over $38,237 | $3,123 + 3.2 % of income over $82,847 |
| 2 | 13.5 % | $6,022 + 5.7 % |
| 3 | 19 % | $8,476 + 8 % |
| 4 or more | 23 % | $10,260 + 9.5 % |
Example
A family with two children under 6 and an AFNI of $60,000:
- Maximum: 2 x $8,157 = $16,314
- Reduction: 13.5 % of ($60,000 - $38,237) = $2,938.01
- Yearly benefit: $13,375.99, about $1,114.67 a month
The amount changes in July each year, and also when a child turns 6, since the rate for that child drops the month after the birthday.
How to apply
- At birth registration: in most provinces you can consent to share the newborn's details with the CRA when you register the birth, and the application is done at the same time. This option is not available in Nunavut.
- Online: in your CRA account, under Benefits and credits, add the child and send any documents asked for.
- By mail: form RC66, if neither option above works for you. Newcomers also complete schedule RC66SCH.
Both you and your spouse or common-law partner need to file a tax return every year, even with no income, because the CRA calculates the benefit from those returns.
The CCB in the monthly budget
The CCB is paid once a month, usually around the 20th, so it can be planned as a recurring income. Use your notice from the CRA rather than the maximum, and update it in July when the new benefit year starts, or when a child has a birthday that moves them to the lower rate.
Sources
- CRA: How we calculate your CCB (July 2026 to June 2027) (2026-10-11)
- CRA: How to apply for the Canada Child Benefit (2026-10-11)