Canada child benefit - How we calculate your CCB

1. Overview
2. Before you apply
3. How to apply
4. After you apply
5. How we calculate your CCB

Calculation information

Your Canada child benefit (CCB) payments are calculated for the period of July of one year to June of the next year using the following information:

• the number of children who live with you
• the ages of your children
• your adjusted family net income
• your child’s eligibility for the child disability benefit

We recalculate your payment every July based on your adjusted family net income from the previous year. Your net income is the amount from line 236 of your income tax and benefit return. Your family net income is your net income plus the net income of your spouse or common-law partner, if you have one.

We "adjust" your family net income so that we don't count any universal child care benefit (UCCB) and registered disability savings plan (RDSP) payments you receive. We do this to make sure that people with low and modest incomes get the most benefits they can. However, if you have to repay any UCCB and RDSP amounts, we will include them as part of your adjusted family net income.

Your marital status affects how we calculate your benefits. If your marital status changes, you need to tell us before the end of the month after the month your status changed. For example, if your marital status changed in August, tell us about the change by the end of September.

To estimate the amount of CCB you might be entitled to, as well as any benefit from CCB-related provincial or territorial programs and other benefits, use the child and family benefits calculator. Calculations are based on the information you enter in the calculator fields.

Basic benefit for July 2016 to June 2018

We calculate the Canada child benefit (CCB) as follows:

• $6,400 per year ($533.33 per month) for each eligible child under the age of six

• $5,400 per year ($450.00 per month) for each eligible child aged 6 to 17

We start to reduce the amount of CCB you get when your adjusted family net income (AFNI) is over $30,000. The reduction is calculated as follows:

• families with one eligible child: the reduction is 7% of the amount of AFNI between $30,000 and $65,000, plus 3.2% of the amount of AFNI over $65,000

• families with two eligible children: the reduction is 13.5% of the amount of AFNI between $30,000 and $65,000, plus 5.7% of the amount of AFNI over $65,000

• families with three eligible children: the reduction is 19% of the amount of AFNI between $30,000 and $65,000, plus 8% of the amount of AFNI over $65,000

• families with four or more eligible children: the reduction is 23% of the amount of AFNI between $30,000 and $65,000, plus 9.5% of the amount of AFNI over $65,000

Calculators and tools

• Child and family benefits calculator
• Calculation sheets
• Payment amounts

• After you apply

Date modified:

2016-06-28