Canada Child Benefit Calculator: how it works in 2026, with a worked example

Questions people ask

How much is the Canada Child Benefit in 2026?

For July 2026 to June 2027 the maximum is $8,157 a year ($679.75 a month) for each child under 6 and $6,883 a year ($573.58 a month) for each child aged 6 to 17. Families with adjusted net income of $38,237 or less get the maximum; above that it is reduced.

Which year's income does the CCB use?

Your adjusted family net income from last year's tax returns: your net income (line 23600) plus your spouse's or partner's, less any Universal Child Care Benefit or RDSP income. Payments from July 2026 to June 2027 are based on 2025 returns, and both spouses must file every year. A raise this year does not reduce the benefit until next July; a drop in income does not increase it until then either.

What is adjusted family net income?

Your net income (line 23600) plus your spouse's or common-law partner's, minus any Universal Child Care Benefit or RDSP income received, plus any UCCB or RDSP amounts repaid. RRSP and FHSA contributions reduce net income and therefore increase the CCB.

How does shared custody work?

When a child lives with each parent between 40% and 60% of the time, each parent gets 50% of the amount they would receive if the child lived with them full time, calculated on their own adjusted family net income. The calculator applies the 50% split to your income.

What is the child disability benefit?

An extra amount of up to $3,480 a year per child who is approved for the disability tax credit. It is paid with the CCB and reduced by 3.2% (one child) or 5.7% (two or more) of adjusted family net income over $82,847.

Is the CCB taxable, and do I have to apply every year?

No, it is tax-free and does not count as income for other benefits. You apply once (usually at birth registration) and it renews automatically as long as both parents file a tax return every year, even with no income. Missing a return stops the payments.

Are provincial child benefits included?

Partly. The BC Family Benefit is calculated in full and added to the monthly total. For Ontario, Alberta, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI, Newfoundland and Labrador, Yukon, the NWT and Nunavut the calculator shows the program and its maximum but does not compute your amount, because the CRA does not publish every phase-out rate. Manitoba and Saskatchewan have no CRA-paid child benefit, and Quebec's Family Allowance is paid by Retraite Québec, so those are not shown.

What happens when my child turns 6 or 18?

The month after a child turns 6 the higher under-6 rate ends and the 6-to-17 rate applies. Payments stop the month after the 18th birthday. The timeline shows your new monthly amount at each of those points, assuming the same income.

When is the CCB paid?

On the 20th of each month, or the last business day before if the 20th falls on a weekend or holiday; if the annual amount is under $240 it is paid once in July. The calculator lists every payment date for the benefit year.