Explore any guide below and understand your CCB in one tap 👇
The Canada Child Benefit (CCB) is a tax-free monthly payment that supports eligible families in raising children under 18. But how much you receive can vary significantly depending on several factors, including income, number of children, and their ages.
In this article, we break down the Canada Child Benefit amount by age group, income levels, and show you how the benefit is calculated — with real examples and helpful tools.
Payment amounts by age
CCB payments are based on the age of each eligible child. The government divides them into two groups:
- Children under 6 years of age
- Children aged 6 to 17
💲 Children under 6 qualify for a higher annual amount due to increased early-childhood costs, while children between 6 and 17 receive a slightly lower amount. These are the maximum amounts, before any reductions based on family income.
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) updates these figures every year in July to account for inflation (see “Indexation” below).
Maximum annual amounts
For the benefit period from July 2025 to June 2026, the maximum Canada Child Benefit amount is:
- $7,997 per year for each child under 6
- $6,748 per year for each child aged 6 to 17
📢 These are the full amounts available to families with an adjusted family net income (AFNI) of $37,487 or less. If your income exceeds that, the benefit is gradually reduced (see next section).
👉 If you also qualify for the Child Disability Benefit, you may receive up to an additional $3,411 per child. More info: Child Disability Benefit.
Income thresholds and how clawback works
Once your AFNI goes over $37,487, your CCB payments are reduced (or “clawed back”) at a rate that depends on how many children you have.
For example:
- 1 child: Reduction starts at 7% of the income above $37,487
- 2 children: 13.5%
- 3 children: 19%
- 4 or more children: 23%
If your income exceeds $81,222, a second reduction applies:
- A fixed reduction amount plus a percentage of the income above $81,222
- Again, the rate varies depending on the number of children
⚠️ This means the higher your income, the more your benefit is reduced — but most families still receive some amount unless their income is very high.
Example calculations
Let’s look at how the Canada Child Benefit amount is calculated in real scenarios.
Example 1 — Low-income
Martha has 1 child under 6 and an AFNI of $35,000.
Because her income is below the $37,487 threshold, she receives the full $7,997 per year, or about $666 per month.
Example 2 — Middle-income
Fatima has 2 children under 6 and an AFNI of $60,000.
Income above $37,487 = $22,513
Reduction = 13.5% of $22,513 = $3,039
Maximum = $15,994 (for 2 children)
Total benefit = $12,955 per year, or around $1,080 per month
These examples show how income and number of children interact to determine your total benefit.
Access to online calculators
The CRA provides a simple online tool where you can estimate your Canada Child Benefit amount based on your income and family situation. You’ll need to enter:
- Number of children
- Ages of children
- Family income from the previous tax year
- Marital status
- Province or territory of residence
Use the calculator here:
👉 CRA Child and Family Benefits Calculator
🛑 Note: This is only an estimate. Your actual payments will be determined after you file your tax return.
Indexation and yearly adjustments
The Canada Child Benefit is indexed to inflation, meaning the amounts are reviewed and adjusted every July. These adjustments ensure the benefit keeps pace with the rising cost of living.
For example:
- Payments from July 2025 to June 2026 are based on your 2024 income
- Payments from July 2024 to June 2025 are based on your 2023 income
So, even if your income changes, it will only affect your benefit in the next payment cycle.
What affects increases or reductions
Several factors may cause your CCB payments to increase or decrease:
- Change in income: Increases or drops in AFNI
- Change in number of children
- Change in custody arrangements: Shared custody leads to a 50% split
- Child’s age change: Payments adjust when a child turns 6 or 18
- Filing status: Late or missing tax returns can pause or reduce your payments
💡 To avoid delays or errors, make sure you and your spouse (if applicable) file your tax returns on time and update the CRA about any major life changes.
Your Canada Child Benefit amount depends on more than just how many kids you have — your income, their ages, and even custody arrangements all play a role. Understanding how the calculation works helps you plan your finances better.
