Child Tax Benefit

The Canada Child Tax Benefits (CCTB), provided by the Government of Canada, is a tax-free monthly payment made to eligible families to help them with the cost of raising children under the age of 18. This Federal Government program also includes the National Child Benefit Supplement, for low-income families with children, and the Child Disability Benefit, for qualified families caring for children with severe and prolonged mental of physical impairment. Because CCTB is based on your income and number of children in your family, benefits can range from about $1000 per year and up. You can get an estimate of your CCTB at www.cra-arc.gc.ca/bnfts/clcltr/menu-eng.html.

To obtain the CCTB, you must meet all the following conditions:

Be living with the child, and the child must be under the age of 18;
The person who is primarily responsible for the child's care and upbringing;
A resident of Canada;
Either a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident, a protected person (refugee), or a temporary resident (who has lived in Canada for the previous 18months, and who has a valid permit in the 19th month); and,
Have a family income that fits the program's criteria.

To apply for the CCTB, you must complete an income tax return reporting your family's income for the current tax year - which is the income you earned last year - and a Canada Child Tax Benefit Application (Form RC66, which is available at the www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca. If you or your spouse (or common-law partner) become new residents of Canada or returned as residents of Canada, you also need to complete the "Status in Canada" schedule. You need to attach legible photocopies of all required documents. Do not delay in applying because you can only receive retroactive payments for up to 11 months from the month your application is received.

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