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moneysense.ca, 5/07/07
Money Tip: Are You Eligible for the CCTB?
I made an earlier post about a friend who has a young daughter and a stay-at-home spouse who simply assumed that (a) his family is not eligible for the Canada Child Tax Benefit (CCTB) because he makes a fairly high income and (b) if he were eligible, he would get the checks automatically. Turns out, his case is far from unique. Recently, I was chatting with a co-worker who has two young kids and a stay-at-home spouse and found that he didn’t know he could be eligible for the CCTB either.
The CCTB is a tax-free monthly payment made to eligible families to help with the cost of raising children under 18 years of age. The benefit is based on the number of children in your household and your family’s net income (Line 236 of your T1 General). You should calculate net income by deducting your RRSP contributions, childcare expenses etc. from your total income. It is important to note that the net income threshold below which families are eligible for the CCTB is very high. For example, in 2006 if your family net income is less than $101,000 and you have two children and a stay-at-home spouse, your family will be eligible for the CCTB. You can estimate the CCTB benefits your family could be eligible for using this calculator, but be sure to enter your net income.
The CCTB benefits are not paid automatically even if your family is eligible and both you and your spouse file your tax returns every year. To receive the payments, you should apply to receive the benefit using Form RC66. If you find that you are eligible, do not delay in applying for the benefit because Canada Revenue Agency says that it will only make retroactive payments for up to 11 months from the month in which they receive your application.
moneysense.ca, 5/07/07
I’ve been selfishly and quietly reaping these educational posts from you and MillionDollarJourney on CCTB and related topics. Unfortunately, I don’t have anything to add, but thank you both for putting these together, as I’m oblivious when it comes to raising kids.
Small note, the “baby bonus” now repackaged as CCTB has no tax burden on the receiver. The UCCB ($100 childcare “bonus”) *IS* taxed on the lowest earning parent.
I don’t know why the government introduces these programs and then doesn’t advertise them.
I think it’s great that you are spreading the word since this is one of the few benefits that middle class families can gain from.
Mike
On a similar note, For children born in 1990 or later, one of the parents can submit an updated TD1 (2007 Personal Tax Credits Return) to their emplyer claiming $2000 per child (item 2). This just came into effect July 2007. Also review the form, there may be other credits (such as tuition etc) that you may use. Now this is not extra money, however you can have a little of it on each paycheck instead of waiting for your refund in 2008. I’m getting into the specifics here as this comment is getting long enough, however potentially a good subject for a blog post (and what to do with “extra” $).
Great post CC! Just a little note, I believe that childcare expenses must be claimed under the lower income spouse. So basically, they are only beneficial when both spouses are working. I guess it doesn’t really make sense to put your child in day care when one spouse stays home.
MDJ: You’re right. In fact, you aren’t even allowed to claim child care deduction unless both spouses are working or attending school.
Gregory: Good point. I didn’t bother with the TD1 because I’ll likely owe taxes this year but it might be useful to others.
Mike: It would be interesting to find out how many are eligible for the CCTB but don’t claim it. I was surprised that two people I personally know thought that they would get the grant automatically if they were eligible for it.
C anada Child Benefits – a brief history
1944 – Family Allowance Act; universal Family Allowance for all Canadian families with dependent children – known as the baby bonus
1973 – FA becomes taxable but indexed to inflation (beginning of the progressive income tax system)
1978 – FA reduced and introduction of the refundable Child Tax Credit
1986 – FA de-indexed
1989 – FA clawback introduced; end of universal child benefits
1993 – FA and Child Tax Credit replaced with Child Tax Benefit and WIS (Working Income Supplement for working poor)
1998 – WIS replaced with National Child Benefit
2003 – Addition of Child Disability Benefit
2006 – Addition of Universal Child Care Benefit
2007 – Addition of Children’s Fitness Tax Credit, $2000 Child Tax Credit
[...] to see if you are eligible for the CCTB. Don’t just assume that you won’t be eligible – you may be surprised to learn that only a small fraction of families won’t be eligible for thi…. The following note is from reader [...]
why am I not recieving CCTB for the past 10 years. My four children were under 18 years old now tow remain under 18. One is currently 18 and the next, 27yrs. I am desperate for an answer.
Desperate claudette
Claudette Bravo: Either you didn’t apply for it or are not eligible.
You can check how much you would get here:
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/bnfts/clcltr/menu-eng.html
You can get more info here:
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/bnfts/b-eng.html
[...] a ton of other examples: people not applying for child-care tax credits, not applying to your local city for rebates when you purchase energy saving products (City of [...]
I was wondering – is there a maximum amount of children you can have to be eligible for the benefit? I’ve heard from a couple people that you are cut off at 4 dependants. We have 3 now and are expecting multiples – does anyone have information on this?
Thanks
Darin: Congratulations! I’ve never heard of any cut off. In fact if you try out this calculator:
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/bnfts/clcltr/menu-eng.html
with different number of children, you’ll find that the benefits increase as the number of kids increase. In any case, I’d give CRA a quick call. They are very helpful and should be able to sort out your question.
sorry I know this is a very old post, but I hope you can help me with this: I was been told that if I open up an account to collect only CTB and UCCB, all interest made will be non-taxable. However, if I withdraw any money from this account for personal use, this account will then no longer eligible for ‘non-taxable’ for tax purpose. Is it true??? It really not making any sense for me.
Thank you CC
Jane, CC blogged about this here:
http://www.canadiancapitalist.com/2008/06/25/quick-tip-invest-cctb-or-ucb-payments-in-your-childs-name
It’s not that it is not taxable, just taxed in the child’s name, since they have no other income there would be essentially no tax.
As always, if you are unsure about a strategy it might be best to talk to a professional about it.
Thank you Traciatim for your reply. I read through the other posting, but I still don’t see answer to my question: am I allow to withdraw $ from the account or not. I will try to call CRA again hopefully they will give me a clear answer.
Thank you
I am on long term disability and I have two children. I am told that they will only go back 11 months. They say you can apply for them to go back further. does anyone know what they consider good reason? I suffer with depression, anxiety, and did not know how to go about this. Why would they deny anyone that is eligible. what is their reason?
[...] does not include the Canada Child Tax Benefit which is a monthly allowance for eligible taxpayers (but only if you sign up). Generally, the range [...]
[...] Money Tip: Are You Eligible for the CCTB? [...]
I was recently told that CCTB is only for resident canadian,but i have a friend who stay outside canada but she is filling income tax as Resident in Canada and she receives CCTB to her account, how far it is correct on her behalf to claim CCTB?