Skip to main content
🌐
Prosperics

Canada Child Benefit (CCB) Calculator

Prosperics' Canadian Benefits Calculator is a free estimator for the GST/HST Credit, Canada Child Benefit, Canada Workers Benefit and provincial top-ups from your family net income and province, and it shows how RRSP and FHSA contributions raise your benefits by lowering the income used in each phase-out.

👶 Maximize CCB

The Canada Child Benefit is based on adjusted family net income. RRSP contributions lower your net income, potentially increasing your CCB. A $5,000 RRSP contribution could increase your annual CCB by $500-700 for a middle-income family.

1/3
Loading your saved data...

The GST/HST Credit is an automatic, quarterly payment from the CRA to help low- and moderate-income individuals offset sales taxes. You are automatically considered when you file your tax return. Payments are based on your adjusted family net income from the previous year.

Key Takeaways

  • ✓Payments issued quarterly (July, October, January, April)
  • ✓Maximum approximately $519/year for singles, $680 for couples
  • ✓Phase-out begins at roughly $44,000 adjusted family net income
  • ✓No application needed — assessed automatically from your tax return

The CCB is the primary federal child benefit, providing tax-free monthly payments to eligible families. The amount depends on the number and age of children and family net income. Two phase-out tiers reduce benefits as income rises, with higher reduction rates for families with more children.

Key Takeaways

  • ✓Up to $7,997/year per child under 6 and $6,748 per child aged 6-17 (in-app July 2025–June 2026 rates)
  • ✓First phase-out begins at $37,487 adjusted family net income
  • ✓Second phase-out begins at $81,222 adjusted family net income
  • ✓RRSP contributions can increase CCB by lowering family net income

The CWB rewards Canadians who work but earn low incomes. It phases in at 27% of working income above $3,000 and includes a disability supplement. The benefit phases out as net income rises, creating a range where the effective benefit is maximized.

Key Takeaways

  • ✓Maximum approximately $1,518 for singles, $2,616 for families
  • ✓Phases in at 27% of earned income above $3,000
  • ✓Disability supplement adds approximately $784
  • ✓Advance payments available (up to 50% in quarterly instalments)

RRSP contributions reduce your net income on line 23600 of your tax return. Since many government benefits phase out based on net income, this can create a "leverage effect" where each dollar contributed to an RRSP not only saves tax but also increases benefit payments. The combined return can exceed 50% for taxpayers near phase-out thresholds.

Key Takeaways

  • ✓Each $1,000 RRSP contribution may increase GST Credit, CCB, and CWB
  • ✓The effective return is highest near benefit phase-out thresholds
  • ✓FHSA contributions also reduce net income (same leverage effect)
  • ✓Plan contributions to stay just below key income thresholds for maximum benefit

Facts last reviewed:

The GST/HST Credit is a quarterly payment from the CRA to offset sales tax for low- and moderate-income individuals and families. For 2026, the maximum is about $519/year for singles and $680 for couples, plus $179 per child. It phases out as adjusted family net income rises above approximately $45,575.

The calculator uses up to $7,997/year per child under 6 and $6,748/year per child aged 6-17 (July 2025–June 2026 benefit year, in-app). Benefits phase out in two tiers as adjusted family net income rises above $37,487 and $81,222. Reduction rates depend on the number of children. Only the lower-income spouse needs to apply.

The CWB is a refundable tax credit for low-income workers. It phases in at 27% of earned income above $3,000, up to a maximum of about $1,518 for singles and $2,616 for families. It phases out as net income rises, and includes an additional disability supplement of approximately $784.

RRSP contributions reduce your net income on your tax return, which is the figure used to calculate benefit phase-outs. For example, a $5,000 RRSP contribution could increase your GST Credit, CCB, and CWB payments, effectively providing an additional return on top of the tax deduction itself.

As your income rises above certain thresholds, government benefits are gradually reduced (phased out). This creates an effective marginal tax rate that can exceed your nominal tax bracket. Understanding these thresholds helps you plan contributions and income to maximize the benefits you receive.

Yes. Most provinces offer their own tax credits and benefits that stack on top of federal programs. For example, Ontario has the Trillium Benefit, BC has the Climate Action Tax Credit, and Quebec has its own family and solidarity credits. This calculator includes the major provincial benefits for your selected province.

Facts last reviewed:

What you can do with these results

Save this calculation
Compare scenarios side-by-side

Plus a 3-day Pro preview — no credit card required

Related calculators

Income CalculatorBudget CalculatorRetirement Calculator