Minister Lebouthillier highlights the arrival of the enhanced Canada Child Benefit USA - English Français
CHANDLER, QC, July 19, 2018 /CNW/ - Helping hard-working middle class families provide the best start in life for their children is a top priority for the Government of Canada. That's why two years ago, the government launched the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) to help families with the high cost of raising kids. The CCB – which is targeted to middle class families and those working hard to join it – has helped nearly 3.7 million families with a monthly, tax-free payment of over $23 billion in benefits since its launch.
Today, the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of National Revenue, met with families in Pabos Mills, Chandler, to highlight the enhancement of the CCB to keep up with the rising cost of living. This change comes two years ahead of schedule and will give parents even more money each month to help them provide for their children. For the 2018-19 benefit year, the CCB will now have a maximum annual benefit of $6,496 per child under age 6 and $5,481 per child age 6 through 17 years. On average, families benefitting from the CCB will receive about $6,800 per year, tax-free.
The Minister highlighted the improvements the government has made to ensure tax filing, and accessing benefits such as the CCB, is simpler than ever before. Filing taxes is the gateway to accessing the benefits and credits to which Canadians are entitled, such as the CCB.
Canadian families are diverse and their needs vary. Whether it is single parents taking care of their children, grandparents stepping in to fill the gap, or middle-income families struggling to pay for child-care, the CCB has proven to be a game changer, by giving more money to nine out of 10 Canadian families. Even more importantly, the CCB has helped lift more than half a million people—including 300,000 children—out of poverty.
Quotes
"On this second anniversary of the Canada Child Benefit, we are celebrating the real difference it is making in the lives of millions of Canadian families. Our Government's strengthening of the Canada Child Benefit will continue to help those who need it most. We will continue to make it easier for Canadians to access the benefits to which they are entitled."
– The Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of National Revenue
"Increasing the Canada Child Benefit will mean more money for Canadian families starting tomorrow. Our Government is committed to ensuring that this tax-free benefit continues to help the middle class and people who are working hard to join it."
– The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, Member of Parliament for Québec
Quick Facts
- Across Canada, CCB payments worth over $23 billion benefit nearly 3.7 million Canadian families, and have helped lift 300,000 children out of poverty.
- Thanks to the CCB, nine out of 10 Canadian families have more money to help pay for things like healthy food, sports programs, and after school activities.
- For the 2018-19 benefit year , the CCB will now have a maximum annual benefit of $6,496 per child under age 6 and $5,481 per child age 6 through 17 years.
- For example, a single parent earning $35,000 with two children, the accelerated indexation of the CCB will contribute nearly $600 towards the increasing costs of raising his or her children for the 2019-20 benefit year.
- In Quebec, CCB payments worth almost $5.4 billion support nearly 870,000 Canadian families.
- File my Return, the CRA's new service that lets eligible Canadians with low or fixed income file returns over the phone, has been used to file nearly 50,000 returns for the 2018 tax filing season.
- Since October 2016, the CRA issued over 560,000 letters to taxpayers who have not filed income tax and benefit returns and may be entitled to benefits and/or credits. As a result, the CRA issued over $19.4 million in tax refunds and $59.7 million in benefit payments. A similar campaign is scheduled for the fall of 2018.
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SOURCE Canada Revenue Agency
Jérémy Ghio, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of National Revenue, 613-995-2960; Media Relations, Canada Revenue Agency, 613-948-8366
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