Personal Tax Tip – Tax Benefits and Deductions for Parents (Updated: 2026)

Major update needed: several credits described below have been repealed (Family Tax Cut, Children’s Fitness Tax Credit, Children’s Arts Tax Credit). This draft summarizes what remains current and what to remove or label as historical.

Raising a family is expensive. Familiarize yourself with benefits and deductions so you claim what you and your family are eligible for.

Canada Child Benefit (CCB)

The Canada Child Benefit is a tax-free amount paid monthly to eligible families with children under 18. Eligibility depends on residency, citizenship/immigration status, and who is primarily responsible for the care and upbringing of the child. You and your spouse or common-law partner must file tax returns each year to continue receiving the CCB, even if you have no income to report. For current amounts and conditions, see Canada.ca – Canada Child Benefit.

Child Care Expenses

You may be able to deduct child care expenses if they were incurred to enable you or a supporting person to earn employment or business income, or to attend school. Limits and eligibility (e.g. age of child, supporting person, type of program) are set by the CRA each year. Complete Form T778 and file it with your return. Consult one of our CPAs for how the rules apply to you.

Repealed or changed credits (for reference only)

The following are no longer in effect: the Family Tax Cut credit (2015 only); the Children’s Arts Tax Credit; the Children’s Fitness Tax Credit (federal). The BC Child Fitness Equipment Tax Credit applied to the BC portion of the former fitness credit. Adoption Expense Tax Credit remains; the maximum and eligibility are updated annually—see CRA – Adoption expenses.

For current tax benefits for families, consult our team or the CRA website.