New Baby Tax and Benefits Checklist (Canada 2026-27)

The short version

Apply for the Canada child benefit as soon as the baby is born. In most provinces you can do it on the birth registration form; otherwise use My Account or form RC66.
For July 2026 to June 2027 the CCB pays up to $8,157 a year for a child under 6, tax-free, reduced as family net income rises. Provincial child benefits are usually paid with it.
The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit adds up to $234 a year per child.
Open an RESP: the government adds 20% on the first $2,500 a year you contribute ($500), up to $7,200 per child, and families with income up to $58,523 can get the Canada Learning Bond of up to $2,000 with no contribution at all.
EI maternity and parental benefits are taxable. Tax is withheld, but often not enough when you also worked part of the year.

Having a Baby: Tax and Benefits Checklist

Babies come with a lot of paperwork, most of it from hospitals, and a little of it from CRA that's worth real money. The Canada child benefit alone can be over $8,000 a year, and the RESP grant is the closest thing to free money the federal government offers. None of it arrives unless someone applies, and the person with the newborn is not at peak form-filling capacity. Here's the list, in the order it matters.

The First Month

Register the birth with your province. Tick the boxes to apply for the Canada child benefit and the baby's social insurance number at the same time, where offered.
If you couldn't apply on the birth form, apply in My Account or with form RC66 (and RC66SCH if you're new to Canada or your marital status changed).
Make sure both parents have filed their latest returns. No returns, no benefit.
Update your marital status if the baby makes you common-law for tax; see common-law tax rules.
Apply for EI maternity or parental benefits through Service Canada if you're eligible.

Free

What will your family get?

Enter your family income, province and children's ages. The assistant estimates the Canada child benefit, provincial benefits and the Groceries and Essentials Benefit, and tells you what to apply for.

Ask a tax question

Benefits for a Child Under 6 (July 2026 to June 2027)

Benefit	Amount	Notes
Canada child benefit	Up to $8,157 a year	Full amount up to $38,237 of family net income, then reduced; see Canada child benefit
Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit	Up to $234 a year per child	Single parents also get the adult amount for the first child; see CGEB
Child disability benefit	Up to $3,480 a year	If the child qualifies for the disability tax credit
Provincial child benefits	Varies by province	Usually paid automatically with the CCB once you apply

Example: a family with $70,000 of net income and one baby gets about $5,930 of CCB for the year, roughly $495 a month. All of it is tax-free.

Credits and Deductions

Child care expenses: deductible when you go back to work or school, up to $8,000 a year for a child under 7, usually by the lower-income parent; see child care expenses.
Medical expenses: uncovered costs for the baby, and for fertility treatment, can qualify; see medical expenses.
Adoption expenses: eligible costs of adopting a child under 18 can be claimed as a credit, up to an indexed yearly maximum, in the year the adoption period ends.
Eligible dependant amount: a single parent can claim it for the child; see eligible dependant.

The RESP: Free Money, Mostly

Grant	How much
Canada Education Savings Grant	20% of the first $2,500 contributed each year: $500 a year, up to $7,200 per child
Additional grant for lower and middle incomes	An extra 20% on the first $500 a year if family income is up to $58,523, or 10% up to $117,045 (2026)
Canada Learning Bond (family income up to $58,523 with one to three children)	$500 in the first year and $100 a year after, up to age 15 and $2,000 in total, with no contribution required
Provincial grants	Some provinces add their own

The child needs a social insurance number before the RESP can be opened, which is why the box on the birth form is worth ticking. Unused grant room carries forward, but the grant tops out at $1,000 a year when you catch up, so starting early matters.

Parental Leave and Your Taxes

EI is taxable. Service Canada withholds tax, but if you worked part of the year at a higher income, you may owe in April; see why do I owe tax?
Employer top-ups are employment income on your T4.
Less RRSP room next year, because EI isn't earned income for RRSP purposes; see RRSP.
Self-employed? You can get EI special benefits only if you opted in at least 12 months before claiming; otherwise, plan the cash flow; see self-employed taxes.

Every Year After

Both parents file on time, even with no income, or the CCB stops in July.
Contribute $2,500 to the RESP to get the full $500 grant.
Keep child care and medical receipts.
Tell CRA about changes in custody, address or marital status.

Other life changes are on life events and taxes.

New Baby Tax Questions

How do I apply for the Canada child benefit for a newborn?

In most provinces you can apply on the birth registration form. Otherwise apply through CRA My Account or with form RC66.

How much is the Canada child benefit for a baby?

For July 2026 to June 2027, up to $8,157 a year for a child under 6, reduced once adjusted family net income passes $38,237.

Is maternity leave EI taxable?

Yes. EI maternity and parental benefits are taxable income. Tax is withheld, but you may still owe when you file, especially if you also worked during the year.

How much does the government add to an RESP?

The Canada Education Savings Grant adds 20% of the first $2,500 contributed each year, up to $500 a year and $7,200 per child. Lower-income families can also get the Canada Learning Bond of up to $2,000.

Can I claim the cost of a baby as a tax deduction?

Not directly. Child care when you return to work is deductible, uncovered medical costs can qualify for the medical expense credit, and the child brings benefits such as the Canada child benefit.

Sources: CRA, Canada child benefit; Employment and Social Development Canada, How much money can be added to RESPs. Checked October 2026. Benefit amounts are the July 2026 to June 2027 figures on our benefit pages; the CCB example uses the one-child formula and is rounded. RESP income thresholds are for 2026 and are indexed yearly. The adoption credit maximum is indexed and not given here; check the current figure.

Last reviewed October 5, 2026 against CRA and Government of Canada sources. How we check our facts.

Having a Baby: Tax & Benefits Checklist