With a little over a month left before the April 30 deadline for Airdrie residents and Canadians alike to file their taxes, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is reminding residents that even if one has no income, they must file their taxes, to continue getting their benefit payments.

"You may need to apply for certain benefits and credits, while others you can claim when you do your taxes," The CRA states on its website.

Benefits and credits include the Canada Child Benefit (CCB), the Disability Tax Credit (DTC), the GST/HST credit, the Canada Workers Benefit, as well as the Canada Carbon Rebate (CCR).

Canada Child Benefit (CCB)

According to the CRA, the CCB, is, 'administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). It is a tax-free monthly payment made to eligible families to help with the cost of raising children under 18 years of age.' You must meet all of the following conditions to be eligible for these benefits: 

  • You live with a child who is under 18 years of age
  • You are primarily responsible for the care and upbringing of the child
  • You are a resident of Canada for tax purposes
  • You or your spouse or common-law partner must be any of the following:
    • a Canadian citizen
    • a permanent resident
    • a protected persona temporary resident who has lived in Canada for the previous 18 months, and who has a valid permit in the 19th month other than one that states "does not confer status" or "does not confer temporary resident status"
    • an individual who is registered, or entitled to be registered under the Indian Act

"You cannot get the CCB for a foster child for any month in which Children's special allowances (CSA) are payable. You may get the CCB if you live with and care for a child under a kinship or close relationship program from the governments of Canada, a province, a territory or an Indigenous governing body, as long as CSA is not payable for that child," The CRA states.

Important reminders:

"Every July, your benefit payment is recalculated based on your adjusted family net income from the previous year. CCB is indexed to inflation."

For the current year, the CRA's website lists the following amounts for the payment period from July 2023 to June 2024, which are based on your Adjusted Family Net Income (AFNI) from 2022.

"If your AFNI is under $34,863, you get the maximum amount for each child. It will not be reduced."

For each child:

  • under 6 years of age: $7,437 per year ($619.75 per month)
  • 6 to 17 years of age: $6,275 per year ($522.91 per month)

Provincial benefits: Alberta Child and Family Benefit (ACFB)

"The Canada Revenue Agency administers the Alberta child and family benefit, which is a Canada child benefit (CCB) related program, on behalf of the Alberta provincial government," the CRA underlines.

The Alberta Child and Family Benefit (ACFB) is a tax-free amount paid to families with children under 18 years of age.

For July 2023 to June 2024, you may be entitled to receive the following amounts:

  • $1,410 ($117.50 per month) for the first child
  • $705 ($58.75 per month) for the second child
  • $705 ($58.75 per month) for the third child
  • $705 ($58.75 per month) for the fourth child

"The benefit is reduced as family income exceeds $25,935. You may receive a partial benefit if your adjusted family net income is between $25,935 and $43,460."

In addition, families with a working income of more than $2,760 may be entitled to receive the working income component of:

  • $722 ($60.16 per month) for the first child
  • $657 ($54.75 per month) for the second child
  • $393 ($32.75 per month) for the third child
  • $130 ($10.83 per month) for the fourth child

"ACFB payments are made separately from the CCB payments and issued in August, November, February and May. This program is fully funded by the Alberta provincial government."

According to the CRA, the benefit payment for the CCB is April 19, 2024, and then subsequently:

  • May 17
  • June 20
  • July 19
  • August 20
  • September 20
  • October 18
  • November 20
  • and lastly December 13, 2024.
  • The ACFB is paid in four installments, with the next installment on:
    • May 27
    • August 27
    • as well as November 27, 2024. 

Disability Tax Credit (DTC)

According to the CRA, the DTC is a non-refundable tax credit that helps people with disabilities, or their supporting family members, reduce the amount of income tax they may have to pay.

"If you have a severe and prolonged impairment, you may apply for the credit. If you are approved, you may claim the credit at tax time. By reducing the amount of income tax you may have to pay, the DTC aims to offset some of the extra costs related to the impairment."

In terms of claims for the 2023 tax year, the CRA said that approved applicants who are 18 years and older (on the last day of the year) may claim the base disability amount.

"Those who are 17 years and younger (on the last day of the year) may also claim the supplement for children with disabilities."

A graphic by the Canada Revenue Agency shows how much indivduals can claim via the Disability Tax Credit (DTC). (Graphic Credit to Canada Revenue Agency (CRA))A graphic by the Canada Revenue Agency shows how much individuals can claim via the Disability Tax Credit (DTC). (Graphic Credit to Canada Revenue Agency (CRA))

"To claim the credit for the current tax year, you must enter the disability amount on your tax return. Any unused amount may be transferred to a supporting family member. It is not refunded."

GST/HST credit

"The goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax (GST/HST) credit is a tax-free quarterly payment that helps individuals and families with low and modest incomes offset the GST or HST that they pay."

You are automatically considered for the GST/HST credit when you file your taxes. Payment dates for the GST/HST credit are:

  • April 5
  • July 5
  • and October 4, 2024.

Canada Workers Benefit (CWB)

The CRA says that the Canada Workers Benefit (CWB) is a refundable tax credit to help individuals and families who are working and earning a low income.

"The CWB has two parts: a basic amount and a disability supplement. You can claim the CWB when you file your income tax return."

However, in July 2023 and based on the 2022 taxation year, the CWB will provide advance payments equal to 50 per cent of the CWB across 3 payments under the Advanced Canada workers benefit (ACWB).

"This initiative puts more money in the workers' pockets to help cope with the rising cost of living. Anyone who received the CWB in 2022 will receive the advanced payments, there is no need to apply."

The Basic benefit maximum amount for the CWB is $1,428 for single individuals.

"The amount is gradually reduced if your adjusted net income is more than $23,495. No basic amount is paid if your adjusted net income is more than $33,015."

Families can receive $2,461. The amount is gradually reduced if your adjusted family net income is more than $26,805.

"No basic amount is paid if your adjusted family net income is more than $43,212. The maximum basic CWB amount will vary for residents of Quebec, Nunavut and Alberta."

The payment dates for 2024 for the CWB include July 12 and October 11, 2024.

Canada Carbon Rebate (CCR)

Formerly known as the Climate Action Incentive Payment (CAIP), if you filed your taxes electronically by March 15, you should receive your next CCR payment on April 15.

"If you filed after March 15, 2024, generally, you can expect to get your CCR payment 6-8 weeks after your tax return has been assessed."

The rebate, 'is a tax-free amount to help eligible individuals and families offset the cost of the federal pollution pricing. It consists of a basic amount and a supplement for residents of small and rural communities.'

The base amount for Alberta is:

  • $225 for an individual
  • $112.50 for a spouse or common-law partner
  • $56.25 per child under 19
  • $112.50 for the first child in a single-parent family

The rural supplement is:

  • $45 for an individual
  • $22.50 for a spouse or common-law partner
  • $11.25 per child under 19
  • $22.50 for the first child in a single-parent family

"The rural supplement is 20 per cent of the base amount. Note that this increase to 20% is pending Royal Assent."

There are two more payment dates for the CCR in 2024, excluding April; these include July 15 and October 15, 2024.

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