Does the Child Benefit 'year' run the same as a tax 'year', ie, from January to December with regard to making calculations?

I'll explain, if you can be bothered to read - it's pretty boring!

Arrived in Canada 30th May 2007.

Did not apply for any child Benefit as I understood you had to wait till your first tax return had been processed (Not sure now if this is true because other new arrivals applied from the outset).

First tax return (for the tax year 2007) completed March 2008 and finally processed by Sept 2008. Following me so far?

Applied for Child Tax Benefit in September 08.

The 2008 calculations made based on earnings in 2007 (documented in said tax return) and I was awarded a monthly sum.

When I completed the application form, it asked whether I was applying for a time period more than 11 months ago. I was. I was applying retrospectively to see if I qualified for any Benefit between 1st June 07 and Dec 07.

CCTB office then wrote to me asking what our 2006 earnings were. I replied with an educated guess. This is what any 2007 award would be based on, right?

They have now written to me again this week asking what our 2005 earnings were. Huh? Surely we are going too far back in time, and also, I have no clue anyway and would have to make an even less educated guess. But sorry, what has 2005 got to do with any 2007 Benefit?

Unless the calculations are based on split years? Anyone?

No I think it runs from summer to summer, July is usually the month they review CCTB, GST and other benefit payments, or it could be June. Is that what you were asking?

Yep - thanks!

So - in that case, I need to provide 2005 figures so they can work out July 06 to June 07. And I only potentially want to claim for one month of June 07. Cor, how to make things difficult - wish I'd never bothered

OK - thanks - another letter with made-up figures coming right up.

I don`t recall us doing all this paperwork. I wasn`t even aware what CCTB was when we arrived, then we filed our first returns, a few months later in the summer we got a letter and cheque detailing our CCTB benefit payment. Every July we get a letter to show how much CCTB we are entitled to, sometimes it goes up, sometimes it goes down, depending on your earnings.

Mind you it`s probably all changed, it seems ages since we got our first payment. Hopefully someone else can chip in, I would feel bad if I got something wrong! Mrs Kosh deals with all this stuff.

We had the same issues. We kept supplying them, and supplying them, and proving documentary evidence and, it did all get worked out, but the whole process was painful

I have two kids now 16 and virtually 11. We've never claimed Child benefit. I didn't even know it was handed out in Ontario. What is the total family income before you no longer qualify? I came here in 1987 and both kids were born here.

Here is a link to the relevant department - there is a calculator on there to play with !

Thanks D - I live in hope

We were given a child benefit pack by Canada customs when we landed and one from Québec.

Filled out both packs and started receiving money. They asked for the two previous years' income I believe.

We receive about $235 a month federal and I don't recall how much from Québec.

I learnt that the govt gives 100 dollars for each child below the age of 6 , is this the same as the tax child benefit?

No - that is an additional sum

I will be in Canada finally next week with my family OH, 5,2 and 3 months old kids . Cant wait.

CCTB online calculation results
--------------------------------
Basic monthly amount $0.00
National Child Benefit Supplement monthly amount $0.00
Ontario Child Benefit Monthly Amount $0.00
Total monthly amount $0.00
.............I guess this explains why I never knew it existed.

Am confused - can I apply on a TWP??