How long after my child is born can I apply for Child Tax Benefit?

Question

My son is 13 months old but when he was born I was told I could not apply for the Canadian Child Tax Benefit (I called 1-800-O-CANADA and asked) since my previous income taxes had not been filed correctly as I was not provided with a form I needed.

Now though, I have been sent the forms and I have all the stuff off to H&R Block, do you think I will still be able to apply for (and hopefully receive) the Child Tax Benefit?

Answer 1

in the U.S. you can claim the child as long as they were born anytime in the year you are filing for.

Answer 2

Your income tax return IS NOT an application for the Child Tax Benefits.

Go to www.cra.gc.ca and get form RC66. This is the application for Child Tax Benefits, and it is processed separately from the income tax return. You should have applied directly after the birth of your child.

You could have been receiving the Universal Child Care Benefit (UCCB, same application) even without filing an income tax return, as this one is based onl yon having the child in your care.