As a parent, you may be able to get tax breaks and deductions that help pay for child care and other family costs. We've found a list of common federal credits and benefits for different situations in your child's life. We also have instructions on how to claim them when you file your taxes. 

Additional provincial and territorial credits may also be available to you based on your region. Visit the CRA’s Provincial and territorial tax and credits for individuals webpage for more information.

Adoption

Adoption expenses

You can claim eligible adoption expenses—including agency fees, document translation costs, and certain travel expenses—that were incurred during a set period leading up to your child’s adoption. These expenses can only be claimed in the tax year that includes the end of the adoption period.

Where do I enter adoption expenses?

Child care

Child care expenses

If you or your spouse or common-law partner paid someone to take care of your child under 16, you may be able to deduct those child care expenses to reduce your taxable income. The CRA usually requires that these be claimed by the spouse or partner with the lower net income.

Where do I enter child care expenses in TurboTax?

Medical and disability

Canada Caregiver Credit

The Canada Caregiver Credit (CCC) may be available to you if you support a spouse, common-law partner, or dependant with a physical or mental impairment.

How do I claim the Canada Caregiver Credit?

Child Disability Benefit

The Child Disability Benefit (CDB) is a tax-free monthly payment for families with a child under 18 who has a physical or mental impairment. If you already receive the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) for your child who's eligible for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC), you'll automatically receive the CDB and don't need to apply.

How do I claim the Disability Tax Credit?

How do I claim the Disability Tax Credit copied from my dependant?

Medical expenses

You may qualify to claim eligible medical expenses for your child—or your spouse or common-law partner's child—under 18. Keep any relevant documentation in case the CRA asks you to support your claim.

How do I enter my medical expenses?

How do I enter medical expenses for dependants over 18 years of age?

Single parents

Eligible dependant credit

The eligible dependant credit helps single adults who are financially responsible for a dependant. Only one parent can make the claim for a child, and there are rules based on who’s paying child support that determine which parent can claim the credit.

How do I add (or remove) the amount for an eligible dependant from my tax return?

Education

Tuition credits

If your child is enrolled at a qualifying post-secondary institution, they may be eligible for the tuition credit. Your child can choose to transfer this credit to you—rather than carrying it forward to a future year—if they don’t have enough taxable income to claim the full credit in the current year.

How do I transfer my unused tuition credits to someone else?

How do I enter tuition transferred from my spouse/partner or child?

General

Canada Child Benefit

The Canada Child Benefit (CCB) is a tax-free monthly payment for families with children under 18. You won't receive a slip for this income. If you're separated or divorced, the parent primarily responsible for your child's care is the one who may be eligible for the CCB.