What is the RC66SCH form?

When you file your income tax you may use form RC66SCH to state your status in Canada if you are a new Canadian citizen, became a resident in the last 2 years, or a permanent resident, and you want to apply for the Canada Child Benefit (CCB).  While citizens are automatically considered for this benefit when they submit their taxes and proof of birth for the child, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) needs more information about those who are not citizens in order to assess if they are an eligible family.

What is the Canada Child Benefit?

If you are successful in applying for this benefit, you’ll receive a tax-free monthly payment to assist you in the costs of raising your child(ren); the amount of the payment will depend on how much money you and your spouse make (adjusted family net income), which is why form RC66SCH also asks for your income information.

Who Can Apply for the Canada Child Benefit?

Even those who are not citizens of Canada may apply for the Canada Child Benefit, such as permanent residents and newcomers. This social program is meant for parents of children who are 18 years old or younger, so you must also have at least one qualifying child in order to qualify.

Who Needs to Use the RC66SCH form?

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has designed form RC66SCH for those who are not Canadian citizens but who wish to apply for the Canada Child Benefit. For example, those who have just become a resident of Canada in the last two years or those who became a citizen of Canada in the last 12 months can use this form. If your spouse or common-law partner fits these criteria you should also use this form.

Additionally, other people who are not citizens of Canada may use form RC66SCH. Use the form if you or your spouse:

  • Are a permanent resident
  • Are a protected person (refugee)
  • Are a temporary resident in Canada for the last 18 months
  • Are an Indian as defined by the Indian Act

You may need to consult the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to determine your status in Canada.

How to Fill Out the RC66SCH form

You will need date information in order to fill out form RC66SCH. You need to include the date where you or your spouse or common-law partner either:

  • Became a resident of Canada
  • Became a non-resident of Canada
  • Became a resident of Canada again
  • Entered the Canadian province or territory where you resided before you left Canada

You will also need to declare both your citizenship status and immigration status in this form. If you have become a citizen in the last 12 months you will need to declare your start date. If you are an Indian according to the Indian Act, you will need to declare the date you registered with Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada. If you have an immigration status instead you will need to list the start and end date for the time period of which you are applying for benefits.

Lastly, in order to apply for the Canada Child Benefit, you need to fill out your income information on this form. You will need to fill out you and your spouse or common-law partner’s income in dollars for three different years, including:

  • The year you become a resident of Canada
  • One year before you became a resident of Canada
  • Two years before you became a resident of Canada

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) will use this information to determine if you an eligible family for the Canada Child Benefit and how much your monthly payments will be. You can expect payments to begin the July after you file your taxes and continue until the following June.

How Does My Income Effect My Canada Child Benefit?

The basic amount of Child Canada Benefit depends on the age of your child or children. After you begin to make more than $31,120, the government reduces that benefit amount. Here’s how it all works.

The base amount of Canada Child Benefit is:

  • $553.25 per month for every child under the age of six
  • $466.83 per month for every child between the ages of 6 to 17

Your Canada Child Benefit is then reduced depending on your adjusted family net income and how many children you have. For example, if you have one child then 7% of your adjusted family net income that is over $31,120 and under $67,427 will be subtracted from your benefit amount.

Calculating your Canada Child Benefit can be complicated, but you can use the government’s calculator here to get a better idea of what you’ll receive before you fill out form RC66SCH.