Ontario Child Benefit Calculator 2019

The Ontario Child Benefit (OCB) was a government program that provided financial assistance to families with children in Ontario, Canada. This calculator helps you determine your eligibility and estimated benefit amount for the 2019 tax year.

How the Ontario Child Benefit Works

The Ontario Child Benefit was designed to support families with children under 18 years old. The program provided financial assistance to help cover the costs of raising children, such as childcare, education, and other expenses.

In 2019, the Ontario Child Benefit was structured as a non-refundable tax credit, which means it reduced the amount of income tax you owed. The benefit was calculated based on your family's income and the number of eligible children in your household.

Key Features of the 2019 Ontario Child Benefit

Provided financial support to families with children under 18
Reduced income tax owed by the amount of the benefit
Eligibility based on family income and number of children
Maximum benefit amount varied based on family size

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for the Ontario Child Benefit in 2019, you needed to meet certain criteria:

Be a resident of Ontario
Have at least one child under 18 years old
Have a net family income that did not exceed the maximum income limit
Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or protected person

Income Limits for 2019

The maximum net family income for eligibility varied based on the number of children in your household:

1 child: $46,605
2 children: $51,745
3 children: $56,885
4 or more children: $62,025

How to Calculate Your Benefit

The Ontario Child Benefit was calculated using a formula that considered your family's income and the number of eligible children. The basic calculation was as follows:

Ontario Child Benefit Formula (2019)

Benefit Amount = (Maximum Benefit Amount - (Income Reduction Rate × (Net Family Income - Phase-In Threshold))) × Number of Eligible Children

Where:

Maximum Benefit Amount: $6,125 per child
Income Reduction Rate: 0.15
Phase-In Threshold: $4,000
Net Family Income: Your family's net income for the year

The benefit amount was then reduced by 15 cents for every dollar your net family income exceeded $4,000. The maximum benefit amount per child was $6,125.

Worked Examples

Let's look at two examples to illustrate how the Ontario Child Benefit was calculated in 2019.

Example 1: Single Parent with One Child

Family details:

Net family income: $30,000
Number of eligible children: 1

Calculation:

Income exceeds phase-in threshold: $30,000 - $4,000 = $26,000
Income reduction: $26,000 × 0.15 = $3,900
Benefit before child count: $6,125 - $3,900 = $2,225
Final benefit: $2,225 × 1 = $2,225

Example 2: Two Parents with Two Children

Family details:

Net family income: $50,000
Number of eligible children: 2

Calculation:

Income exceeds phase-in threshold: $50,000 - $4,000 = $46,000
Income reduction: $46,000 × 0.15 = $6,900
Benefit before child count: $6,125 - $6,900 = -$775 (benefit would be zero)
Final benefit: $0 × 2 = $0

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the maximum Ontario Child Benefit amount for 2019?: The maximum benefit amount per child was $6,125. Families with multiple children could receive up to $6,125 for each eligible child.
How was the Ontario Child Benefit calculated?: The benefit was calculated based on your family's net income and the number of eligible children. The formula reduced the maximum benefit by 15 cents for every dollar your income exceeded $4,000.
Who was eligible for the Ontario Child Benefit in 2019?: Eligible families needed to have at least one child under 18, be Ontario residents, and have a net family income that did not exceed the maximum income limit for their family size.
Was the Ontario Child Benefit a refundable or non-refundable credit?: The Ontario Child Benefit was a non-refundable tax credit, which meant it reduced the amount of income tax you owed rather than providing a direct payment.
When was the Ontario Child Benefit program introduced?: The Ontario Child Benefit was introduced in 2017 and continued through 2019 before being replaced by the Ontario Trillium Benefit in 2020.