Alberta Family & Children Tax Credits & Benefits (2025)
Alberta families benefit from a unique combination of provincial and federal child and family tax credits, cash benefits, and targeted supports. Understanding these programs—and how they can be stacked—can deliver thousands of dollars in tax savings and direct payments each year. This guide covers the Alberta Child and Family Benefit (ACFB), adoption expense credits, and strategies for maximizing your refund by layering ACFB with federal programs such as the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) and Child Disability Benefit.
- Alberta Child and Family Benefit (ACFB): A quarterly, income-tested payment for Alberta families with children under 18. Paid by the CRA.
- Adoption Expense Credits: Alberta offers a provincial tax credit for eligible adoption expenses, stackable with the federal adoption credit.
- Stacking with Federal Supports: Alberta families can receive both ACFB and Canada-wide benefits—including the CCB and Child Disability Benefit—if eligible.
- Who Qualifies? Eligibility is based on residency, number of children, income, and (for adoption credits) qualifying adoption expenses.
Alberta Child and Family Benefit (ACFB)
The Alberta Child and Family Benefit (ACFB) is the province’s main child benefit program, delivering quarterly payments to eligible low- and moderate-income families. The ACFB is administered by the CRA and paid automatically if you file your tax return and qualify.
- Eligibility: Must be an Alberta resident, have at least one dependent child under 18, and meet income thresholds. You (or your spouse/common-law partner) must file a tax return.
- How Much: Payment amount is based on family net income and number of children. For 2025, the maximum basic benefit per child is indexed annually. Families with lower incomes receive the largest payments.
- When Paid: Quarterly—typically in August, November, February, and May—directly to your bank account by the CRA.
- Application: No separate application; file your tax return (and ensure your children are registered with the CRA) to be assessed automatically.
Tip: If your family circumstances change (new child, marital status, address), update CRA records promptly to avoid delays or incorrect payment amounts.
Alberta Adoption Expense Credit
Alberta offers a provincial adoption expense tax credit for eligible expenses related to adopting a child under 18. This credit is in addition to the federal adoption tax credit.
- What’s Eligible: Fees paid to licensed adoption agencies, legal and administrative expenses, travel costs, and other necessary adoption-related costs.
- How to Claim: Enter eligible expenses on your Alberta tax form (AB428). There is a maximum allowable amount per adopted child (indexed annually).
- Stacking: You can claim both federal and Alberta adoption credits for the same adoption expenses, but cannot claim the same expense on more than one child.
Keep all receipts, as you may need to provide documentation if asked by the CRA.
Stacking Alberta & Federal Family Supports
Alberta families can receive both provincial and federal benefits for children if eligible. Most benefits are income-tested and paid automatically when you file your return.
- Canada Child Benefit (CCB): Major federal monthly payment for families with children under 18. Stacks with ACFB.
- Child Disability Benefit: Additional federal support for families caring for a child with a disability, if the child qualifies for the Disability Tax Credit.
- Other Federal Credits: Child care expense deduction, Canada Workers Benefit, and more—see Canada-Wide Individual Credits.
Frequently Asked Questions: Alberta Family Credits
Related Alberta Individual Topics & Resources
- Alberta Individual Tax Breaks Directory
- Alberta Climate Action Incentive
- Alberta Senior Credits
- Alberta Disability & Health Credits
- Canada-Wide Individual Tax Credits
- Childcare Expense Deductions
For Alberta business credits, see the Alberta Business Tax Breaks Directory.