GST/HST Credit (CGEB) Payment Dates 2026–2027: Full Schedule, Amounts & Eligibility

The GST/HST credit is a tax-free quarterly payment from the Government of Canada that helps individuals and families with low to modest incomes offset the sales taxes they pay every day. Since July 2026 it is called the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB), with the same eligibility rules and a higher amount. This guide covers the 2026 payment dates, what to expect in 2027, how much you can receive, who qualifies, and what you need to do to keep your payments coming. Last updated: October 2026.

What Is the GST/HST Credit (Now the CGEB)?

The credit is a federal benefit administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). It helps cover the Goods and Services Tax (GST) or Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) you pay on everyday purchases. According to the CRA, the CGEB is the GST/HST credit under a new name, with the same eligibility, calculation and structure. The credit is:

• Tax-free — you do not report it as income
• Paid quarterly — four times per year
• Automatic — no separate application is needed if you file your taxes
• Income-tested — the lower your income, the higher your credit

GST/HST Credit (CGEB) Payment Dates 2026–2027

The credit is paid four times a year, in January, April, July and October. If the scheduled date falls on a weekend or public holiday, the payment is issued on the last business day before it.

Payment Dates in 2026

Next Payments: 2027

The CRA has not yet published the exact 2027 dates. Based on the usual schedule, expect the next payments in these months:

Important: if your total annual amount is very small (about $50 or less), the CRA does not split it into four payments. Instead, you receive the entire amount in one lump sum each July.

What Changed: The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit

The Government of Canada replaced the GST/HST credit with the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit starting in July 2026. The main points:

• The credit amount increased by about 25%, and the CRA says it will stay at that level from 2026 to 2031.
• Eligibility, payment months and how the benefit is calculated stay the same.
• The January and April 2026 payments were still issued under the name GST/HST credit; the July and October 2026 payments are CGEB payments.
• A one-time top-up equal to 50% of the 2025–26 credit was announced for eligible recipients of the January 2026 payment, no later than June 2026. If you were eligible, check your CRA My Account to confirm you received it.

How Much Can You Receive?

Your credit is calculated from your adjusted family net income (AFNI), your marital status, and the number of eligible children under 19 in your care.

Maximum Annual Amounts — July 2026 to June 2027

These are maximum amounts. The credit begins to phase out once your adjusted family net income passes a threshold that is roughly in the $40,000 to $50,000 range, depending on your situation. Higher earners may receive a reduced amount or may not qualify at all.

Example: How Much a Family Could Receive

Use the CRA's child and family benefits calculator at Canada.ca to get an estimate based on your exact situation. Your family net income also affects your Canada Child Benefit.

Who Is Eligible?

To qualify, you must meet all of the following conditions:

Basic Eligibility Requirements

• You must be a resident of Canada for tax purposes during the month before and at the beginning of the payment month
• You must be 19 years of age or older before the payment month — or, if you are under 19, you must have (or have had) a spouse or common-law partner, or be a parent living with your child
• You must have filed your income tax return for the applicable base year, even if you had no income

You Are NOT Eligible If:

• You have been incarcerated for 90 or more days in a federal, provincial, or territorial correctional facility
• You do not pay taxes in Canada because you are (or are related to) an officer or servant of another country, such as a diplomat

Children Who Can Be Included

You can receive an additional amount for each child in your care who:

• Is under 19 years old
• Lives with you
• Is dependent on you or your spouse or common-law partner
• Has never been married or lived with their own children

If you have a spouse or common-law partner, only one of you will receive the credit — typically the one whose tax return is assessed first. The amount reflects your combined family income.

Do You Need to Apply?

For most Canadians, no. The CRA determines your eligibility automatically when it processes your annual income tax return. The main exception is new residents of Canada who have not yet filed a Canadian tax return; they must complete the CRA application for individuals who become residents of Canada (Form RC151) and send it to the CRA.

How to Make Sure You Get Your Payments

1. File Your Taxes Every Year — Even With No Income

The CRA uses your tax return to calculate your credit. If you do not file, payments will stop. Filing late is still better than not filing at all — you may receive retroactive payments once your return is assessed.

2. Set Up Direct Deposit

Direct deposit is the fastest and most reliable way to receive your payments. You can set it up through your CRA My Account, through your financial institution, or by mail. If you receive a cheque, allow extra days for delivery.

3. Keep Your Personal Information Up to Date

Notify the CRA promptly if any of the following change:

• Your marital status (marriage, separation, divorce)
• A child in your care turns 19
• A child enters or leaves your care
• You enter or exit a shared custody arrangement
• Your address or banking information

4. Check Your CRA My Account

If your payment does not arrive on the expected date, log in to your CRA My Account to verify your information. The CRA recommends waiting 10 working days after the payment date before contacting them.

What Affects Your Amount?

Your payment may go up or down if your income changes from year to year (lower income means a higher credit), your marital status changes, the number of eligible children changes, a reassessment changes your adjusted family net income, or you enter or leave a shared custody arrangement. The CRA recalculates your amount every July using your previous year's tax return.

What Stays the Same: Other Benefits

Receiving this credit does not affect or reduce other federal benefits, such as the Canada Child Benefit (CCB), Old Age Security (OAS), Employment Insurance (EI) or Canada Pension Plan (CPP) payments. It is also non-taxable, so you never report it as income.

Provincial and Territorial Benefits You May Also Receive

Depending on where you live, you may receive additional benefits assessed by the CRA when you file your return, such as the Ontario Trillium Benefit in Ontario, the Alberta Child and Family Benefit in Alberta, or other provincial and territorial programs.

Quick Summary: Key Facts

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I get my next payment?

The most recent payment was issued on October 5, 2026. The next one is expected in January 2027; the CRA has not published the exact date yet. Check your CRA My Account for your personal payment date and amount.

Why didn't I receive a payment this quarter?

The most common reasons are that you did not file your tax return, your income exceeded the eligibility threshold, or your information with the CRA is outdated. Log in to CRA My Account to check your status.

Is the GST/HST credit the same as the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit?

Yes. The CGEB is the GST/HST credit under a new name since July 2026, with a higher amount. Eligibility and the way it is calculated stay the same.

Can I get the credit if I have zero income?

Yes. You may still qualify with no income, as long as you file your tax return, are a Canadian resident, and meet the age requirement.

My spouse and I both want the credit — who gets it?

Only one spouse or common-law partner can receive it. The CRA typically pays whichever partner's return is assessed first, using the combined family income of both partners.

What happens if I turn 19 during the year?

You will receive the benefit starting with the first payment date after your 19th birthday, provided you have filed your tax return.