GST/HST Credit Payment Dates 2026–2026: 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. If you file your taxes, you may be receiving this benefit already — or you may be eligible without knowing it. This guide covers all the payment dates for 2026 and 2026, how much you can receive, who qualifies, and what you need to do to keep your payments coming.

What Is the GST/HST Credit?

The GST/HST credit is a federal benefit administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). It is designed to put money back in the hands of lower- and middle-income Canadians to help cover the cost of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) or Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) they pay on everyday purchases. 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 Payment Dates 2026–2026

The GST/HST credit is paid four times a year, typically on or around the 5th day of the payment month. If the scheduled date falls on a weekend or public holiday, the payment is issued on the last business day before that date.

Payment Schedule: July 2026 – June 2026 Benefit Year

This benefit year is based on your 2024 income tax return. Payments are issued on the following dates:

Payment Schedule: July 2026 – June 2027 Benefit Year

Starting July 2026, payments transition to a new benefit year calculated from your 2026 income tax return:

Important: If your total annual GST/HST credit is less than $50 per quarter, the CRA will not split it into four payments. Instead, you will receive the entire annual amount in one lump-sum payment each July.

Important Update: Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit

The Government of Canada has announced significant enhancements to this benefit starting mid-2026:

• Starting July 2026, the credit will be increased by 25% for five years under the new Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit
• A one-time top-up payment equal to 50% of the 2026–26 credit value will be issued to eligible recipients of the January 2026 payment, no later than June 2026

If you received the January 2026 GST/HST payment, watch for this additional one-time top-up before the end of June 2026.

How Much Can You Receive?

Your GST/HST credit is calculated based on 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 2026

These are the maximum amounts. Your actual payment depends on your family income. The credit begins to phase out when your adjusted family net income exceeds approximately $40,000. 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.

Who Is Eligible for the GST/HST Credit?

To qualify for the GST/HST credit, 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 you are a parent living with a 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 credit for each child in your care who meets all of the following:

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

Note: 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?

No — for most Canadians, there is no separate application needed. The CRA automatically determines your eligibility when it processes your annual income tax return. Simply file your taxes every year, and the CRA will calculate your entitlement and send you payments.

The only exception is new residents of Canada who have not yet filed a Canadian tax return. In this case, you must complete Form RC151 (GST/HST Credit and Canada Carbon Rebate Application for Individuals Who Become Residents of Canada) and send it to the CRA.

How to Make Sure You Get Your Payments

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

This is the most important step. 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 GST/HST credit. You can set it up through your CRA My Account online portal. If you receive a cheque by mail, allow extra days for postal 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 changes

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 and check your payment status before calling the CRA. The CRA recommends waiting 10 business days after the payment date before contacting them.

What Affects Your GST/HST Credit Amount?

Your credit may go up or down if:

• Your income changes from year to year (lower income = higher credit)
• Your marital status changes
• The number of eligible children in your care changes
• A reassessment of your tax return changes your adjusted family net income
• You enter or leave a shared custody arrangement

The CRA recalculates your credit every July based on the previous year's tax return. Payments from January and April use your previous return; payments from July and October use the most recent return.

GST/HST Credit vs. Other Benefits: What Stays the Same

Receiving the GST/HST credit does not affect or reduce other federal benefits, such as:

• Canada Child Benefit (CCB)
• Old Age Security (OAS)
• Employment Insurance (EI)
• Canada Pension Plan (CPP) payments

The credit is also non-taxable, meaning you never need to report it as income when you file your taxes.

Provincial and Territorial Benefits You May Also Receive

Depending on where you live in Canada, you may be eligible for additional benefits that are paid alongside your GST/HST credit by the CRA. These include:

• Ontario Trillium Benefit (Ontario)
• Alberta Child and Family Benefit (Alberta)
• BC Climate Action Tax Credit (British Columbia)
• And other provincial and territorial programs

The CRA automatically assesses your eligibility for these programs when you file your tax return.

Quick Summary: Key Facts About the GST/HST Credit

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I get my next GST/HST payment?

The next scheduled payment dates are July 3, 2026 and October 5, 2026. Check your CRA My Account for your specific expected payment date and amount.

Why didn't I receive a GST/HST payment this quarter?

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

Can I get the GST/HST credit if I have zero income?

Yes — you may still qualify even with no income, as long as you file your tax return, are a Canadian resident, and meet the age requirement. Filing with zero income is perfectly valid and required to receive the benefit.

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

Only one spouse or common-law partner can receive the GST/HST credit. The CRA typically pays it to whichever partner's tax return is assessed first. The combined family income of both partners is used to calculate the total credit amount.

What happens if I turn 19 during the year?

You won't receive the credit until the quarterly payment date that follows your 19th birthday, provided the CRA has confirmed your age through your filed tax return.

Is there a one-time extra payment coming in 2026?

Yes. The federal government announced a one-time top-up payment equal to 50% of your 2026–26 annual credit value, to be issued to recipients of the January 2026 payment no later than June 2026. Additionally, starting July 2026, the credit will increase by 25% annually under the new Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit.