When money’s tight and every dollar counts, the GST/HST Credit feels like a small lifeline arriving in your bank account four times a year. For 2025, the Canada Revenue Agency has confirmed maximum credit amounts of up to $496-$533 per individual annually, distributed across four quarterly payments.
If you’re wondering when your next payment arrives, how much you’ll receive, or whether you even qualify, you’re not alone. Thousands of Canadians are asking the same questions as they navigate rising costs for everything from groceries to gas.
What Exactly Is This Credit?
The GST/HST Credit is a tax-free quarterly payment that helps individuals and families with low and modest incomes offset the GST or HST that they pay. Think of it as the government giving you back some of the sales tax you’ve been paying on everyday essentials.
Because it’s a non-taxable payment, recipients can use it however they need, from groceries and transportation to utility bills and medication. There’s no restrictions on how you spend it – it’s yours to use for whatever your family needs most.
When Will Your Money Arrive?
Mark these dates on your calendar because your GST/HST Credit payments are coming on specific days throughout 2025:
| Payment Date | Payment Period | Based on Tax Year |
|---|---|---|
| July 5, 2025 | Q3 2025 | 2024 Tax Return |
| October 5, 2025 | Q4 2025 | 2024 Tax Return |
| January 5, 2026 | Q1 2026 | 2024 Tax Return |
| April 5, 2026 | Q2 2026 | 2024 Tax Return |
If the 5th falls on a weekend or federal holiday, your payment arrives on the last business day before. Most people with direct deposit see their money by mid-morning on payment day.
How Much Money Are We Talking About?
Your payment amount depends on your family situation and income from your 2024 tax return. Here’s what you could receive annually:
Maximum Annual Amounts for 2025-2026:
- Single person with no children: Up to $533
- Married or common-law couple: Up to $698
- Additional amount per child under 19: Up to $184
- Additional for first child (single parents): Up to $87.25
Since these are quarterly payments, you’ll receive roughly one-quarter of your annual amount each time. This breaks down to approximately $133 per quarter for singles, $175 for couples, and $46 per child.
Let’s look at some real-world examples:
- A single parent with one child could receive up to $717 annually ($179 per quarter)
- A couple with two children might get up to $1,066 annually ($266 per quarter)
- A single person earning under $27,000 could receive the full $533 annually
Do You Qualify?
The good news? The CRA automatically determines your eligibility when you file your income tax return, so there’s no separate application needed.
Basic Requirements:
- Be a Canadian resident for tax purposes
- Be at least 19 years old (or married/common-law, or a parent)
- Have filed your 2024 tax return
- Meet the income requirements
Income Limits: The credit phases out completely for individuals earning above approximately $52,000 annually. For families, the threshold is higher depending on your family size. A married couple with four children cannot exceed an annual net income of $69,015.
If your income is above the base amount but below the cutoff, you’ll receive a partial credit – the CRA calculates this automatically.
Getting Your Payments Faster
Want your money as quickly as possible? Set up direct deposit with the CRA. Your payment appears in your account as “GST/HST tax credit” or “Canada FPT” (Federal-Provincial-Territorial).
If you’re still receiving paper cheques, expect to wait up to 10 business days after the payment date for it to arrive in your mailbox.
What If Your Situation Changes?
Life happens, and when it does, your payment amount might change too. The CRA automatically adjusts your payments when major life events occur – as long as they know about them.
Notify the CRA immediately if:
- You get married or divorced
- You have a baby or adopt a child
- A child turns 19
- Your custody arrangements change
- You move to a different province
The CRA will send you a notice showing your revised annual credit amount when changes affect your payments.
Special Situations
New to Canada? Newcomers including international students, work permit holders, and refugees are eligible, but must apply manually in their first year using Form RC151.
Your Child Turns 19? Your credit is automatically recalculated to exclude a child who turned 19 during the year, effective in the quarterly payment following their birthday.
Small Payments: If your annual credit works out to less than $50 per quarter, the CRA pays you the entire amount in one lump sum in July.
Provincial Top-ups
Many provinces add their own credits to your federal GST/HST payment, so your actual amount might be higher than the federal figures above. These provincial amounts are included in your quarterly payment automatically.
What If Your Payment Doesn’t Arrive?
Give it the full 10 business days if you’re receiving a cheque. For direct deposit, if the money isn’t there by the end of the payment day, check your CRA My Account online to see if the payment was issued.
If you don’t receive your payment on the scheduled day, wait 10 working days before calling 1-800-387-1193.
Making the Most of Your Credit
This quarterly boost can help with:
- Monthly grocery bills
- Utility payments
- Transportation costs
- Back-to-school expenses
- Emergency savings fund
- Paying down debt
Many Canadians use these payments to cover essential expenses during economic uncertainty. Even though the amounts might seem modest, they add up to meaningful support over the year.
The GST/HST Credit provides essential financial relief for millions of Canadian families. With up to $533 annually for individuals and significantly more for families, it offers meaningful quarterly support.
Make sure you file your 2024 tax return by the deadline to secure your payments, keep your information updated with the CRA, and set up direct deposit for the fastest access to your money. In today’s economic climate, every bit of financial support helps families manage their essential expenses.
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