The Goods and Services Tax and Harmonized Sales Tax Credit is one of Canada’s key financial support programs for people with low and moderate incomes. As the cost of living keeps going up across the country this quarterly tax-free payment helps Canadians cover their everyday expenses. Knowing how the program works in 2025 and understanding who qualifies and how much you might receive and when payments arrive can help you plan your finances better. This guide explains everything about the 2025 GST/HST Credit including the updated income limits and expected payment amounts and who is eligible and the complete payment schedule and how to check your status and what you can do to avoid payment delays.
How the GST/HST Credit Works in 2025
GST/HST Credit: Understanding the Basics The GST/HST Credit helps offset federal and provincial sales taxes for lower-income Canadians. The government sends these payments four times a year as a tax-free benefit. This is not a deduction or refund. You don’t need to submit a separate application because the Canada Revenue Agency checks your tax return each year to see if you qualify and calculates your payment amount.
How Your Previous Year’s Income Determines Your Benefit
The CRA looks at your 2024 tax return to figure out what you should get between December 2025 and June 2026. Several factors influence your payment including your income level and family makeup. Your marital status matters & so does the number of children under 19 living with you. The program targets people with lower and moderate incomes. As your household income goes up the benefit amount goes down. When your family income passes a certain yearly limit the credit stops entirely.
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Filing Your Taxes
Is All You Need to Do Most Canadians don’t realize they don’t have to fill out any special forms for this program. The only thing you must do is file your tax return every year. Without a filed tax return the CRA has no way to check if you qualify or send you any money.
Updated GST/HST Credit Amounts for 2025
The federal government updates the GST/HST Credit every year to keep up with inflation & rising living costs. The official payment amounts for the 2025–2026 benefit year have not been announced yet.
Estimated Annual and Quarterly Payments for 2025–2026
| Recipient Category | Estimated Annual Credit | Approximate Quarterly Payment |
|---|---|---|
| Single Individual | $496 | $124 |
| Married or Common-Law Couple | $650 | $162.50 |
| Each Child Under 19 | $170 | $42.50 |
GST/HST Credit Payment Dates for 2025
How You Receive the Payment
Most Canadians get their benefits through direct deposit. When the money arrives the transaction shows up as Canada FPT which means Federal-Provincial-Territorial payment. If you still get cheques in the mail the delivery times can change based on how fast the postal service works in your area.
Retroactive or Reassessment Payments
If the CRA decides that you should have received more GST/HST Credit from past years or if your tax return was looked at again recently you might get an extra deposit that comes at a different time than the normal schedule.
Eligibility Requirements for the 2025 GST/HST Credit
To receive payments in 2025 you need to meet some basic requirements. Residency Requirements You need to be a Canadian resident for income tax purposes when the month starts and the CRA sends out a payment. Age and Family Eligibility You need to meet one of these conditions: You are 19 years old or older You have a spouse or common-law partner now or in the past You are a parent who lives with your child now or did in the past
How to Check Your Payment Status
The CRA provides several tools that let you check your benefit eligibility & see when your next payment is coming.
Using CRA My Account
CRA My Account is the simplest way to keep track of your GST/HST Credit. Once you log in you can see your previous payments and check when future deposits will arrive. You can also confirm that you qualify for the credit & make sure your banking information is correct.
CRA MyBenefits App
This mobile app lets you track when benefit payments are scheduled and view your account balance. It also sends you real-time updates about your GST/HST Credit.
CRA Automated Phone Line
You can call 1-800-959-1953 to access your benefit information through an automated system. This option works well for Canadians who would rather not use online services.
Keeping Your Contact Information Updated
Making sure your address and banking details are current in CRA My Account is important. A small mistake like an old bank account number or a recent address change can cause your payment to be delayed.
What to Do If Your GST/HST Credit Payment Is Delayed
Most payments show up when expected. Sometimes they run late for different reasons. Why Payments Get Delayed Your direct deposit details might be wrong or need updating. Tax returns you just sent in could still be getting processed. The CRA might be checking your account or holding it for review. Changes or updates to your tax information can also cause delays. Getting Help from the CRA Wait at least 10 business days past the payment date before you reach out to the CRA. If your money still hasn’t arrived after that you can ask them to trace the payment. They will check if the deposit went through or if a cheque got lost during delivery.
Will There Be a GST/HST Credit Top-Up in 2025?
The federal government has previously provided GST top-ups as a short-term solution to help with inflation. In 2023 the GST Credit was doubled for six months to help people manage increasing living costs. Currently there is no confirmation about a top-up for 2025. The decision may depend on economic conditions when Budget 2025 is released. If the government announces a top-up eligible Canadians will receive it automatically without needing to apply.
Key Details to Remember About the 2025 GST/HST Credit
Quarterly Payments Follow a Set Timeline The upcoming GST payment arrives on January 3, 2026. After that payments continue in December and January throughout the year. Expected Payment Amounts Each Quarter Individual recipients will receive around $124 every three months. Married or common-law couples can anticipate roughly $162.50 per quarter. Households with children get an extra $42.50 for every child younger than 19 years old. Tax-Free Benefit The GST/HST Credit does not qualify as taxable income. Recipients are not required to include these payments when filing their annual tax returns.
