The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has officially released the 2026 GST/HST credit payment schedule, giving Canadians a clear timeline of when to expect their quarterly tax-free payments next year.
The Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax (GST/HST) credit is one of Canada’s most important financial relief programs, helping millions of low- and moderate-income individuals and families offset the cost of sales taxes on everyday goods and services.
With inflation still affecting essentials such as groceries, utilities, and rent, these quarterly payments remain vital for many households. The CRA’s 2026 schedule confirms when payments will arrive and what eligibility rules apply.
$698 CRA One-Time Payment for Nov 2025: Who Qualifies and When You’ll Get It
CRA Payment Dates for November 2025 — Full List of Benefits, Amounts, and Eligibility Explained
What Is the GST/HST Credit?
The GST/HST credit is a tax-free quarterly payment designed to help lower-income Canadians recover some of the sales taxes they pay throughout the year.
It’s automatically paid to eligible individuals and families who file an income tax return, even if they have no income to report.
The program’s purpose is simple: to reduce the impact of Canada’s 5% federal GST and various provincial HST rates on essential purchases.
The CRA uses your family net income from your previous year’s tax return to calculate how much you’ll receive starting in July of the following year.
For example, your 2025 tax return, filed in spring 2026, determines your GST/HST credit payments for July 2026 to June 2027.
CRA GST/HST Payment Dates for 2026
According to the CRA, the official GST/HST credit payment dates for 2026 are as follows:
- January 10, 2026
- April 9, 2026
- July 10, 2026
- October 9, 2026
Payments are made quarterly, and recipients will receive their funds via direct deposit or mailed cheque, depending on their preference.
Canadians who are enrolled in direct deposit will typically receive their credit the same day the payment is issued, while mailed cheques may take a few additional days to arrive.
How Much Will You Get in 2026?
The amount you receive depends on your adjusted family net income, marital status, and number of children under 19 years old.
For the July 2025 to June 2026 benefit year, the base amounts are:
- $519 for a single individual
- $680 for a married or common-law couple
- $179 for each child under 19
These amounts are expected to be indexed for inflation for the 2026–2027 benefit year, which means they could rise slightly depending on the inflation rate published by Statistics Canada in early 2026.
Households that qualify for the federal climate action incentive or provincial top-ups (in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, or New Brunswick) may see their total GST/HST credit payment increase.
Who Is Eligible for the 2026 GST/HST Credit?
To be eligible for the GST/HST credit in 2026, you must meet the following criteria:
- Be a Canadian resident for income tax purposes in the month before and at the start of the month when the CRA makes a payment.
- Be at least 19 years old, or if under 19, you must:
- Have (or previously had) a spouse or common-law partner, or
- Be (or previously have been) a parent and live with your child.
- File a tax return every year, even if you earned no income.
You do not need to apply separately — the CRA automatically determines eligibility based on your annual tax return.
If you have a spouse or common-law partner, only one person per household will receive the payment, and it will include the amount for both partners and any eligible children.
How the CRA Calculates the GST/HST Credit
The CRA calculates your payment using your net family income from your previous tax year. The lower your income, the higher your benefit.
The credit begins to phase out as income rises above certain thresholds. For the 2025–2026 benefit year, the phase-out starts around:
- $42,335 for single individuals
- $56,000 for couples with two children
These limits will likely be adjusted upward slightly for the 2026–2027 year to account for inflation.
You can check your personalized estimate using the CRA’s GST/HST Credit Calculator available on the Canada.ca website.
How to Check Your GST/HST Credit Status
Canadians can verify their eligibility, payment amount, and deposit status by logging in to their CRA My Account online.
Here’s how:
- Visit www.canada.ca/my-cra-account.
- Sign in securely using GCKey or your banking partner.
- Under the “Benefits and Credits” section, click GST/HST Credit.
- View your next payment date, amount, and benefit period.
You can also update your direct deposit information to ensure faster access to your payments.
Direct Deposit vs. Cheque
The CRA strongly encourages all recipients to sign up for direct deposit to avoid delays, particularly during postal disruptions or high-volume mailing periods.
To set up direct deposit, you can:
- Log in to your CRA My Account; or
- Complete Form RC366 (Direct Deposit Enrollment Form) and submit it to the CRA.
If you still receive cheques, payments typically arrive within 5–10 business days of the scheduled date.
Common Reasons for Delayed or Missing Payments
If your GST/HST credit hasn’t arrived on time, the delay could be due to:
- Not filing your tax return — even if you had no income.
- Incorrect banking or mailing information.
- Recent changes in marital status or dependents not updated with CRA.
- System processing delays after filing a new return.
If 10 business days have passed since the payment date and you haven’t received your money, contact the CRA directly at 1-800-387-1193.
Why GST/HST Credits Matter More in 2026
The 2026 GST/HST payment schedule arrives at a time when many Canadians are still struggling with the rising cost of living.
Even with inflation stabilizing, high prices for groceries, rent, utilities, and fuel continue to affect household budgets. The quarterly credit serves as a small but vital relief, particularly for low-income families and seniors.
For some households, the GST/HST credit, combined with other benefits like the Canada Workers Benefit or Canada Carbon Rebate, provides hundreds of dollars in financial support each quarter.
Key Takeaways
- Next year’s GST/HST credit dates: Jan 10, Apr 9, Jul 10, Oct 9, 2026.
- Payments are automatic once you file your tax return.
- You must be a Canadian resident and 19 years or older (or meet exceptions).
- Direct deposit ensures faster, safer payments.
- The credit amount is indexed to inflation, helping offset higher living costs.
The CRA’s 2026 GST/HST payment schedule offers crucial predictability for Canadians who depend on quarterly benefits to manage rising expenses.
While each payment may seem modest, these credits — along with other federal supports — make a meaningful difference in helping families, single parents, and seniors keep pace with inflation.
As long as you file your taxes and keep your CRA information up to date, your 2026 GST/HST payments will arrive right on time — beginning January 10, 2026.