- The CRA renamed the GST/HST credit the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit as of July 2026, with the same eligibility rules.
- Maximums for July 2026 to June 2027 are $679 single, $890 for a couple and $234 for each child under 19.
- Payments for the year fall on July 3, 2026, October 5, 2026, January 5, 2027 and April 5, 2027.
- You must file a 2025 tax return to get it, even if you had no income.
Checked October 2026
The GST/HST credit has a new name
If you search for the GST credit, you’ll now land on a CRA page for the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit. The CRA says the GST/HST credit was renamed as of July 2026 and that the eligibility criteria are the same, so if you got the old credit you’re likely eligible for the new one.
Two other things changed in 2026. A one-time top-up went out on June 5, 2026 to people entitled to the credit in January 2026. Finance Canada set it at 50% of the 2025-26 annual credit. Then, starting in July 2026, Finance Canada says the benefit’s value rises by 25% for five years. That’s why the single maximum is $679 this year rather than the $543 base amount.
Who qualifies
The CRA’s rules for the July 2026 to June 2027 payment period are short.
- You’re a resident of Canada for income tax purposes at the end of the month before, and the start of the month of, each payment.
- You’re at least 19, or you’re under 19 and have, or had, a spouse or common-law partner, or you’re a parent who lives or lived with your child.
- You filed a 2025 tax return. You have to file even if you had no income in 2025.
- You and your spouse or common-law partner have a social insurance number.
If you turn 19 before April 2027, file your 2025 return anyway. Your first payment comes in the quarter after your birthday. Newcomers who become residents apply with Form RC151. You generally aren’t eligible if you’re a non-resident, a diplomat exempt from Canadian tax, or have been confined to a prison for at least 90 consecutive days.
How much you can get in 2026-27
The amount depends on your marital status, the number of children registered with the CRA and your 2025 adjusted family net income. That’s line 23600 of your return plus your spouse’s or partner’s.
| Family net income | Single, no children | Couple, no children | Couple, 1 child |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under $11,564 | $445.00 | $890.00 | $1,124.00 |
| $20,000 | $613.72 | $890.00 | $1,124.00 |
| $25,000 to $45,000 | $679.00 | $890.00 | $1,124.00 |
| $50,000 | $500.60 | $711.60 | $945.60 |
| $60,000 | $0.60 | $211.60 | $445.60 |
| $65,000 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $195.60 |
Source: CRA payments chart, 2025 base year. The CRA says these amounts are a guideline only. Payments are split into four quarterly instalments.
Two patterns show up in the chart. Single people with low incomes get a smaller amount that builds up until it reaches the full $679 by $25,000. And above $46,432 of family net income, the benefit shrinks by about $5 for every $100 of extra income until it runs out.
Payment dates for 2026 and 2027
The CRA pays on the 5th of July, October, January and April. When the 5th lands on a weekend or federal holiday, the payment moves to the last business day before it.
| Payment | Date | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | January 5, 2026 | GST/HST credit |
| April 2026 | April 2, 2026 | GST/HST credit, last payment under the old name |
| June 2026 top-up | June 5, 2026 | One-time top-up |
| July 2026 | July 3, 2026 | CGEB, first payment |
| October 2026 | October 5, 2026 | CGEB |
| January 2027 | January 5, 2027 | CGEB |
| April 2027 | April 5, 2027 | CGEB |
If your yearly amount works out to less than $50 a quarter, the CRA pays the whole year in July. If a payment hasn’t arrived, the CRA asks you to wait 10 working days before calling 1-800-387-1193.
A worked example
Take a couple with one child under 19 and a 2025 adjusted family net income of $50,000. Their maximum is $890 plus $234, or $1,124. Their income is $3,568 over the $46,432 threshold, which trims about $178.40. The CRA chart puts them at $945.60 for the year, or $236.40 each quarter.
A single person with no children and the same $50,000 income gets $500.60, about $125.15 a quarter. At $65,000 the single benefit reaches zero, while the couple with one child still gets $195.60.
Provincial credits paid with it
Several provinces pay their own credits alongside the federal benefit, into the same account. The CRA lists these programs for the current period.
| Program | Maximum |
|---|---|
| New Brunswick HST credit | $300 per adult, $100 per child |
| Newfoundland and Labrador income supplement | $520 single, $589 with a partner, $231 per child |
| Newfoundland and Labrador seniors’ benefit | $1,882 |
| Nova Scotia affordable living tax credit | $255 per individual or couple, $60 per child |
| Ontario sales tax credit | $378 per adult and child, paid with the Ontario trillium benefit |
| Prince Edward Island sales tax credit | $310 for an individual plus $55 for a spouse |
| Saskatchewan low-income tax credit | $460 per adult, $181 per child, up to $1,282 per family |
Each program has its own income test. The PEI credit is renamed the Prince Edward Island essentials benefit from November 2026.
Getting paid faster
- File your return every yearThe benefit is recalculated each July from the previous year’s return, so a missed return means missed payments.
- Set up direct depositThe CRA calls direct deposit the fastest way to get its payments. You can enrol in My Account or through many banks. Without it, you get a cheque.
- Keep your details currentTell the CRA about a new address, a change in marital status or a new child so the amount stays right.
Your Notice of Assessment confirms the return the CRA used. If you’re new to Canada, you’ll need a social insurance number before you can apply. Some people put quarterly payments toward an RRSP, a TFSA or a high-interest savings account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the GST credit still being paid?
Yes, under a new name. The CRA renamed it the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit as of July 2026, with the same eligibility rules.
When is the next GST payment?
The remaining dates for this benefit year are January 5, 2027 and April 5, 2027. October’s payment went out on October 5, 2026.
How much is the GST credit for 2026-27?
Up to $679 for a single person, $890 for a couple and $234 for each child under 19, for July 2026 to June 2027.
What income stops the GST credit?
It depends on family size. In the CRA chart a single person reaches zero at $65,000 of family net income, and a couple with one child at $70,000.
Do I need to apply for the GST credit?
No, if you file a tax return. The CRA works it out from your return. Newcomers apply with Form RC151.
Do I have to file taxes if I had no income?
Yes. The CRA says you have to file a 2025 return to get the benefit, even with no income.
What was the June 2026 GST payment?
A one-time top-up paid June 5, 2026 to people entitled to the credit in January 2026. Finance Canada set it at 50% of the 2025-26 annual credit.
Why did I get one payment instead of four?
If your benefit is under $50 a quarter, the CRA pays the full year’s amount in July.
Can I get the GST credit before I turn 19?
Only if you have, or had, a spouse or common-law partner, or you’re a parent living with your child. Otherwise you qualify from the quarter after you turn 19.
My payment didn’t arrive. What should I do?
Wait 10 working days after the payment date, then call the CRA at 1-800-387-1193. Check that your address and direct deposit details are current.
Try this next
Sources, checked October 2026
- CRA: GST/HST credit (archived, renamed CGEB) canada.ca
- Finance Canada: Backgrounder, the new Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit canada.ca
- CRA: RC4210, Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit canada.ca
- CRA: How much you can get, CGEB canada.ca
- CRA: Payments chart, July 2026 to June 2027 canada.ca
- CRA: Benefit payment dates canada.ca
- CRA: After sending us your tax return canada.ca
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