When Are The GST/HST Tax Credit Payment Dates?

Written by Bryan Daly
Fact-checked by Caitlin Wood

When Are The GST/HST Tax Credit Payment Dates?

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Nobody enjoys paying taxes. That said, the Government of Canada does offer different tax benefits, such as credits and deductions to help offset the amount of taxes that many of us have to pay throughout the year. One of the most common benefits among taxpayers is the GST/HST tax credit, which involves a series of installments.

Want to know what the GST/HST tax credit is and when you will receive your payments once you’ve qualified for it?

Have a low income? Check out these tax tips for low income earners.

What is The GST/HST Tax Credit?

When you purchase various goods and services in Canada, chances are you’ll have to pay Goods and Sales Tax (GST) and/or Harmonized Sales Tax (HST). As mentioned, the GST/HST tax credit is a financial benefit provided by the federal government, which helps offset the amount of GST and HST that consumers get charged for during a tax year.

The credit involves 4 annual (quarterly) non-taxable payments and is meant for families, spouses, common-law partners, and individuals who have low to moderate net incomes.

Do you have children? Check out these tax benefits for parents.

How Much Can You Receive With The GST/HST Tax Credit?

The GST/HST tax credit is calculated by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). If you qualify, the overall amount you can receive, as well as the size of your quarterly payments can vary based on the following personal and financial elements:

How many children you have living at home
How old your children are (they must be under 19 years of age)
Your individual or household income during the previous tax year-end
Your current marital status (single, married or common-law partnership)

At the moment, the maximum GST/HST tax credit amount you can receive is:

$296 for eligible adults over the age of 19
$155 for each child you have that’s under the age of 19
$296 for single parents (equivalent to spouse amount)
$155 for single adults (supplement)
$9,590 for single adults with no children (phase-in threshold for supplement)
$38,507 total phase-out threshold

Total Amounts

$451 annually for single adults
$592 annually for adults who are married or in common-law partnerships
$155 annually for each child under the age of 19

Find out how to file your taxes as a couple.

What Are The GST/HST Tax Credit Dates?

Remember, the CRA generally pays out the GST/HST tax credit on a quarterly basis. Those payments are drawn out over a 12-month period that spans from July 1st of the subsequent year (following the base year) to June 30th of the next year.

For the 2021 tax year, those payments will be deposited on:

Tuesday, January 5th, 2021
Thursday, April 1st, 2021
Monday, July 5th, 2021
Tuesday, October 5th, 2021

Keep in mind that there are times when your quarterly GST/HST tax credit payment could arrive a little bit late. If you don’t receive your payment after about 10 business days, be sure to contact the Canada Revenue Agency and get the situation resolved.

Find out if you have any uncashed cheques with the CRA.

Which Canadians Are Eligible For The GST/HST Tax Credit?

Unfortunately, some taxpayers don’t qualify for the GST/HST tax credit. Here are the types of Canadians that are eligible for this CRA benefit:

Permanent residents who are at least 19 years of age
Residents who have or have had a common-law partner or spouse
Parents who live or have lived with a child under the age of 19

On the other hand, you may not be eligible for the GST/HST tax credit if you are:

A servant or officer (diplomat, etc.) of a foreign country and you aren’t required to pay taxes in Canada
An employee or family member of a foreign servant or officer

Incarcerated (in prison or similar facility) for 90 or more consecutive days
Not a Canadian resident (for tax purposes)

How Do I Apply For The GST/HST Tax Credit?

As of 2014, the Canada Revenue Agency is responsible for examining your financial profile and confirming whether or not you are actually eligible for the GST/HST tax credit. Here are a few other things that you may need to do in order to apply:

File your 2019 income tax return, even if you didn’t earn an income that year (this is necessary to qualify for any provincial or territorial tax credits)
Register for a Social Insurance Number (both you and your spouse or common-law partner must have a valid SIN to be eligible)
If necessary, fill out the “Information About Your Spouse or Common-Law Partner” section on page 1 of your 2019 tax return (SIN, income, etc.)
If you are a new resident of Canada and you have children, fill out Form RC66. If you are a new resident without children, complete Form RC151.
Apply online by creating a CRA My Account or mail the right documents to your nearest provincial/territorial Canada Revenue Agency office.

Find out if you qualify for the Canada Worker’s Benefit.

Provincial GST/HST Credits

If you are a qualified taxpayer with a low to moderate income, the GST/HST tax credit can definitely be a good thing to have on your side. Not to mention, you may be able to access these other tax-free CRA credits (in addition to your GST/HST payments):

B.C. Climate Action Tax Credit

Quarterly payment to offset carbon taxes for British Columbia residents. Individuals, spouses and common-law partners can receive up to $174, along with $51 per child annually. Taxpayers can also collect the credit in a one-time “enhanced” payment of $218, plus $61 per child.

Check out the minimum wage rate in BC.

New Brunswick Harmonized Sales Tax Credit

Individuals, spouses, and common-law partners can receive a yearly credit of up to $300, with an additional $100 per child over the age of 19 (who’s still living at home). The full credit amount decreases by 2% if the taxpayer has a net income over $35,000.

Has your employer gone bankrupt? You may qualify for the Wage Earner Protection Program.

Newfoundland and Labrador Income Supplement

For any low-income individuals, families and people with disabilities who have been affected by the province’s tax measures. Single adults can collect up to $450 or $510 (yearly) if they have a spouse or common-law partner, along with $100 for each child.

Do you live and Alberta and have a disability? Check out the AISH program.

Newfoundland and Labrador Seniors Benefit

A yearly payment of $1,313 for single seniors (65 or older) and spousal/common-law couples where at least one person is a senior with an adjusted family net income of $29,402 or less. Eligible taxpayers with incomes of $29,402 – $40,663 will receive a partial payment.

Check out these tax benefits for seniors.

Nova Scotia Affordable Living Tax Credit

Helps offset any increases in HST and provides extra money for low-income taxpayers. Currently, the maximum annual payment amount is $255 for individuals and couples, plus $60 per child. The amount reduces by 5% for adjusted family net incomes over $30,000.

Find out what tax bracket you fall under.

Ontario Sales Tax Credit

Provides a $313 yearly credit per adult and child in a family (the amount may also decrease according to your income). If applicable, your OSTC can be combined with the Ontario Energy and Property tax credit and/or Northern Ontario Energy Credit to form the Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB).

Prince Edward Island Sales Tax Credit

A yearly credit of $110 per individual and $55 per common-law partner, spouse or another qualified dependent. If your adjusted family net income is over $30,000, you can receive an extra 0.5% supplement (up to $55). The amount decreases by 2% for incomes over $50,000.

Looking for extra tax credits? Check out these going green tax credits, rebates and government programs.

Saskatchewan Low-Income Tax Credit

Provides up to $346 annually for individuals, spouses/common-law partners and other eligible dependents. Additionally, earn up to $136 per child (2 children maximum) or a yearly credit of $946 per family. Reductions start when your net income surpasses $32,643.

Additional Reading

GST/HST

How will I receive my GST/HST tax credit?

There are two ways to receive your GST/HST tax benefit. You can request for the payments to be mailed to you by the Canada Revenue Agency in 4 separate cheques or set up direct deposit through your financial institution using your CRA My Account.

Can I ppt to receive my GST/HST Tax Credit in a lump sum?

Generally speaking, the Canada Revenue Agency will divide your full GST/HST tax credit into 4 equal payments, spread out over a single tax year. However, if your total payment amount adds up to less than $50, the CRA may send it to you all at once.

Is there a net income limit to qualify for the GST/HST Tax Credit?

Yes, before you apply for any type of federal, provincial or territorial tax benefit, don’t forget to visit the CRA website to make sure that you, your children and/or your spouse/common-law partner meet all the requirements. Here are the current individual and household net income limits to become eligible for the GST/HST tax credit:

$47,572 for single Canadian residents over the age of 19
$53,447 for single parents with 1 child
$56,547 for single parents with 2 children
$59,647 for single parents with 3 children
$62,747 for single parents with 4 children
$50,347 for married or common-law couples with no children
$53,447 for married or common-law couples with 1 child
$56,547 for married or common-law couples with 2 children
$59,647 for married or common-law couples with 3 children
$62,747 for married or common-law couples with 4 children

Wondering if You Qualify For Canada’s GST/HST Tax Credit?

Consulting the Canada Revenue Agency is the best way to determine if you qualify for the GST/HST tax credit. Don’t miss out on extra funds that could otherwise be used to cover your expenses when your own income won’t suffice. Tax season is just around the corner, so don’t hesitate to check out the GST/HST tax credit.