What is the GST/HST credit?
The GST/HST credit is a tax-free quarterly payment issued by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). It’s designed to assist low- and middle-income Canadians offset the products and services tax (GST) or harmonized sales tax (HST) you pay on on a regular basis purchases. The amount will probably be robotically deposited into your checking account every three months or delivered by check if you happen to do not have direct deposit.
How is the GST/HST credit calculated?
According to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), the GST/HST credit is calculated based in your net income, marital status and the number of youngsters in your household. In general, the lower your household income, the upper your quarterly payment will probably be.
The CRA uses the data from you Tax return for the previous yr to find out your eligibility and calculate the quantity you’ll receive each pay period. Below is a table that can provide help to see which payment dates are affected by which years:
| Base yr (tax return filed) | Payment period | Months of payment |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | July 2026 – June 2027 | July 2026, October 2026, January 2027, April 2027 |
| 2024 | July 2025 – June 2025 | July 2025, October 2025, January 2026, April 2026 |
| 2023 | July 2024–June 2025 | July 2024, October 2024, January 2025, April 2025 |
| 2022 | July 2023 – June 2024 | July 2023, October 2023, January 2024, April 2024 |
| 2021 | July 2022 – June 2023 | July 2022, October 2022, January 2023, April 2023 |
GST/HST loan payment dates for 2026
The GST/HST credit is paid quarterly by the Canada Revenue Agency, typically in January, April, July and October if you have got filed your taxes for the previous yr.
For 2026, the official payment dates for GST/HST credits are:
- January 5, 2026
- April 2, 2026
- July 3, 2026
- October 5, 2026
If you receive your GST/HST credit via direct deposit, the quantity should appear in your account on these dates. If your GST/HST credit payments are mailed by check, they could take as much as 10 business days to reach.
How to ascertain your payment plan
You can view your personalized GST/HST loan payment plan at any time through your CRA My Account. Here’s how:
- Sign in CRA My Account
- Click on “Benefits and Credits”
- Look for the GST/HST credit in your payment summary
This portal shows your next payment date, the quantity and whether the payment will probably be made via direct deposit or mail.
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What to do in case your payment is late or missing?
If your payment is just not received by the expected date, don’t panic. Here’s what you need to check first:
1. Expect processing delays
If you receive payment by mail, wait 10 business days after the scheduled date before contacting the CRA. If you signed up for direct deposit, double-check your checking account and CRA My Account to substantiate deposit status.
2. Check CRA My Account
In your CRA My account you’ll learn the next:
- When payment has been made
- If there are delays or delays
- If your account information is outdated
3. Check whether the address or bank has modified
If you lately moved or modified banks, your GST/HST credit can have been delayed or returned. You can update your information online through CRA My Account or by calling CRA.
4. Contact the CRA
