GST/HST Credit - Canada.ca (2024)

From: Canada Revenue Agency

Including related provincial and territorial credits and benefits

For the 2024-2025 payment period

RC4210(E) Rev. 24

The CRA's publications and personalized correspondence are availablein braille, large print, e-text, and MP3. For more information, go to Order alternate formats for persons with disabilities or call 1-800-387-1193.

La version française de ce guideest intitulée Crédit pour la TPS/TVH.

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Thisguide gives information about the goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax (GST/HST) credit, such as:

• who is eligible
• when you get it
• how it is calculated
• what are the related provincial and territorial programs administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)

This guide uses plain language to explain most common tax situations. It is provided for information only and does not replace the law.

Definitions

Adjusted family net income – your family net income minus any universal child care benefit (UCCB) and registered disability savings plan (RDSP) income received plus any UCCB and RDSP amounts repaid. If you received split income, refer to the information sheet for Form T1206, Tax on Split Income.

Common-law partner – a person to whom you are not married, with whom you are living in a conjugal relationship, and to whomone of the following situations applies. They:

• have been living with you for at least 12 continuous months. This includes any period you were separated for less than 90days because of a breakdown in therelationship
• are the parent of your child by birth or adoption
• have custody and control of your child (or had custody and control immediately before the child turned 19 years of age) and your child is wholly dependent on that person for support

Family net income – your net income added to the net income of your spouse or common-law partner, if you have one. Family net income does not include your child’s net income.

If you or your spouse or common-law partner were non-residents of Canada for part or all of the year, family net income includes your or your spouse or common-law partner's income from all sources, both inside and outside Canada, for any part of the year that either of you were not residents of Canada. Income from sources outside Canada must be determined in the same way net income is determined in Canada.

Kinship or close relationship programs – programs of the Government of Canada or a provincial or territorial government, or under proposed changes an Indigenous governing body, for the care and upbringing, on a temporary basis, of a child in need of protection.

Unlike other foster care arrangements, the child is generally placed in the care of a grandparent, an extended family member, or a close friend without being brought into the legal custody and guardianship of the province or territory. Certain jurisdictions may offer financial assistance to help individuals cover the expenses in caring for the child.

Married – you are legally married to someone.

Separated – you have been living apart from your spouse or common-law partner because of a breakdown in the relationship for a period of at least 90 days and you have not reconciled.

Once you have been separated for 90 days (because of a breakdown in the relationship), the effective day of your separation is the date you started living apart.

You would still be considered to have a spouse or common-law partner if there isnobreakdown in the relationship and you were living apart for reasons such as:

• work
• studies
• health problems

Single – you are single and no other marital status applies to you.

Spouse – the person to whom you are legally married.

GST/HST credit

The GST/HST credit is a non-taxable amount paid four times a year to individuals and families with low and modest incomes to help offset the GST/HST that they pay.

Eligibility criteria

You are eligible for this credit if you are a resident of Canada for income tax purposes at the end of the month before and at the beginning of the month in which the CRA makes a payment (read When your GST/HST credit is paid).

In the month before the CRA makes a quarterly payment, you must be at least 19 years old. If you are under 19 years old, you must meet at least one of the following conditions during the same period:

• You have (or had) a spouse or common-law partner.
• You are (or were) a parent and live (or lived) with your child.

Generally, you are not eligible for theGST/HST credit if at the end of the month before and at the beginning of the month in which the CRA makes a quarterly payment, any of the following apply:

• You are not a resident of Canada for income tax purposes.
• You do not have to pay tax in Canada because you are an officer or servant of another country (such as a diplomat) or a family member or employee of such a person.
• You are confined to a prison or similar institution for a period of at least 90 consecutive days.
• The recipient is deceased (for more information, read If the recipient has died).

Who is considered a resident of Canada

You are considered to be a resident of Canada when you establish sufficient residential ties in Canada. Residential ties include:

• a home in Canada
• a spouse or common-law partner who lives in Canada
• dependants who live in Canada

If you are not sure if you are a resident of Canada, send Form NR74, Determination of Residency Status (Entering Canada), and include it with your application. The CRA will give you an opinion about your residency status.

How to get the GST/HST credit

To get the GST/HST credit, including any related provincial and territorial credits, you have to file a tax return for 2023, even if you have not received income in the year.

If you are a newcomer to Canada and you want to get the GST/HST credit, send a completedForm RC151, GST/HST Credit and Canada Carbon Rebate Application for Individuals Who Become Residents of Canada.

You must provide proof of birth for any children for whom you are applying if the CRA has not paid benefits to anyone for the child or children. For more information on proof of birth, go toSupporting Documents.

You need a social insurance number

You and your spouse or common-law partner (if you have one) need a social insurance number (SIN) toget the GST/HST credit. To get a SIN, go to a Service Canada office to apply in person and you will get one during that visit. You will have to provide a document that proves your identity, such as your birth certificate. If you live in an inaccessible area or 100 kilometers or more from a Service Canada office, you can apply by mail.

For more information or to get an application for a SIN, go to Social Insurance Number or call 1-866-274-6627. To find the address of the Service Canada Centre nearest you, go to Find a Service Canada Office or call 1-800-622-6232.

If Service Canada will not give you a SIN, you can still get the GST/HSTcredit if you meet all of the conditions listed under Eligibility criteria. Attach a note to yourForm RC151, GST/HST Credit and Canada Carbon Rebate Application for Individuals Who Become Residents of Canada, explaining why you cannot get a SIN and include a photocopy of one of your following documents:

• passport
• driver's licence
• visitor record
• birth certificate or proof of birth
• any document issuedby Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
• any document that proves your or your spouse or common-law partner's identity

If you have a spouse or common-law partner

You can get the credit for your spouse or common-law partner. Generally, your spouse or common-law partner has to be a resident of Canada at the end of the month before and at the beginning of the month in which the CRA makes a payment (read When your GST/HST credit is paid).

If you had a spouse or common-law partner on December 31, 2023, fill out "Information about your spouse or common-law partner"on page 1 of yourtax return.

Enter their SIN and net income, even if it is zero. Incomplete or incorrect information may delay the processing of your application.

Only one of you can get the credit for both of you. The credit will be paid to the spouse or common-law partner whose tax return is filed first. No matter which one of you receives the credit, the amount will be the same.

If your marital status changed after December 31, 2023, you must tell the CRA. For more information, read If your marital status has changed.

If your spouse or common-law partner immigrates to Canada, they will have to send us all of the following information in writing (by mail to their tax centre or through My Account):

• social insurance number
• date of birth
• address
• immigration date
• statement of income

If you have children who are under 19 years of age

You can get the credit for each of your children if all of the following apply at the end of the month before and at the beginning of the month in which the CRA makes a payment. The child:

• is your child, or is dependent on you or your spouse or common-law partner for support
• is under 19 years of age
• has never had a spouse or common-law partner
• has never been a parent of a child they lived with
• lives with you

Each eligible parent in a shared custody situation may get half of the GST/HST credit for that child. This also applies to any related provincial and territorial credit.

For more information about shared custody situations, read Shared custody, call 1-800-387-1193, or consult Booklet T4114, Canada Child Benefit.

The credit for your child will be included in your credit.

You cannot get the credit for a child if, at the end of the month before and at the beginning of the month in which the CRA makes a payment, the child is not living with you because they are maintained by an agency or are in foster care. Also, you cannot get the credit for a foster child in your care. However, if you live with a child that you care for under a kinship or close relationship program, you can get the credit for that child.

Your GST/HST credit will automatically be recalculated to exclude a child who turned 19 years of age during the year. The adjustment is effective in the quarterly payment following the child's 19th birthday.

How to register your children

Your child is automatically registered for the GST/HST credit if you are currently eligible for the Canada child benefit. If you become primarily responsible for the care and upbringing of a child, you can register them for the GST/HST credit and related provincial or territorial programs by using one of the following methods:

• "Apply for child benefits" in My Account
• sending Form RC66, Canada Child Benefit Application

You must provide proof of birth for any children for whom you are applying, if the CRA has not paid benefits to anyone for the child or children. For more information on proof of birth, go to Supporting documents.

If you turn 19 years of age before April 2025

Generally, you have to be 19 years of age or older to get the GST/HST credit.

If you turn 19 years of age before April 2025, make sure that you file your 2023tax return.The CRA will automatically determine your eligibility for the GST/HST credit, and if you are eligible, your first payment will be issued in the quarterly payment after your 19th birthday (read When your GST/HST credit is paid).

How your GST/HST credit is calculated

Base year and payment period

The base year is the year of thetax return from which information is taken to calculate the GST/HST credit amount for the payment period.

The payment period is the 12‑month period during which the GST/HST credits are paid. The payment period runs from July1 of the year following the base year to June30 of thenext year.

For example, GST/HST credit payments calculated on the 2023 tax return will start being issued in July 2024, which is the beginning of the payment period. For more information, read When your GST/HST credit is paidbelow.

The following chart illustrates the link between the base year and the payment period.

If the CRA determines that youare eligiblefor the GST/HST credit based on your2023 tax return and that you will receive payments, you will receive a GST/HST credit notice inJuly 2024.It will show how much you will get and what information was used to calculate the amount.

For the payment period fromJuly 2024 toJune 2025, the CRA bases your credit on the following:

• your marital status
• the number of eligible children you have registered for the GST/HST credit
• your adjusted family net income for the 2023 base year

Benefits online calculator

Use the CRA's online service to get an estimate of your GST/HST credit, by going to Child and family benefits calculator.

How much you can expect to receive

For the 2023 base year (payment period from July 2024 to June 2025), you could get up to:

• $519 if you are single
• $680 if you are married or have a common-law partner
• $179 for each child under 19 years of age

Be sure to keep your personal information updated to avoid underpayments or overpayments. An increase of your 2023 adjusted family net income could affect your payments starting in July 2024.

When your GST/HST credit is paid

You will get your annual GST/HST credit, which was calculated using information from your 2023 tax return, in four payments. The CRA will make these payments on July 5 and October 4, 2024,and on January 3and April 4, 2025.

However, if your GST/HST credit calculated in July 2024is less than $50 per quarter, the CRA will pay you for the entire payment period on July 5, 2024.

If you do not receive your payment on the scheduled day, wait 10 working days before calling 1-800-387-1193.

You can view your GST/HST payment dates and amounts in My Account.

When your GST/HST credit is recalculated

A change in your situation may cause your GST/HST credit payment to be recalculated based on the effective date of the change. The CRA will send you a GST/HST credit notice of redetermination showing the revised annual credit amount when any of the following situations apply and change the amount of your payment:

• after each reassessment of either your or your spouse or common-law partner's tax return that affects net income
• after a change in your marital status
• after a change inthe number of eligible children in your care
• after the death of a GST/HST credit recipient

For more information, read When you should contact the CRA.

If you were overpaid

If a recalculation shows you have been overpaid for theGST/HST credit, the CRA will send you a notice to inform you of the amount due. For more information on how to make a payment, go to Payments to the CRA.

The CRA will keep all future GST/HST credit payments or tax refunds until the balance is repaid. The CRA will also apply your GST/HST credit to amounts owing for tax balances or amounts owing to other federal, provincial, or territorial government programs.

Related provincial and territorial programs

The CRA administers the following provincial and territorial programs that are related to the GST/HST credit:

• BC climate action tax credit
• New Brunswick harmonized sales tax credit
• Newfoundland and Labrador income supplement
• Newfoundland and Labrador seniors' benefit
• Northwest Territories cost of living offset
• Nova Scotia affordable living tax credit
• Nunavut carbon credit
• Ontario sales tax credit
• Prince Edward Island sales tax credit
• Saskatchewan low-income tax credit
• Yukon government carbon price rebate – individuals

You do not need to apply to a province or territory to get payments for these programs. If you are eligible for the GST/HST credit, your provincial and territorial credit payments will be combined with your GST/HST credit payments (except for the Ontario sales tax credit, as part of the Ontario trillium benefit, which is issued separately).

If you use the direct deposit service for your GST/HST credit payments, the CRA will deposit your provincial and territorial payments into the same account.

BC climate action tax credit

This credit is a non-taxable amount paid to help low-income individuals and families with the carbon taxes they pay.

The program provides a credit of up to $504for an individual, $252 for a spouseor common-law partner, and $126 per child under 19 years of age ($252 for the first child in a single-parent family).

For single individuals with no children, the credit is reduced by 2% of their adjusted net income over $41,071.For families, the credit is reduced by 2% of their adjusted family net income over $57,288.

This amount is combined with the quarterly payment of the federal GST/HST credit.

The BC climate action tax credit is fully funded by the Province of British Columbia.

New Brunswick harmonized sales tax credit

This credit is a non-taxable amount paid to help offset the increase in the sales tax for households with low and modest incomes.

The program provides for a maximum annual amount of $300 for an individual, $300 for a spouseor common-law partner, and $100 per child under 19 years of age ($300 for the first child in a single parent family). The credit is reduced by 2% of the adjusted family net income over $35,000.

This amount is combined with the quarterly payments of the federal GST/HST credit.

The New Brunswick harmonized sales tax credit is fully funded by the Province of New Brunswick.

Newfoundland and Labrador income supplement

The Newfoundland and Labrador income supplement (NLIS) is a non‑taxable amount paid quarterly to low‑income individuals, families, seniors, and persons with disabilities to help reduce the impact of additional tax measures. It is calculated based on your family situation and your adjusted family net income.

The maximum annual payment amount is $520 if you are a single individual, $589 if you have a spouse or common law partner, plus $231 per child under 19 years of age.

Your NLIS payment may include a Newfoundland and Labrador disability amount (NLDA). The NLDA is an additional benefit designed to help low–and modest–income persons with disabilities. To be eligible for the NLDA for a quarter an individual must be eligible for the federal GST/HST credit, the NLIS and the disability tax credit (DTC).

For more information on the DTC, go to Disability tax credit (DTC).

These amounts are combined with the quarterly payments of the federal GST/HST credit.

This program is fully funded by the province.

Newfoundland and Labrador seniors' benefit

This program provides a non‑taxable annual amount of $1,516 for a single senior (65years of age or older at any time during 2024) or a married or common‑law couple with at least one senior whose adjusted family net income is $29,402 or less. Eligible seniors will get part of this payment if their adjusted family net income is between $29,402 and $41,787.

This amount is combined with the quarterly payments of the federal GST/HST credit.

The Newfoundland and Labradorseniors' benefit is fully funded by the province.

Northwest Territories cost of living offset

This credit is a non-taxable amount paid to individuals and families to help offset the cost of the Northwest Territories carbon tax. This amount is combined with the quarterly payments of the federal GST/HST credit.

Northwest Territories cost of living offset payments are calculated based on three postal code zones.

For July 2024 to June 2025, annual payment amounts are as follows:

The amounts are not subject to a benefit reduction based on income. The Northwest Territories cost of living offset is fully funded by the Northwest Territories.

Nova Scotia affordable living tax credit

This credit is a non-taxable amount paid to make life more affordable for Nova Scotian households with low and modest incomes. This credit offsets the increase in the HST and provides additional income for these households.

The program provides a maximum annual credit of$255for an individual or a couple, and $60 for each child under19 yearsof age. The credit is reduced by 5% ofadjusted family net incomeover$30,000.

This amount is combined with the quarterly payments of the federalGST/HSTcredit.

The Nova Scotia affordable living tax credit is fully funded by the Province of Nova Scotia.

Nunavut carbon credit

This credit is a non-taxable amount paid to individuals and families to help offset the cost of the federal carbon pollution pricing levy.

The program provides an annual credit of $100 for an individual, $100 for a spouse or common-law partner, and $100 per child. This amount is combined with the quarterly payment of the federal GST/HST credit.

The Nunavut carbon credit is fully funded by Nunavut.

Ontario sales tax credit

This credit is a non-taxable amount paid to provide relief for Ontario residents with low and modest incomes for the sales tax they pay.

The program provides a maximum annual credit of$360 for each adult and each child under 19years of age in a family. If you are a single individual with no children, the credit will be reduced by4% of your adjusted net income over$27,729. If you are a single parent, or are married or living common‑law, the credit will be reduced by4% of youradjusted family net incomeover$34,661.

This amount is part of the Ontario trillium benefit. You can choose to get the payments monthly,issued on the 10th of each month, or in one payment at the end of the benefit year (inJune 2025) if the annual entitlement is over $360.

If the annual entitlement is $360 or less, it will be issued in one lump‑sum payment in the first payment month (usually inJuly 2024).

For more information, call1-877-627-6645.The Ontario sales tax credit is fully funded by the Province of Ontario.

Prince Edward Island sales tax credit

This credit is a non-taxable amount paid to help offset the increase in the sales tax for households with low and modest incomes.

The program provides an annual credit of $110 for an individual plus, if applicable, $55 for aspouse,common-law partner, or an eligible dependant. There is also a supplement of 0.5% ofadjusted family net incomeover$30,000, up to a maximum of $55. The total of the above is reduced by 2% of adjusted family net income over$50,000.

The Prince Edward Island sales tax credit is fully funded by the Province of Prince Edward Island.

Saskatchewan low-income tax credit

This credit is a non‑taxable amount paid to help Saskatchewan residents with low and modest incomes.

The program provides$398 for an individual, $398 for aspouseorcommon-law partner(or for an eligible dependant), and$157 per child under 19years of age (maximum of two children), or an annual credit of up to$1,110 per family.

The credit starts to be reduced when theadjusted family net incomeis more than$37,584. Families with adjusted family net income between$37,584 and$77,947 may get part of the credit.

This amount is combined with the quarterly payments of the federalGST/HSTcredit.

The Saskatchewanlow-incometax credit is fully funded by the Province of Saskatchewan.

Yukon government carbon price rebate – individuals

This credit is a non-taxable amount paid to individuals and families to help offset the cost of the federal carbon pollutionpricing levy.

The program provides an annual credit of $310 for an individual, $310 for a spouse or common-law partner, and $310 per child under 19 years of age.

Individuals living outside of Whitehorse will also receive a remote supplement amount of $62 for an individual, $62 for a spouse or common-law partner, and $62 for each eligible child under 19 years of age.

The credit is not subject to a benefit reduction based on income.

This amount is combined with the quarterly payments of the federal GST/HST credit.

The Yukon government carbon price rebate – individuals is fully funded by Yukon.

When you should contact the CRA

You should tell the CRA immediately about certain changes, as well as the date they happened or will happen. This section explains what the changes are and how you should tell the CRA about them.

If the number of children in your care has changed

The CRA may need to recalculate your GST/HST credit based on new information when any of the following situations apply:

• your child is born, a child starts to live with you or you share custody of a child (read If you have children who are under 19 years of age)
• a child for whom you are getting benefits no longer lives with you on a full-time basis, stops living with you, becomes a spouse or common-law partner or a parent, or has died. You can tell the CRA by using one of the following methods:
  • My Account
  • calling1-800-387-1193

If your marital status has changed

If your marital status changes, let the CRA know by the end of the month following the month in which your status changed. This could affect the amount of your GST/HST credit. You can tell the CRA by using one of the following methods:

• My Account
• calling1-800-387-1193
• sendingForm RC65, Marital Status Change

Only one GST/HST credit payment is allowed per family for each quarter. If you were both getting payments as individuals before you were married or became common-law partners, and you both continued to get payments after your marital status changed, one of you will have to repay the amounts you got after your status changed. Either your payments or your spouse or common-law partner’s payments will be adjusted to include the credit for both of you.

Do not tell the CRA of your separation until you have been separated for a period of at least 90 days.

If the recipient has died

An individual is noteligible to get the GST/HST credit payments after they die. The CRA may send out a payment after the date of death if the CRA is not aware of the situation. If this happens, you have to return the payment and let the CRA know the date of the death of the recipient so that the information can be updated (go to Find a CRA address).

If the deceased recipient was married or living common-law

If the deceased recipient's GST/HST credit included an amount for a spouse or common-law partner, the CRA will automatically determine that spouse or common‑law partner’s eligibility for the remaining payments for themselves and for any of their children. If the surviving spouse or common‑law partner did not file a tax return, they have to do so to get the payments.

If the deceased recipient was single, separated, divorced, or widowed

If the recipient died before the month in which the CRA makes a payment, any more payments cannot be made in that person’s name or to that person’s estate.

If the recipient died during or after the month in which the CRA issued the GST/HST credit payment and the payment has not been cashed, return it so that the CRA can send the payment to the person’s estate.

If the recipient was getting a payment for a child, the child’s new caregiver should contact the CRA to request the GST/HST credit for that child.

If you are moving

If you move, let the CRA know your new address immediately. Otherwise, your payments may stop, even if you use direct deposit and your bank account does not change. You can change your address by using one of the following methods:

• My Account
• calling 1-800-387-1193
• sending Form RC325, Address change request

Other changes

Call 1-800-387-1193 to tell the CRA, if:

• any of the personal information, such as your name, marital status, or the spousal or child information shown on your GST/HST credit notice is not correct
• you (or your spouse or common-law partner) are no longer a resident of Canada

Digital services for individuals

The CRA’s digital services are fast, easy, and secure!

My Account

My Account lets you view and manage your personal income tax and benefit information online.

Use My Account throughout the year to:

• view your benefit and credit information and apply for certain benefits
• view your notice of assessment or reassessment
• view uncashed cheques and request a replacement payment
• change your address, phone numbers, direct deposit information, marital status, and information about children in your care
• manage notification preferences and receive email notifications when important changes are made to your account
• check your tax-free savings account (TFSA) contribution room, your registered retirement savings plan (RRSP) deduction limit, and your first home savings account (FHSA) participation room
• track the progress of certain files and enquiries you have submitted to the CRA
• make a payment online to the CRA with the My Payment service, create a pre-authorized debit (PAD) agreement, or create a QR code to pay in person at Canada Post for a fee (for more information on how to make a payment, go to Payments to the CRA)
• view and print your proof of income statement
• manage authorized representatives and authorization requests
• submit documents to the CRA
• submit an audit enquiry
• manage multi-factor authentication settings

To sign in to or register for the CRA's digital services, go to:

• My Account if you are an individual
• Represent a Client, if you are an authorized representative

Receive your CRA mail online

Set your correspondence preference to "Electronic mail" to receive email notifications when CRA mail, like your notice of assessment, is available in your account.

For more information, go to Email notifications from the CRA.

For more information

If you need help

If you need more information after reading this guide, go to GST/HST credit or call 1-800-387-1193.

Direct deposit

Direct deposit is a fast, convenient, and secure way to receive your CRA payments directly in your account at afinancial institution in Canada. For more information and ways to enrol, go to Direct deposit or contact your financial institution.

Forms and publications

The CRA encourages you to file your return electronically. If you need a paper version of the CRA's forms and publications, go to Forms and publications or call1-800-959-8281.

Electronic mailing lists

The CRA can send you an email when new information on a subject of interest to you is available on the website. Tosubscribe to the electronic mailing lists, go to Electronic mailing lists.

Tax Information Phone Service (TIPS)

For tax information by telephone, use the CRA's automated service, TIPS, by calling 1-800-267-6999.

Teletypewriter (TTY) and Video Relay Service (Canada VRS) users

If you use a TTY for a hearing or speech impairment, call 1-800-665-0354.

If you use the Canada VRS application, call 1-800-561-6393.

If you use another operator-assisted relay service, call the CRA's regular telephone numbers instead of the TTY or Canada VRS numbers.

Formal disputes (objections and appeals)

You have the right to file an objection (or an appeal for the Canada Pension Plan or Employment Insurance) if you disagree with an assessment, determination, or decision.

For more information about objections and related deadlines, go to File an objection.

CRA service feedback program

Service complaints

You can expect to be treated fairly under clear and established rules, and get a high level of service each time you deal with the CRA. For more information about the Taxpayer Bill of rights go toTaxpayer Bill of Rights.

You may provide compliments or suggestions, and if you are not satisfied with the service you received:

1. Try to resolve the matter with the employee you have been dealing with or call the telephone number provided in the correspondence you received from the CRA. Ifyou do not have contact information for the CRA, go to Contact information.
2. If you have not been able to resolve your service-related issue, you can ask to discuss the matter with theemployee’s supervisor.
3. If the problem is still not resolved, you can file a service-related complaint by filling outForm RC193, Service Feedback. For more information and to learn how to file a complaint, go to Submit a service feedback.

If you are not satisfied with how the CRA has handled your service-related complaint, you can submit a complaint to the Office of the Taxpayers' Ombudsperson.

Reprisal complaint

If you have received a response regarding a previously submitted service complaint or a formal review of a CRA decision and feel you were not treated impartially by a CRA employee, you can submit a reprisal complaint by filling out Form RC459, Reprisal Complaint.

For more information, go to Complaints, objections, appeals, disputes, and relief measures.