GST/HST Credit Payment Dates 2026: Quarterly Schedule Explained

If you are waiting for your quarterly GST/HST Credit to help cover the rising cost of groceries and bills, you need the exact banking dates—not vague estimates.

Unlike the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) which arrives monthly, the GST Credit is a quarterly tax-free payment issued only four times a year. For millions of low-and-modest income Canadians, these four dates are critical financial milestones.

Live GST Tracker: Countdown to Your Next 2026 Quarterly Rebate

This is the Official 2026 GST Payment Schedule, verified against Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) circulars. We cover the verified deposit dates, the projected 2026 maximum amounts, and the "Street Reality" of when banks like Tangerine and RBC actually release the funds.

Official 2026 GST/HST Payment Schedule

Save this table. The GST is typically paid on the 5th of the quarter, unless that day is a weekend or holiday.

(Note: For a full view of all government deposits, including the monthly CCB, check our Master Payment Calendar 2026 pillar guide.)

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Why are the dates different?

• April 2026: The 5th is Easter Sunday, and the 3rd is Good Friday. To avoid the long weekend delay, the CRA issues the payment on Thursday, April 2nd.
• July 2026: The 5th falls on a Sunday. The CRA moves the payment to the last business day before the weekend, which is Friday, July 3rd.

Quick Answers: Common GST Questions

When is the next GST payment in Canada?

The next GST/HST credit payment is scheduled for January 5, 2026. If you have direct deposit, you should see the funds in your account by 6:00 AM; if you receive cheques, allow up to 10 business days for mail delivery.

How much is the GST payment for 2026?

For the 2026 benefit year (starting July), a single individual can receive up to approx. $543 per year, while a couple with two children can receive up to $1,086 per year. The exact amount depends on your family net income reported on your 2025 tax return.

Is there a grocery rebate coming in 2026?

As of the current federal budget, there is no confirmed "Grocery Rebate" or one-time inflation payment scheduled for 2026. However, eligible low-to-modest income Canadians will continue to receive the standard quarterly GST/HST Credit, which includes inflation-adjusted amounts starting in July 2026.

Is the GST/HST credit taxable?

No. The GST/HST credit is 100% tax-free. You do not need to report it as income on your tax return, and receiving it does not reduce your eligibility for other benefits like welfare or disability support (ODSP/AISH).

How Much Will I Get? (2026 Amounts)

The GST credit is "indexed" to inflation, meaning the amount increases every July to help you keep up with the cost of living.

However, the year is split into two halves.

Period 1: January & April 2026

Payments during the first half of 2026 are still based on the 2024 tax year rates.

• Single Adult: Approx. $133.25 per quarter.
• Couple: Approx. $174.50 per quarter.
• Per Child: Approx. $46.00 per quarter.

Period 2: July & October 2026 (The Raise)

Starting July 3, 2026, your payments are recalculated based on your 2025 income and the new 2026 inflation index.

• Single Adult: Max approx. **$543** per year (~$135.75/quarter).
• Couple: Max approx. **$712** per year (~$178/quarter).
• Per Child: Max approx. **$187** per year (~$46.75/quarter).

Street Reality: The "Single Supplement"

If you are single and earn between $11,000 and $20,000, the government adds a "Single Supplement" boost to your cheque. This is why some single people get slightly more than half of what a couple gets. It is designed to help working-poor singles who don't have a partner to share rent with.

The "Grocery Rebate" Confusion

Every year, rumors circulate on social media about a "New Grocery Rebate."

The Truth:

The "Grocery Rebate" was a one-time payment issued in July 2023. Since then, the government has not made it a permanent program.

• What you are getting: The regular GST Credit.
• Why people are confused: Some news sites call the July GST payment a "Grocery Rebate" to get clicks. Do not expect an extra cheque unless the government announces a new budget measure in Spring 2026.

Street Reality: Deposit Times by Bank

Just like the Canada Child Benefit, your bank determines exactly when the money unlocks.

• Tangerine / PC Financial: Users consistently report seeing the GST deposit around 10:30 PM ET on the night before the payment date (e.g., Sunday night for a Monday payment).
• Koho / Neo: Early payroll features often unlock the GST up to 1 day early.
• RBC / TD / Scotiabank: Deposits process in the standard overnight batch, appearing between 3:00 AM and 6:00 AM local time on payment morning.
• BMO / CIBC: Often release funds closer to 12:01 AM local time, but this varies by account type.

The "Ghost" Deposit:

If you check your account at 12:01 AM and see nothing, wait. Most major banks (TD, CIBC) do not refresh their mobile app balances until after 3:00 AM.

The "19th Birthday" Rule

The GST credit has a strict age rule: You must be 19 years old to qualify.

However, there is a loophole that smart teenagers use to get paid faster.

• The Strategy: You do not have to wait until you are 19 to file taxes. You should file your taxes when you turn 18.
• The Payout: The CRA will automatically issue your first GST cheque on the first payment date after you turn 19.
• Example: If you turn 19 on March 15th, 2026, you will receive your first payment on April 2, 2026. If you wait until you are 19 to file, you might miss that April payment and have to wait until July.

Exception for Young Parents:

If you are under 19 but you are a parent living with your child, you qualify immediately. You do not have to wait for your 19th birthday.

Why Did My GST Payment Stop?

This is the #1 panic question we see in July. If your payment suddenly disappears, it is usually one of three reasons:

1. You Earned Too Much (The Cutoff)

The GST credit is for low/modest incomes. If your 2025 Net Income was too high, your benefit reduces to zero.

• Single Cutoff: Approx. $56,000+
• Couple (2 kids) Cutoff: Approx. $66,000+
• Note: These are estimates. The exact cutoff depends on your specific family size.

2. You Forgot to File Taxes

If the CRA does not have your 2025 tax return by late June, they will stop your July payment automatically.

• The Fix: File immediately. Once they process your return, they will issue a "retroactive" payment for the money you missed.

3. The "Marital Status" Letter

Sometimes the CRA puts a hold on your account because they suspect your marital status changed (e.g., you got married or moved in with someone).

• The Sign: You will receive a letter asking you to confirm your status.
• The Penalty: If you ignore this letter, they freeze ALL benefits, including CCB and GST.

Provincial "Stacking": Double Payment Weeks

In certain provinces, the federal GST date aligns closely with provincial benefit dates, creating "Double Pay Weeks" that can help you plan for larger expenses.

Ontario: The "5th and 10th" Combo

• Jan 5: Federal GST Payment.
• Jan 9 (Friday): Ontario Trillium Benefit.
• Result: Low-income Ontario residents get two cheques within 4 days of each other.

Alberta: The "February/May/August/November" Gap

• Alberta pays its Child and Family Benefit (ACFB) in Feb, May, Aug, and Nov.
• The GST pays in Jan, Apr, July, and Oct.
• Result: Low-income Alberta families get a "Quarterly Boost" almost every single month of the year (alternating between Federal GST and Provincial ACFB).

How to Apply for the GST Credit

The best part about the GST Credit? You do not need to apply.

• New Residents: If you are a newcomer to Canada (Permanent Resident, International Student, or Work Permit holder), you do need to fill out Form RC151 for your first year.
• Everyone Else: Just check the box on page 1 of your tax return that says "Are you applying for the GST/HST Credit?". (In most tax software, this is done automatically).

Newcomer Tip:

You are eligible for the GST credit the month after you become a resident of Canada. You do not need to wait a full year. If you landed in January, you could qualify for the April payment.

Need More Income?

If your quarterly GST cheque isn't enough to cover your expenses, you may need to look for immediate work opportunities.

👉 Find Daily Pay Jobs at BetterPayJobs.ca

About the Author

Jeff Calixte (MC Yow-Z) is a Canadian labour market researcher and digital entrepreneur specializing in government benefit data and cost-of-living support. As the founder of CanadaPaymentDates.ca and BetterPayJobs.ca, Jeff helps newcomers, students, and workers navigate the Canadian social safety net—from tracking CRA payment schedules to finding entry-level work.

Sources

1. Canada Revenue Agency (CRA): GST/HST Credit Payment Dates
2. CRA Calculation Sheets: GST/HST Credit - How much you can get
3. Financial Consumer Agency: Budgeting with Government Benefits

Note

Official 2026 payment dates and benefit amounts are determined by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and provincial governments. While we strive to keep this information current, government policies and schedules are subject to change without notice. All data in this guide is verified against official CRA circulars at the time of publication and should be treated as an estimate. We recommend confirming the status of your personal file directly via CRA My Account or by calling the CRA benefit line at 1-800-387-1193.