Every year, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) adjusts many of its benefit programs to match inflation, based on the country’s consumer-price index.
For 2026, the GST/HST Credit will go up by 2 %, a modest yet meaningful boost (the previous year saw a 2.7 % rise).
This adjustment is intended to help Canadians keep pace with rising costs in essentials like food, housing, transport and other everyday expenses.
2026–2027: How Much Could You Receive?
For the benefit year starting July 2026, maximum payments under the GST/HST Credit are increasing:
- Up to US $356 per eligible adult (up from US $349 in 2025)
- US $187 per eligible child under 19 (previously US $184)
- US $187 extra for single individuals who qualify for the supplement (up from US $184)
Example: A two-parent family with two children could get up to US $1,086 over a year — roughly US $271.50 every quarter.
For a single person without children (who qualifies), the full annual amount could reach US $543.
Actual payments depend on household income, number of dependents and other eligibility factors.
Who Qualifies — And How Income Affects Your Credit
Eligibility for the credit in 2026–2027 depends on information from your 2025 tax return: adjusted family net income, family status (single, married/common-law, number of dependents), and number of eligible children.
The GST/HST Credit is aimed at low- and modest-income households. As income rises, the benefit gradually diminishes.
To help more families retain some support, CRA has also raised the income thresholds for 2026.
- For families: payments begin to phase out once net income exceeds US $46,432.
- For a typical family of four, the benefit would disappear once household income reaches about US $68,152.
- For single individuals: the threshold to qualify for the extra supplement is set at US $11,564.
If your income goes over the threshold, the benefit is reduced by 5% of the excess income.
For instance — if household income surpasses the threshold by US $4,000, the annual credit gets trimmed by US $200.
When Payments Will Be Made in 2026
You don’t need to re-apply each year — once you file your taxes, the CRA automatically assesses your eligibility and issues GST/HST Credit payments either by direct deposit or cheque.
The confirmed payment schedule for 2026 is:
- January 5, 2026
- April 2, 2026
- July 3, 2026
- October 5, 2026
Note: Typically, payments are sent on the 5th of January, April, July and October — but if the 5th lands on a weekend or a holiday, payments are adjusted to the previous business day.
Why This Increase Matters
Even a 2% bump may seem small — but for households living paycheck to paycheck or with fixed incomes, every extra dollar helps. The increase comes at a time when essentials like groceries, rent, utilities and transportation remain costly.
Quarterly credits from the GST/HST benefit offer a reliable cushion for modest-income families and individuals, especially as inflation still affects daily expenses.
With updated income thresholds, some Canadians who might have lost eligibility after a small pay raise will now continue to qualify — ensuring the credit remains a steady support.
The 2026 increase in the GST/HST Credit may not be dramatic — but it underlines the importance of small, steady reliefs in tough economic times.
By indexing benefits to inflation and adjusting income thresholds, the CRA aims to protect modest-income Canadians from rising living costs.
The credit offers regular, quarterly support — making a meaningful difference for individuals and families trying to stretch every dollar.
If you file your 2025 taxes and meet eligibility criteria, now is a good time to check whether you qualify — and how much extra support you could receive in 2026.
FAQs
1. Do I need to apply separately to get the GST/HST Credit in 2026?
No — you don’t. Once you submit your 2025 tax return, the CRA automatically assesses your eligibility and issues the credit if you qualify.
2. Is the GST/HST Credit taxable income?
No — the benefit is non-taxable, so you receive the full amount without tax deductions.
3. What happens if my income increases slightly above the threshold?
If your family net income exceeds the eligible limit, the credit is gradually reduced by 5% of the amount over the threshold. Partial credits may still be possible depending on how far above the threshold you are.