GST Payments in Canada 2026 | BRS Solutions
A clear guide to GST and CGEB payments in Canada 2026 — and how BRS Solutions can help.
BRS Solutions (647) 365-3013 info@brssolutions.com
Tax & Benefits · Canada
GST Payment Canada 2026: Dates, Amounts, Eligibility and the New CGEB
A direct guide to what changed in 2026, who qualifies, when payments arrive and how much you can expect to receive.
What are GST payments and who qualifies in 2026 is one of the most common questions Canadians ask — and the answer changed significantly this year. The GST/HST credit was replaced by a new benefit, with new amounts and new payment dates.
At BRS Solutions, we help Brazilians, Portuguese speakers and other individuals and families across Canada (excluding Quebec) understand exactly what applies to them — with full CRA compliance, tax filing and benefits support, in person in Toronto/North York or online across the country.
Quick Answer
For individuals: the GST/HST credit was replaced by the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB) in July 2026. Payments are now 25% higher, scheduled for July 3 and October 5, 2026 — plus January and April 2027. No application required if you already file your taxes.
Understanding GST
What Are GST Payments in Canada?
GST stands for Goods and Services Tax. In Ontario, GST is combined with the provincial portion and charged as HST (Harmonized Sales Tax) at 13%. For individuals and families, however, “GST payments” refers to the tax-free quarterly benefit paid by the CRA.
| Situation | What It Means | Who It Applies To |
|---|---|---|
| GST benefit for individuals | A quarterly tax-free payment from the CRA — now the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB) | Individuals and families with low or modest income who file a tax return |
New in 2026
The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB)
Starting July 2026, the GST/HST credit was officially replaced by the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit. The structure remains the same — quarterly tax-free payments — but amounts are now 25% higher than the old GST/HST credit, locked in by legislation through 2031.
The CGEB is built from three components, stacked before any income phase-out:
- Adult base amount: $445/year per eligible adult ($111.25 per quarter)
- Single supplement: up to $234/year for childless singles — phases in between $11,564 and $25,000 in adjusted family net income
- Child amount: $234/year for each eligible child under 19
CGEB Maximum Payment Amounts — 2026–27 Benefit Year
| Household Type | Annual Maximum | Per Quarterly Payment |
|---|---|---|
| Single individual | up to $679 | up to $169.75 |
| Couple, no children | $890 | $222.50 |
| Single parent, 1 child | up to $1,124 | up to $281.00 |
| Couple, 2 children | up to $1,358 | up to $339.50 |
| Couple, 4 children | up to $1,826 | up to $456.50 |
| Based on the 2025 tax return (2026–27 benefit year). Benefits phase out above approximately $46,432 in adjusted family net income. Source: CRA official CGEB payments chart, 2026. | ||
Payment Dates
2026 GST and CGEB Payment Dates
| Date | Payment Type | Based On |
|---|---|---|
| January 5, 2026 | GST/HST credit (quarterly) | 2024 tax return |
| April 2, 2026 | GST/HST credit (quarterly) | 2024 tax return |
| June 5, 2026 | One-time CGEB top-up | 2024 tax return |
| July 3, 2026 | CGEB — first quarterly payment | 2025 tax return |
| October 5, 2026 | CGEB — second quarterly payment | 2025 tax return |
| January 2027 | CGEB — third quarterly payment | 2025 tax return |
| April 2027 | CGEB — fourth quarterly payment | 2025 tax return |
| Source: Canada.ca — CGEB payment dates. If annual entitlement is under $50, the CRA pays the full amount as a lump sum in July. | ||
Why filing your taxes matters: the July and October 2026 payments are calculated from your 2025 tax return. If your 2025 return was not filed, the CRA cannot calculate your entitlement and you may miss payments you were entitled to receive.
Who Qualifies
Eligibility for the CGEB
No separate application is required for most people. The CRA automatically determines eligibility and payment amount based on your annual tax return — even if your income was zero. To be eligible, you generally need to:
- Be a resident of Canada for tax purposes
- Be 19 years of age or older — or have a spouse, common-law partner, or child
- Have an adjusted family net income below the phase-out threshold (~$46,432 for 2026–27)
- File your annual income tax return — even if you have no income to report
Newcomers to Canada
If you recently became a resident of Canada and have not yet filed your first tax return, you may be able to apply by submitting Form RC151 to the CRA. Once you begin filing tax returns, you must continue to file annually to remain eligible for future payments. BRS Solutions can help you complete this process correctly.
What Causes Problems
Common Mistakes That Cause Missed Payments
Not Filing a Tax Return
Without a filed return, the CRA cannot calculate your entitlement, even if your income was zero. Filing every year, including zero-income returns, is the single most important step to keep benefits active.
Outdated Personal Information
Old address, banking, marital status or custody details registered with the CRA can delay or misdirect payments. Any life change should be updated in CRA My Account as soon as it happens.
Ignoring CRA Debt
If you owe money to the CRA, your CGEB payment may be applied to that balance before reaching your account. Reviewing your CRA account and organizing outstanding balances is often what unblocks future payments.
Not sure why your payment didn’t arrive?
BRS Solutions reviews your situation and helps you organize the next step — in Portuguese or English.
Preparation
What to Have Ready Before You Call Us
- Whether you receive CRA benefits — and which ones
- Your last filed tax return — or whether it was filed at all
- Your current banking information registered with the CRA
- Whether your address, marital status or family situation changed recently
- Your specific concern — missed payment, late filing, CRA letter or tax organization
“The real cost isn’t not knowing about the CGEB — it’s not filing the tax return that would have qualified you for it.”
For the Brazilian & Portuguese-Speaking Community in Canada
Many individuals in our community are eligible for the CGEB and other CRA benefits, but do not receive them because their tax return was never filed — or was filed with incomplete information.
BRS Solutions explains exactly what applies to your situation, in Portuguese, so you can make decisions with the same confidence you’d have at home.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the GST/HST credit still available in 2026?
The GST/HST credit was replaced by the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB) starting in July 2026. Eligibility rules and payment structure remain the same, but amounts are now 25% higher. The January and April 2026 payments were issued under the old GST/HST credit name. From July 2026 onward, all payments are issued under the CGEB.
How much will I receive from the CGEB in 2026?
It depends on your income, marital status and number of children. Maximum annual amounts for 2026–27 are approximately $679 for a single individual, $890 for a couple with no children, and up to $1,358 for a couple with two children. Payments phase out above approximately $46,432 in adjusted family net income.
Do I need to apply for the CGEB?
No. For most people, no application is needed — the CRA automatically determines eligibility from your filed tax return. New residents to Canada are an exception and must submit Form RC151 before their first return is filed.
What was the June 5 GST payment?
The June 5, 2026 payment was a one-time transitional top-up equal to 50% of the annual GST/HST credit you were entitled to for July 2025 to June 2026. It was separate from and in addition to the regular quarterly CGEB payments that started July 3, 2026.
Can BRS Solutions help me organize my taxes and CRA situation?
Yes. BRS Solutions supports Brazilian, Portuguese-speaking and other individuals and business owners in Canada with bookkeeping, income tax, CRA account organization, GST/HST and benefit eligibility reviews — in person in Toronto/North York or remotely across Canada (excluding Quebec).
References & Sources
Information Sources
This article draws on official Canadian government sources. Always confirm your specific situation with a qualified professional.
Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit — Canada.ca
CGEB Payment Dates — Canada.ca
CGEB Launch — Department of Finance Canada
Form RC151 — CRA
Get Your Taxes and CRA Benefits Sorted
BRS Solutions helps you understand exactly what applies to you — and takes care of the organization from there. In person in Toronto/North York or online across Canada.
Toronto / North York · Online service across Canada (excluding Quebec) · English & Português
