The GST/HST credit is a tax-free payment that is paid quarterly by the Canada Revenue Agency; it is for the individual with low and modest income and families, offsetting the cost of Goods and Services Tax or Harmonized Sales Tax.
The Government of Canada releases the GST/HST credit payment to help the eligible Canadians financially. The first two payments in 2025 are going to be the same as the previous one, and the last two will be received with an expected increase of 2.7%.
Millions of Canadians get this benefit; if you are one among those, you are hereby notified the CRA has announced the payment dates for the upcoming year. Read this article to check when they will release the payment through the direct deposit or paper check in 2026.
What’s the 2026 GST/HST Credit Payout Schedule?
The CRA will release the GST/HST Credit payment for a total of four times in 2026; they will be sent out in January, April, July, and October. Refer to the listed points to check the exact date for each above-mentioned month.
- January 2026 – January 5, 2026
- April 2026 – April 2, 2026
- July 2026 – July 3, 2026
- October 2026 – October 5, 2026
Once the direct deposit for the GST/HST Credit is released, it is received in the bank account within 4 hours, but in the case of a paper check, the recipient has to wait for 3 days.
Note that in case of any technical error, the payment can be delayed by 3 days or even more, and if there will be any workload, you have to wait for 7 more days.
What to do to get the 2026 GST/HST Credit without any delay?
The best option for receiving payments without delay is to choose the gateway via direct deposit. If you’ve already selected direct deposit to receive this benefit, you don’t need to do anything; all your incoming payments will be received on time and very easily.
If you receive these payments via paper check through the Canada Revenue Agency, a better option is to switch to direct deposit. The advantage of switching is that you won’t have to wait a long week to receive your payment; you’ll receive it immediately upon release.
What if the 2026 GST/HST Credit payment is delayed?
After the release of the GST/HST credit payment by the Canada Revenue Agency, it takes time to be received depending on the payment method. If you do not receive the payment within the due time, there is no need to worry in this situation. First of all, you should contact the CRA to get the reason for the delay.
The Canada Revenue Agency delays or holds GST/HST credit payments when there is a problem with the eligibility of the receipt. If you are asked for documentation after contacting the CRA, please provide it. Once they have verified your eligibility requirements, your payment will be received by you.
Who is eligible to get the GST/HST credit in 2026?
To receive the GST/HST credit in 2026, you must continue to meet the eligibility requirements. The factors that determine eligibility are income, marital status, and number of children. To receive this benefit in the year 2025, you must have filed your return for your most recent year.
To receive this payment, you must be at least 19 years old. Even if you’re younger, you can still receive a payment if you’re married or have a child. Most importantly, your AFNI should not exceed the threshold. If it’s above the limit, you’ll not receive the full benefit, but if it’s significantly higher, you won’t receive even a single penny.
Disclaimer: 2026 GST/HST payment details are for informational purposes only. Confirm dates and eligibility with the CRA.