The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is an organization called to give a rebate or credit under the GST/HST system, mainly for low-income individuals and families. The idea is to try to lessen the burden of GST/HST by rebating on a partial basis of the amount paid. This rebate is on a quarterly basis, so every eligible recipient gets their portion every three months. For instance, the base rebate for a qualified single person starts at CAD 519, whereas couples receive bigger payments.
Who Is Eligible?
There are some eligibility criteria you must meet in order to receive this GST/HST rebate:
- Be a resident of Canada.
- Be 19 years or older, or under 19 and dependant in some way.
- File your taxes in time and declare your income. It must be under certain limits so that the rebate is paid to lower-income households.
If you share custody for your children, the marital status and number of children will also weigh in on the rebate you get.
How Much Will You Get?
Following are the examples of the rebate amount depending on family situation and circumstances:
- Single individual – $519
- Married/Couple – $680
- Child (under 19) – $179 per child
These payments attempt to give consumers a little breath amid the rising cost of living and heavy taxation on essentials.
When Are The Payments Made?
Rebate payments are made in four installments throughout the year by the CRA. The dates for payments in 2025 shall be:
- January 3, 2025
- April 4, 2025
- July 4, 2025
- October 3, 2025.
If you qualify, your funds will hit your bank account on or about these dates.
Further Rebate: New Housing
Alongside the general GST/HST rebate, there is the new housing rebate available to persons who have bought or substantially renovated a home. This is probably more commonly referred to as the New Housing Rebate, which may be available in some cases to a first-time homebuyer for some or all of the GST/HST paid on the new or substantially renovated home.
Whether or not one is eligible for the housing rebate is dependent upon some considerations as to whether the housing is new or has been substantially renovated and whether the purchaser is a first-time homebuyer. Other considerations that come into play as far as what qualifies are usually related to the value of the home and whether there is a purchase agreement.
Key Points To Verify / What To Watch
- Confirm the exact income thresholds for rebate eligibility, as “low income” is a relative term and varies by province.
- Confirm whether the amounts quoted (e.g., $519, $680) have been adjusted for the most recent inflation adjustments and CRA changes.
- Confirm the first-time home buyer definition and conditions for the housing rebate.
- Confirm if there are any provincial rules or rebates on top of the federal ones.
Also Read: New Minimum Wages in Canada – Provinces Wise New Rates, Eligibility & Payment Dates