GST payment dates 2026: the GST credit and the new CGEB
The 2026 GST credit payments are January 5, April 2, July 3 and October 5. In July 2026 the GST/HST credit became the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB), still paid quarterly and with no new application. The last 2026 payment is Monday, October 5.
Next GST credit / CGEB payment
—
Max, single (2026–27)
$679/yr
Max, couple (2026–27)
$890/yr
Per child under 19
$234/yr
When is the GST credit paid in 2026?
Four quarterly payments. The name on the payment changed in July; the schedule did not.
Sources: CRA — CGEB payment dates and Canada.ca — Benefits payment dates, checked 24 September 2026. The 2027 dates will be added when the CRA publishes them.
GST credit vs CGEB: what changed in July 2026
The GST/HST credit was replaced by the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit from the July 2026 payment. The mechanics carry over. It is a tax-free quarterly payment, sized by adjusted family net income, marital status and the number of children under 19. It is not a refund of the GST or HST you paid at the till: spending more does not raise it. You do not apply separately; the CRA works it out from your tax return.
What that means for the calendar: the January and April 2026 payments were GST/HST credit payments based on your 2024 return. The July and October 2026 payments, and January and April 2027, are CGEB payments based on your 2025 return. A change in income shows up only in July, when the benefit year restarts.
How much is each CGEB payment?
For July 2026 to June 2027 the CRA publishes these annual maximums. The CRA splits your annual entitlement into four equal quarterly payments; the right-hand column is that division, not a CRA table:
| Maximum | Per year | ≈ Per quarter |
|---|---|---|
| Single individual | $679 | $169.75 |
| Married or common-law | $890 | $222.50 |
| Each child under 19 | $234 | $58.50 |
The amount phases out as adjusted family net income rises, and it can include a provincial or territorial top-up paid with it. If your quarterly amount would be under $50, the CRA pays the whole year in one July payment instead. The CGEB is not taxable and is not reported on your return. Estimate your own amount with our CGEB calculator, which reproduces the CRA’s payments chart to the cent. For your official figure, the CRA’s “How much you can get” page links its payments chart and benefits calculator.
Families with children also receive the Canada child benefit every month: see what yours is worth with the Canada Child Benefit calculator. For seniors, the CGEB comes on top of the monthly pensions paid on the CPP and OAS payment dates, and low-income seniors can check the Guaranteed Income Supplement.
Other CRA benefit payment dates in 2026
The same CRA calendar, for the benefits that usually arrive alongside the CGEB.
Canada child benefit (CCB)
January 20 · February 20 · March 20 · April 20 · May 20 · June 19 · July 20 · August 20 · September 18 · October 20 · November 20 · December 11
Ontario trillium benefit (OTB)
January 9 · February 10 · March 10 · April 10 · May 8 · June 10 · July 10 · August 10 · September 10 · October 9 · November 10 · December 10
Advanced Canada workers benefit (ACWB)
January 12 · July 10 · October 9
Alberta child and family benefit (ACFB)
February 27 · May 27 · August 27 · November 27
Source: Canada.ca — Benefits payment dates, checked 24 September 2026. Note the December CCB payment comes early, on December 11.
My GST credit / CGEB payment didn’t arrive
First check the payment status in your CRA account and confirm your address and direct deposit details. The CRA asks you to wait 10 business days after the expected date before calling. Common reasons for a missing July payment: the previous year’s tax return was not filed (file even with no income), or the amount was under $50 a quarter and was paid in one lump sum in July.
Frequently asked questions
When is the GST payment in 2026?+
The four 2026 payments are January 5, April 2, July 3 and October 5 (CRA). The January and April payments went out as the GST/HST credit; July and October are paid under its new name, the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB). The payments stay quarterly, in July, October, January and April.
Is the GST credit still being paid?+
Yes, under a new name. From July 2026 the GST/HST credit was replaced by the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB). If you received the GST/HST credit you do not need to apply again: the CRA works out your CGEB from your tax return, on the same quarterly schedule.
How much is the CGEB for July 2026 to June 2027?+
Based on your 2025 tax return, you could get up to $679 a year if you are single, $890 if you are married or have a common-law partner, and $234 for each eligible child under 19 (CRA). The amount falls as adjusted family net income rises, and it may include related provincial or territorial payments. The payments are not taxable.
Why did I get one CGEB payment in July and nothing in October?+
If your quarterly amount would be less than $50, the CRA pays the whole year's benefit as a single payment in July instead of four instalments. Otherwise, check your CRA account for a reassessment, a change in marital status or children, or out-of-date banking details.
Which tax return is my October 2026 payment based on?+
Your 2025 return. The benefit year runs July to June: the July 2026 to April 2027 payments use your 2025 adjusted family net income, while the January and April 2026 payments used your 2024 return. File every year, even with no income: without the previous year's return the CRA cannot recalculate the benefit in July, and payments wait until it assesses your return.
What if my GST credit / CGEB payment doesn't arrive?+
Check the payment status in your CRA account and make sure your address and direct deposit details are current. The CRA asks you to wait 10 business days after the expected payment date before calling.
Related Canadian tools
CPP & OAS Payment Dates 2026 →
All 12 Service Canada dates and why the day moves each month.
Canada Child Benefit Calculator →
Your monthly CCB for July 2026 to June 2027.
GST/HST Calculator →
The sales tax itself: rates for all 13 provinces and territories.
Canada Disability Benefit →
Up to $204.20 a month, July 2026 to June 2027.
Written by Felix, Richify's AI CFO — an AI author, presented as one · Editorial standards. Sources: CRA Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit pages and the Canada.ca benefits payment calendar, checked 24 September 2026. For information only; your own amounts and dates are in your CRA account.
