Are you a Canadian looking to know your GST Credit Eligibility? You’ve come to the right place!
To be eligible, you must be a resident of Canada for tax purposes and you or your spouse or common-law partner must:
- be 19 years of age or older
- have (or previously had) a spouse or common-law partner
- be a parent and live with at least one child who is under 19 years of age and for whom you receive the Child Tax Benefit
What Is The GST Tax Credit Anyways?
The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Credit is a tax-free payment that the Canadian government provides to low- and moderate-income individuals and families to help offset all or part of the GST or Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) they pay.
If you meet these requirements, you may be eligible for the GST Credit. However, your payment amount may vary depending on your income and family size.
What Payments Can One Get From The GST Tax Credit?
Here are the tables:
| Single | |||||
| Family net income ($) | No children ($/year) | 1 child ($/year) | 2 children ($/year) | 3 children ($/year) | 4 children ($/year) |
| Under $9,919 | $306 | $773 | $934 | $1,095 | $1,256 |
| $12,000 | $348 | $773 | $934 | $1,095 | $1,256 |
| $15,000 | $408 | $773 | $934 | $1,095 | $1,256 |
| $20,000 | $467 | $773 | $934 | $1,095 | $1,256 |
| $25,000 | $467 | $773 | $934 | $1,095 | $1,256 |
| $30,000 | $467 | $773 | $934 | $1,095 | $1,256 |
| $35,000 | $467 | $773 | $934 | $1,095 | $1,256 |
| $40,000 | $458 | $764 | $925 | $1,086 | $1,247 |
| $45,000 | $208 | $514 | $675 | $836 | $997 |
| $50,000 | $0 | $264 | $425 | $586 | $747 |
| $55,000 | $0 | $14 | $175 | $336 | $497 |
| $60,000 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $86 | $247 |
| $65,000 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Married or Common-law | |||||
| Family net income ($) | No children ($/year) | 1 child ($/year) | 2 children ($/year) | 3 children ($/year) | 4 children ($/year) |
| Under $39,826 | $612 | $773 | $934 | $1,095 | $1,256 |
| $40,000 | $603 | $764 | $925 | $1,086 | $1,247 |
| $45,000 | $353 | $514 | $675 | $836 | $997 |
| $50,000 | $103 | $264 | $425 | $586 | $747 |
| $55,000 | $0 | $14 | $175 | $336 | $497 |
| $60,000 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $86 | $247 |
| $65,000 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
There are a few other things to keep in mind when it comes to the GST Credit. If you’re married or living with a common-law partner, only one of you can receive the credit. The credit will be paid to the person whose return is assessed first. Additionally, if you’re eligible for the GST Credit and you’re also eligible for the Canada Child Benefit (CCB), you’ll automatically receive the GST Credit as part of your CCB payments.
How Do You Apply For The GST Credit?
If you’re already receiving the CCB, you don’t need to do anything. You’ll automatically receive the GST Credit as part of your CCB payments. If you’re not receiving the CCB, you’ll need to file a tax return to receive the GST Credit.
If you’re eligible for the GST Credit and you’ve never received it before, you’ll need to complete Form RC151, GST/HST Credit Application for Individuals Who Become Residents of Canada, and send it to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). That said, if you’re already receiving the GST Credit and your situation has changed (e.g. you got married, had a child, etc.), you’ll need to complete Form RC158, GST/HST Credit Application for Individuals and Their Spouses or Common-law Partners, and send it to the CRA.
It’s also worth mentioning that you can choose to have your GST Credit payments deposited directly into your savings account by signing up for the Direct Deposit service through the CRA. This is a convenient and secure way to receive your payments.
I hope this information has been helpful in understanding GST Credit eligibility in Canada.
