Benefits and credits you may get

Settling in Canada comes with financial responsibilities—but also financial advantages. When you file an income tax return with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), you unlock regular payments designed to help with living costs. The most valuable of these are the Canada Child Benefit, the GST/HST credit (now called the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit), and where you live, the Canada Carbon Rebate. This guide explains what each benefit is, how much you can receive, and how to get started.

Why File a Tax Return?

You may think you only need to file if you earned income or owe tax. In Canada, that is not the case. Filing a tax return every year—even if you earned nothing—is the only way to become eligible for federal and provincial benefit payments. Even more importantly, filing builds your tax history with CRA, which matters later if you apply for permanent residence, sponsorship, or citizenship. The deadline to file is April 30 of the year following the tax year. New arrivals who only lived in Canada for part of the year still must file if they want benefit payments. The sooner you file after arriving, the sooner payments begin.

Canada Child Benefit (CCB)

The Canada Child Benefit is a monthly, tax-free payment to families with children under 18. It is one of the most significant benefits available. The amount you receive depends on your family's adjusted family net income from the previous year and the number and ages of your children.

Who is eligible

You qualify if you are a Canadian resident for tax purposes and the child lives with you more than 60 percent of the time. You do not need to be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident—the requirement is residency for tax purposes. This includes temporary residents such as international students and work permit holders. If you have a spouse or common-law partner, you file jointly, and CRA calculates the benefit based on both incomes. In shared custody situations, if your child is with you 40 to 60 percent of the time, you may be eligible for part of the benefit.

Payment amounts

For the benefit year July 2025 to June 2026, the maximum amounts are $7,997 per year ($666 per month) for each child under 6 years old, and $6,748 per year ($562 per month) for each child aged 6 to 17. These are the maximums. As your family net income increases above approximately $37,487, the benefit is gradually reduced. The reduction happens at different rates depending on how many children you have. CRA recalculates your benefit every July based on the income reported in your tax return from the previous year.

Payments are deposited monthly, usually on the 20th of each month, directly to your bank account if you have set up direct deposit. You can enroll in direct deposit through CRA MyAccount or by phone.

How to apply

You do not need to fill out a separate application. When you file your income tax return, CRA automatically reviews your information and determines your eligibility. However, you must file your return every year to keep receiving payments. If your situation changes—for example, you have another child, your income changes significantly, or you are no longer the primary caregiver—inform CRA as soon as possible so your benefit amount can be adjusted.

GST/HST Credit and Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit

The GST/HST credit (renamed the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit as of July 2026) is a quarterly, tax-free payment for individuals and families with low to modest incomes. It helps offset the federal sales tax (Goods and Services Tax, or GST) or the harmonized sales tax (HST) that you pay in provinces where HST applies instead of GST and provincial sales tax.

Eligibility requirements

You must be a Canadian resident for tax purposes the month before and the month in which the CRA makes a payment. Generally, you must be at least 19 years old, though people under 19 may qualify if they have (or previously had) a spouse or common-law partner, or if they are a parent living with their child. You are eligible even if you had zero income during the year. The CRA will automatically consider you when you file your tax return.

Income thresholds and payment amounts

Your eligibility depends on your adjusted family net income. For the July 2025 to June 2026 payment period, the benefit phases out above roughly $45,521 of family net income. The maximum annual amounts are approximately $533 for a single person, $698 if you are married or in a common-law relationship, and $184 for each eligible child under 19. These amounts were increased by 25 percent starting in July 2026 as part of a transition to the new Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit. Payments are made four times a year, usually in early July, October, January, and April.

Canada Carbon Rebate

The Canada Carbon Rebate is a tax-free payment designed to help individuals and families offset the cost of the federal fuel charge (also called the federal pollution pricing). However, this rebate is not available everywhere in Canada, and as of March 2025, the federal rebate for individuals has been discontinued. Some provinces maintain their own carbon pricing and rebate systems, which work differently. If you live in a province with its own carbon program—such as British Columbia, Quebec, or others—your provincial government administers its own benefit, not the federal one.

Historically, the Canada Carbon Rebate was available in provinces and territories where the federal fuel charge applied, including Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador. Residents received quarterly payments. British Columbia, Quebec, and the territories with their own carbon pricing systems (Yukon and Northwest Territories) do not participate in the federal rebate but have their own provincial or territorial programs. Check your provincial government website to see what carbon pricing or rebate programs exist in your province.

Provincial and Territorial Benefits

In addition to federal benefits, most provinces and territories offer their own benefit programs for residents. These vary widely by province and may include provincial child benefits, income supplements, property tax credits, childcare subsidies, and emergency assistance programs. Because these programs differ significantly, it is essential to learn what your province offers.

Finding provincial benefits

Start by visiting your provincial government website. Ontario residents can check Ontario.ca, British Columbia residents should visit gov.bc.ca, Alberta residents can go to Alberta.ca, and Quebec residents should consult quebec.ca. You can also use the CRA's Benefits Finder tool on Canada.ca to see a personalized list of federal and provincial benefits you may qualify for based on your income and family situation. Many provinces also include provincial benefit amounts with your federal GST/HST credit payment, so you receive everything together.

Common provincial programs

• Ontario: OHIP+ provides free prescriptions for residents under 25; the provincial Child Care Benefit helps with childcare costs; and income support programs assist those in financial hardship.
• British Columbia: The BC Climate Action Tax Credit provides support for low-income residents; BC also has its own provincial child benefit top-up.
• Alberta: Alberta offers property tax and rent assistance programs; the province has no provincial sales tax, which reduces overall living costs.
• Quebec: Quebec administers the lowest childcare fees in Canada (approximately $8.25 per day for eligible families); it also has provincial parental leave benefits and other family supports.
• Atlantic Provinces (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island): Each offers income assistance, property tax credits, and child benefits; eligibility often depends on provincial residency and income.

Many provincial programs require you to have filed a federal tax return, just like the federal benefits. Others may ask you to apply separately. Do not assume you are ineligible—take time to research what your province offers, especially if you have children or are on a tight budget.

How to Get Started

The first step is to file your income tax return, even if you earned no income. You will need a Social Insurance Number (SIN) from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). If you are a permanent resident (PR) or temporary resident with a valid work or study permit, you can apply for a SIN. The application is usually done in person at a Service Canada office, and the SIN is often issued the same day. International students and work permit holders are eligible to request a SIN.

Once you have your SIN, you can file your tax return. You have two main options: file online using CRA-certified software (often available for free through the Community Volunteer Program if your income is low), or hire a tax professional or tax clinic to help you. Many settlement organizations across Canada offer free tax preparation help for newcomers. On your first return, you will only report income earned after you arrived in Canada, but CRA may ask you to declare any income earned before arrival when you apply for benefits (using forms such as RC66 or RC151). This does not mean you pay additional tax on pre-arrival income, but CRA needs the information to calculate your benefit eligibility accurately.

Avoiding Scams

Benefit payments attract scammers. Be aware that CRA will never contact you by email, text, or voicemail to ask for personal information, passwords, or payment. CRA does not use irregular contact methods, threats, or requests to verify information via unsecured channels. If you receive a suspicious email or call claiming to be from CRA, do not click links or provide information. Hang up or delete the message, then contact CRA directly using the phone number on the official Canada.ca website. Be especially cautious if someone offers to help you file your return in exchange for a portion of your refund—many such services charge excessive fees or make errors that trigger audits.

Keep Your Records Updated

To receive your benefits without interruption, keep your information current with CRA. Report changes to your address, phone number, direct deposit account, marital status, number of dependents, or income as soon as they occur. If you move between provinces, update your provincial health card (such as OHIP in Ontario, MSP in British Columbia, or RAMQ in Quebec) and notify CRA of your new address. Do not wait until tax season to report these changes. The faster CRA has accurate information, the faster your benefits adjust, and the less likely you are to have overpayments that need to be repaid.