Introduction: The ever-rising inflation and cost of living in Canada has made the financial situation of millions of families challenging. In such a situation, the GST/HST credit scheme offered by the government is a ray of relief for those who come from the low or middle income group. This credit provided by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) not only reduces the burden of taxes but also directly delivers cash assistance to people’s pockets.
In June 2025, the CRA will once again pay the GST/HST credit, with updated amounts, deposit dates, and eligibility criteria. Let us understand every aspect of this scheme in detail through this article.
What is GST/HST Credit?
GST and HST are taxes applied in Canada on the purchase of every day goods and services. It is collected from all consumers; however, the government provides for tax-free reimbursement, in the form of GST/HST Credit, for low and middle-income groups to shield them from the effects of such taxes.
This credit is given four times a year (on a quarterly basis) – in January, April, July (this year in June), and October. It is a direct cash payment that the CRA transfers to your bank account.
June 2025 Deposit Date
According to the CRA, the GST/HST Credit will be distributed on the following date in June 2025:
June 14, 2025 (Saturday), If you have enrolled for Direct Deposit, the amount will be automatically transferred to your bank account. Otherwise, you will be sent a check by mail, which may be delayed by a few days.
Eligibility Rules
There are certain eligibility criteria to receive the GST/HST credit which are set by the CRA:
Net Income Threshold
- For single individuals: Annual income less than approximately $50,000
- For married couples/families: Net income within approximately $60,000–$65,000
- Important: Eligibility will be determined based on your 2023 tax return.
Age Limit
- You must be at least 19 years old to get financial aid at HCT.
- If you are under 19 years old but are married or are a parent of a child, you will still be allowed to apply for financial aid.
Tax Return Filing
- Even if you have zero income, filing your 2023 tax return is mandatory
- This allows the CRA to determine if you are eligible for the GST/HST credit
- In order to apply for the unemployment programs in Manitoba, the applicant should be a Canadian citizen or hold a SIN issued by the Government.
Do I need to reapply?
No, if you filed your 2023 tax return and have your bank account information with the CRA, you don’t need to make a new application. The payment will be automatically deposited into your account in June 2025.
Just remember:
- Your address, marital status and banking information must be up to date
- You can check by logging into MyAccount on the CRA website
What can you do with CRA “MyAccount”?
The CRA’s MyAccount service allows citizens to self-monitor their payments, eligibility, and other tax-related information.
You can:
- Check upcoming and past payment dates
- Set up or update Direct Deposit
- Check the status of your tax filing and benefits
- Login: www.canada.ca/my-account
What if I haven’t received a payment?
If you don’t receive your payment by June 14, 2025:
- Check the status by logging into MyAccount on the CRA website
- Direct Deposit may be a mistake or banking error
- It will take approximately 5 to 10 local business days for you to have a check hit the mail
- Talk to the agency if you did not receive the payment
How to use this payment wisely?
Small amounts like these, when used wisely, can be a big relief:
- Paying monthly rent or utility bills
- Saving for children’s education (RESP)
- Paying off credit card bills or loans
- Grocery shopping during inflation
- Adding to an emergency savings fund
How is the GST/HST credit calculated?
The GST/HST credit is an income-based tax-free payment. The calculation is based on information on your tax return, including:
- Net Income: This appears on Line 23600 on your tax return. If your income is too high, the amount of the credit decreases and stops after a certain point.
- Family Size: The more children and the number of people in your unit, the more money you can get.
- For example, a single person will get a smaller amount, but a couple with two children will qualify for a larger amount.
- Recalculation or Adjustments: If your income or marital status changes in the middle of a tax year, the CRA may recalculate the credit in between.
- Rounding and cut-offs: Sometimes very small calculated amounts (such as $2 or $5) are added directly to the next payment or may be omitted.
Other CRA benefits that can be added with GST/HST
In addition to the GST/HST credit, the CRA can also allow you to claim several other benefits if you file your tax returns correctly:
- Canada Child Benefit (CCB): If you have children under 18, you may also be eligible for this monthly payment.
- Canada Carbon Rebate (formerly Climate Action Incentive): This is a quarterly payment to you for climate change-related tax relief.
- Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB): If you live in Ontario, these benefits link to provincial GST, property tax and energy relief All of these benefits also require filing a tax return to qualify, even if you have zero income.
Who won’t get the GST/HST credit?
Not everyone is eligible. CRA has also mentioned some prohibited situations:
- If you have not filed your 2023 tax return
- If you are not a resident of Canada
- If you do not have a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN)
- If your income is above the cut-off limit set by the CRA
- If you are in prison or institutionalized for a long time
- If you have been declared deceased since the time the payment was scheduled
How to make the most of the scheme?
Of course, $250 or $300 may not seem like a huge amount, but if you use it strategically, it can help you in your financial stability:
- Add to emergency savings – for unexpected expenses
- Invest in children’s education fund (RESP)
- Use for credit card/loan payments
- Budget for grocery/utility bills
Conclusion:
GST/HST credit is one of the policies of the Canadian government that plays an active role in reducing economic inequality. This payment, which will be received in June 2025, will definitely bring some relief to your monthly budget If you have not filed your 2023 tax return yet – do not delay. This is not only the way to get GST/HST credit, but also forms the basis for eligibility for other benefits.
FAQs
Q1. What is the GST/HST Credit in Canada?
A. The GST/HST Credit is a tax-free quarterly payment provided by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) to low- and modest-income individuals and families to help offset the GST or HST they pay on goods and services.
Q2. When will the June 2025 GST/HST Credit be paid?
A. The payment is scheduled for June 14, 2025. It will be deposited directly into recipients’ bank accounts or sent by mail as a cheque.
Q3. How much will I receive in June 2025?
A. The amount varies based on your income, marital status, and number of eligible children. For the 2025–2026 benefit year, estimated maximum amounts
Q4. Do I need to apply separately for the GST/HST Credit?
A. No separate application is required. You only need to file your 2023 tax return (even if you have no income) to be assessed for eligibility.
Q6. What if I didn’t receive my June 2025 GST/HST Credit?
A. If you haven’t received your payment by June 21, 2025, check your CRA MyAccount or call CRA at 1-800-387-1193 for assistance.
