Key Highlights

  • Canadians who relied on the GST/HST Credit for tax-free quarterly support may have noticed a change in 2026.
  • The Canada Revenue Agency confirms the GST/HST credit is no longer available, having been replaced by a new and enhanced payment: the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB).
  • As part of the transition, the CRA issued a one-time GST/HST credit top-up on June 5, 2026, paid to about 12 million eligible Canadians.
  • The GST/HST credit, a familiar tax-free quarterly payment for lower-income households, is now no longer available.

Canadians who relied on the GST/HST credit for tax-free quarterly support may have noticed a change in 2026. The Canada Revenue Agency confirms the GST/HST credit is no longer available, having been replaced by a new and enhanced payment: the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB). If you previously received the GST/HST credit, understanding this shift matters, because the CGEB now delivers that support with more money attached. Here is what happened, what replaced it and what it means for your payments.

What Happened to the GST/HST Credit

The GST/HST credit, a familiar tax-free quarterly payment for lower-income households, is now no longer available. It was replaced by the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit, which took effect in July 2026. As part of the transition, the CRA issued a one-time GST/HST credit top-up on June 5, 2026, paid to about 12 million eligible Canadians. That payment helped bridge the move from the old credit to the new benefit.

What Replaced It: The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit

The CGEB is built directly on the former GST/HST credit, but with a 25% increase. It is tax-free and paid quarterly to individuals and families with low-to-modest income. The government has committed to the enhanced benefit for five years, from 2026 to 2031, amounting to $8.6 billion in additional support over that period. For the base year running July 2026 to June 2027, maximum amounts reach up to $679 for a single individual, up to $890 for a married or common-law couple, and up to $234 per eligible child under 19. The next quarterly CGEB payment is scheduled for October 5, 2026.

How Much Canadians Could Receive

Because the CGEB replaces and enhances the GST/HST credit, eligible recipients generally receive more than before. Including the one-time June 2026 top-up, the government cited example maximums for this year of up to $1,890 for an eligible family of four and up to $950 for an eligible single person. Looking ahead, the benefit is described as roughly $1,400 per year for a family of four and about $700 per year for a single person over the next four years. These are maximum and example amounts, not sums everyone automatically receives. The Department of Finance offered one illustration: a couple with two children and $40,000 in Net Income received a one-time top-up of $533 plus a $272 annual increase for 2026-27.

What You Need to Do

The change requires no application for most people. Just as with the former GST/HST credit, filing your income tax return means the CRA automatically considers you for the CGEB and calculates your amount based on your adjusted family net income, marital status and number of eligible children under 19. Filing a return every year is generally required to keep receiving income-tested benefits, and where you have a spouse or common-law partner, both must file. Setting up direct deposit through CRA My Account ensures payments arrive on schedule.

Conclusion

The GST/HST credit has been replaced by the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit, an enhanced, tax-free quarterly payment carrying a 25% increase and running through 2031. A one-time top-up landed on June 5, 2026, and the next CGEB payment is due October 5, 2026. Amounts are maximums that depend on income and circumstances, so filing your taxes remains essential to keep the support flowing.