The Canada Revenue Agency will deliver a one-time payment worth 50% of the annual GST/HST credit on 5 June 2026, ahead of transitioning to an enhanced benefit program that increases quarterly payments by 25% over five years.
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) announced on 17 April 2026 that eligible Canadians will receive a one-time GST/HST credit top-up on 5 June 2026. The payment is part of the transition to the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit, which will replace the GST/HST credit in July 2026. This top-up will be equal to 50% of the GST/HST credit for the 2025-26 benefit year.
Starting 3 July 2026, the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit will be offering higher payment amounts while keeping the eligibility and structure of the GST/HST credit. Quarterly payments will increase by 25% for the next five years.
Together, the one time and quarterly payments will offer ongoing financial support to more than 12 million recipients.
- A family of four could receive up to CAD 1,890 in 2026, including the top-up.
- A single person could receive up to CAD 950 in 2026, including the top-up.
Since 2020, food prices have risen faster than overall inflation, costing the average household CAD 782. The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit will help offset increased grocery bills beyond the inflation rate.
Who is Eligible?
If you (and your spouse if you have one) filed your 2024 tax return and were entitled to the GST/HST credit in January 2026, you should get the one-time top-up payment on June 5. This payment may still be called the GST/HST credit in your account.
Quick Facts
- The one-time GST/HST credit payment is based on information from your 2024 tax return.
- The GST/HST credit will be renamed the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit on 3 July 2026.
- The quarterly Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit payments, which start on 3 July, will be based on information from your 2025 tax return.
- Examples of how the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit will be issued:
- A family of four with a CAD 40,000 in net income will receive a one-time top-up of CAD 533 on 5 June, plus an increase of CAD 272 for the 2026-27 benefit year (total increase of CAD 805).
- A single person with CAD 25,000 in net income will receive a one-time top-up on 5 June of CAD 267 plus a longer-term increase of CAD 136 for the 2026-27 benefit year (total increase of CAD 402).
Additional Affordability Measures
The Prime Minister also announced that as of 20 April 2026, federal fuel excise tax rates would be temporarily reduced to zero cents per litre. This temporary suspension would apply to gasoline, unleaded aviation gasoline, diesel fuel, and aviation fuel for which the tax became payable after 19 April 2026, such as gasoline or diesel fuel delivered by a manufacturer or producer to a purchaser, or sold by a licensed wholesaler or imported into Canada after that day. This temporary suspension would remain in effect until and including 7 September 2026.
This measure will save Canadians 10 cents per litre on gasoline. This will be lower gas prices, giving much needed relief to Canadian families.
