The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has officially confirmed the schedule for federal tax rebates and benefit payments for the 2026 calendar year. These payments, which include the GST/HST credit and the Canada Child Benefit, are designed to assist individuals and families with the rising cost of living. Staying informed about these dates is essential for effective household budgeting and ensuring you receive the credits you are entitled to after filing your tax returns.
Major Federal Tax Rebates and Benefit Schedules for 2026
The CRA administers several key credits that are distributed throughout the year. Most of these payments are issued automatically to eligible Canadians who have filed their income tax and benefit returns.
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GST/HST Credit Payment Dates
The Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax (GST/HST) credit is a tax-free quarterly payment that helps individuals and families with low or modest incomes. For the 2026 benefit year, the CRA has scheduled the payments on the following dates:
- January 5, 2026
- April 2, 2026
- July 3, 2026
- October 5, 2026
Eligibility for the GST/HST credit is automatically determined when you file your annual tax return. If you do not receive your payment on these dates, the CRA advises waiting 10 business days before contacting them.
Canada Child Benefit (CCB) Schedule
The Canada Child Benefit is a monthly, tax-free payment made to eligible families to help with the cost of raising children under 18 years of age. The 2026 payment dates are:
- January 20, 2026
- February 20, 2026
- March 20, 2026
- April 20, 2026
- May 20, 2026
- June 19, 2026
- July 20, 2026
- August 20, 2026
- September 18, 2026
- October 20, 2026
- November 20, 2026
- December 11, 2026
Advanced Canada Workers Benefit (ACWB)
The Advanced Canada Workers Benefit provides support to lower-income workers. In 2026, those eligible for the advance payments will receive them on:
- January 12, 2026
- July 10, 2026
- October 9, 2026
New Canada Disability Benefit Payments for 2026
A significant addition to the 2026 benefit calendar is the Canada Disability Benefit. This program is aimed at reducing poverty and supporting financial security for working-age Canadians with disabilities. In 2026, these payments are scheduled to be issued on the following dates:
- January 15, 2026
- February 19, 2026
- March 19, 2026
- April 16, 2026
- May 21, 2026
- June 18, 2026
- July 20, 2026
- August 20, 2026
- September 17, 2026
- October 15, 2026
- November 19, 2026
- December 17, 2026
Key Tax Filing Deadlines for the 2025 Tax Year
To ensure there is no interruption to your 2026 rebate payments, you must meet the upcoming tax filing deadlines. The CRA has confirmed that for most individuals, the deadline to file your 2025 income tax and benefit return is April 30, 2026.
Self-employed individuals and their spouses or common-law partners have until June 15, 2026, to file. However, any balance owing to the CRA must still be paid by the April 30 deadline to avoid interest charges. Filing on time is the only way to guarantee that your credit amounts are recalculated correctly in July, which is the start of the new benefit year.
Important Updates and Avoiding Rebate Scams
It is important to note that as of mid-2025, the federal government discontinued the federal fuel charge and the associated Canada Carbon Rebate. Consequently, there are no scheduled quarterly carbon rebate payments for 2026.
Additionally, the CRA has issued a warning regarding online misinformation. There have been false reports circulating about a “new $2,000 financial relief payment.” The CRA has confirmed that no such payment exists.
To stay safe, always verify your payment information through the official CRA My Account portal and avoid clicking on suspicious links in texts or emails claiming to be from the government.
FAQs
When is the next GST/HST credit payment in 2026?
The next scheduled payment for the GST/HST credit is April 2, 2026.
What is the deadline to file 2025 taxes to keep receiving benefits?
The general filing deadline is April 30, 2026, to ensure your benefit payments continue without delay.
Is there a new $2,000 relief payment from the CRA in 2026?
No, the CRA has officially labeled reports of a new $2,000 relief payment as disinformation.
Ben Lee is a content writer specializing in government schemes and public benefit programs, delivering clear and up-to-date information to help readers understand eligibility, payments, and policy changes.