Extra Cash Alert: Your GST Credit Is Getting a Boost in July
GST Credit Gets a Mid-Year Lift: Here’s How Much More You Could See in Your Pocket
Starting July 5, 2025, millions of Canadians will notice a slightly healthier deposit from the Canada Revenue Agency. That’s because Ottawa is indexing the Goods & Services Tax (GST) Credit for the new benefit year and, thanks to stubborn inflation, the bump is larger than usual.
Why the Credit Is Rising
The GST/HST Credit is adjusted every July using the Consumer Price Index so it keeps pace with the cost of living. Prices for food, rent and transit have climbed faster than wages over the past two years, so the 2025 indexation comes in at roughly 2.7 percent. For households on tight budgets, even that modest uplift can free up cash for essentials.
What the Increase Looks Like in Real Dollars
For the 2024 tax year (which determines payments from July 2025 to June 2026) the maximum annual credit rises to about $533 for a single person, $698 for a married or common-law couple, and $184 for each child under 19. Spread across the four quarterly installments, that’s roughly $133 every three months for a single adult and just over $174 per quarter for a couple—tax-free.
Expanded Eligibility
Indexation doesn’t just lift benefit amounts; it also nudges the income cut-offs higher. For example, the “single-supplement” now begins phasing in at $11,337 of adjusted net income, and benefits don’t fully phase out until around $45,521—meaning some Canadians who missed the mark last year will newly qualify this July. All calculations are automatic when you file your 2024 return, so no separate application is required.
When to Expect the Money
The CRA issues GST payments on the 5th day of July, October, January and April (or the previous business day if the 5th falls on a weekend). This year that means deposits or cheques dated Friday, July 4 2025 will carry the higher amount, followed by October 3 2025, January 5 2026 and April 3 2026. If nothing shows up within ten business days, the agency advises calling its benefit enquiries line.
How to Make Sure You Don’t Miss Out
File your 2024 tax return—even if you earned no income.
Update your CRA “My Account” if your address, marital status or number of children has changed.
Set up direct deposit for the fastest access to funds.
Watch for confirmation: the CRA’s benefit reminder emails land about a week before each payment.
More Than Spare Change
While the credit won’t single-handedly solve Canada’s affordability crunch, it stacks with the Canada Child Benefit and other indexed programs to create a meaningful buffer for low- and modest-income households. For a family of four, the GST Credit alone can top $1,066 per year, easing the squeeze at the grocery checkout and on utility bills.
GST Money Is Going Up
Need help confirming your eligibility, setting up direct deposit, or filing that 2024 return? The advisors at M7 Tax are ready to walk you through every step—reach out today and keep every dollar you’re entitled to.
