As October 2025 approaches, millions of Canadians are getting ready for the final Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax (GST/HST) Credit payment of the year. This quarterly tax-free benefit, issued by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), helps low- and modest-income households offset the cost of everyday essentials such as groceries, fuel, and utilities. With provincial top-ups, some Canadians could receive more than $700 in their October payment — and families could see even higher totals.
Here’s a complete breakdown of eligibility, payment dates, and amounts to help you prepare for this final GST/HST Credit deposit of 2025.
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What Is the GST/HST Credit?
The GST/HST Credit is a tax-free quarterly payment designed to reduce the impact of the federal Goods and Services Tax (GST) and the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) on lower-income Canadians. It provides direct cash support so that individuals and families can better manage rising living costs.
While the federal government issues the main GST/HST Credit, many provinces and territories also offer additional top-up credits, which are combined into the same quarterly deposit. This means that depending on where you live, your October 2025 payment could be significantly higher than the federal base amount.
Who Is Eligible for the October 2025 GST/HST Credit?
To qualify for the October payment, you must meet the following criteria:
- Residency: You must be a Canadian resident for tax purposes in the month before and at the beginning of the month the credit is issued.
- Age Requirement: You must be at least 19 years old before the month of payment, unless you are married, in a common-law relationship, or a parent living with your child.
- Tax Filing: You must have filed your 2024 tax return, even if you had no income, as the CRA uses this return to determine eligibility.
The credit is based on your adjusted family net income. For the 2025–26 benefit year, the GST/HST Credit begins to phase out when family income exceeds $45,521, and eligibility ends when income reaches the following approximate thresholds:
- $56,181 for a single person without children
- $59,481 for a couple without children
- $63,161 for a single parent or couple with one child
- $66,841 for two children
- $70,521 for three children
- $74,201 for four children
How to Apply for the GST/HST Credit
Most Canadians don’t need to apply separately. Simply filing your 2024 tax return automatically allows the CRA to assess your eligibility and calculate the credit.
However, if you are a newcomer to Canada, you must complete and submit Form RC151 – GST/HST Credit Application for Individuals Who Become Residents of Canada. If you have children, you will also need to provide documents verifying their birth and residency.
How Much Can You Get in October 2025?
The federal maximum amounts per quarter for the 2025–26 benefit year are:
- $133.25 for a single individual
- $174.50 for married or common-law couples
- $46.00 per child under 19 (or $87.25 for the first child if you’re a single parent)
For example:
- A couple with two children could receive up to $266.50 each quarter, totalling $1,066 annually.
- A single parent with two children could receive $307.75 this quarter.
In addition to the federal payment, many provinces and territories — including Ontario, British Columbia, and Newfoundland and Labrador — provide provincial top-ups. Depending on your location and income, these additional amounts can push total October payments over $700 for individuals and more than $1,000 for families of four.
How the GST/HST Credit Is Calculated
The CRA calculates your total annual credit by combining:
- Base Credit: $349 for you, another $349 for a spouse or common-law partner, plus $184 for every child under 19. (For single parents, the first child counts as a partner equivalent at $349 instead of $184.)
- Single Supplement: If you are single and your income exceeds $11,337, the CRA adds 2% of your income above that line, up to a maximum of $184.
- Income Reduction: For adjusted family net incomes above $45,521, the CRA reduces the credit by 5% of the income exceeding that threshold.
The final amount is then divided into four equal quarterly payments.
October 2025 Payment Date
The next GST/HST Credit payment — and the final payment of the 2025 calendar year — will be issued on Friday, October 3, 2025.
While the CRA hasn’t released official dates for 2026, quarterly payments typically follow the same pattern, landing on the first Friday of January, April, July and October.
Is the GST/HST Credit Taxable?
No. The GST/HST Credit is completely tax-free. You do not need to report it as income when filing your tax return, and it will not affect your eligibility for other government benefits such as the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) or Old Age Security (OAS).
Tips to Ensure Timely Payment
- File your taxes on time each year, even if you have no income.
- Update the CRA if your address, marital status, or number of dependants changes.
- Consider direct deposit for faster and more secure payments.
Key Takeaway
The October 2025 GST/HST Credit provides a much-needed financial boost to millions of Canadians facing rising living costs. With federal payments plus provincial top-ups, eligible individuals could see deposits exceeding $700 this month.
If you’ve filed your taxes and meet the income requirements, you don’t need to do anything further — just watch your bank account for the October 3, 2025 deposit. For families and individuals struggling with inflation, this quarterly credit remains an essential source of tax-free support.