Extra GST Payment Coming in 2025 – Eligibility, Payment Amounts & How to Get the Most Out of It

Published On: July 2, 2025

If you’re a Canadian struggling to keep up with rising costs, there might be some good news on the horizon.

The CRA could be rolling out an extra Goods and Services Tax (GST)/Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) Credit payment in 2025. This tax-free benefit is meant to offer temporary financial relief as inflation continues to bite.

But who qualifies, how much could you get, and how do you make sure you don’t miss out? Let’s break it all down in plain English.

Table of Contents

1 Overview
2 Eligibility
3 Payment
4 Boost
5 Calculation
6 FAQs

Overview

The GST/HST Credit is a quarterly payment that helps low- and moderate-income Canadians offset the sales taxes they pay on everyday purchases. It’s completely tax-free, and it’s based on your income and family situation.

In 2025, the CRA may introduce an additional one-time payment as a direct response to inflation or a sluggish economy—just like it did in previous downturns. If you’re eligible, this could give your budget a helpful boost.

Eligibility

To qualify for the extra GST payment in 2025, you’ll need to meet four basic conditions. These are automatically assessed by the CRA when you file your taxes.

Residency

You must be a resident of Canada for tax purposes when the payment is issued. If you’re living and working in Canada, you’re likely already meeting this rule.

Tax Filing

This one’s crucial: You must file your 2024 tax return, even if you earned no or very little income. The CRA uses your return to figure out if you qualify. Miss the filing deadline, and you might miss the payment altogether.

Income Limits

The lower your income, the more you may receive. The CRA sets income thresholds each year, and your adjusted family net income must fall below the cap.

Family Status

You must be 18 years or older, or have a spouse, common-law partner, or dependent child. Basically, if you’re responsible for yourself or someone else, you’re in the running.

Payment

While we don’t know the exact amount for 2025 yet, we can make an educated guess based on past relief payments. Here’s what the extra GST payment looked like last time:

Household Type	Previous Extra GST Payment
Single Individual	Up to $467
Married/Common-Law Couple	Up to $612
Each Dependent Child	Up to $161

So, if the CRA repeats this approach in 2025—with possible adjustments for inflation—you could receive a significant one-time boost, especially if you have children.

Boost

Want to make sure you get the full benefit? Here’s how to optimize your chances:

File Taxes Early

Even if you earn nothing, file your taxes. It’s the only way the CRA can assess your eligibility.

Update Your Details

Changed your name? Moved? Got married or had a baby? Let the CRA know. Outdated info can cause delays or reduce your payment.

Sign Up for Direct Deposit

Skip the wait for snail mail. Set up direct deposit with the CRA to get your money faster—and avoid lost checks.

Look into Provincial Programs

Some provinces offer their own tax credits. Ontario, Quebec, and others have benefits that could stack on top of the GST payment. Check your local revenue site.

Calculation

The CRA uses a few key factors to determine your GST credit. Here’s how it works:

Criteria	Impact on GST Credit
Income Level	Lower income = Higher payment
Family Size	More dependents = More money
Tax Filing	No return = No credit

Bottom line? File your taxes, keep your details up-to-date, and watch for announcements from the CRA about 2025’s payment.

With the economy in flux, every bit of extra cash can help. The extra GST payment may be just the thing to help you stay afloat, so don’t let it slip through the cracks.