{"url":"https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/canadians-cra-one-time-bonus-payment","title":"12 million Canadians could get CRA bonus this spring","domain":"nationalpost.com","imageUrl":"https://images.pexels.com/photos/7621130/pexels-photo-7621130.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&h=650&w=940","pexelsSearchTerm":"Canadians receiving payment","category":"Politics","language":"en","slug":"d88ee5d9","id":"d88ee5d9-aa08-45fd-8ec2-19d2595cacb0","description":"Bill C-19 creates a one-time GST credit top-up for over 12 million low-income Canadians this spring.[[1]](https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/canadians-cr","summary":"## TL;DR\n- Bill C-19 creates a one-time GST credit top-up for over 12 million low-income Canadians this spring.[[1]](https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/canadians-cra-one-time-bonus-payment)[[2]](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/child-family-benefits/gst-hst-credit/how-much/one-time-top-up.html)\n- The payment equals 50% of the annual 2025-26 GST credit, up to $267 for singles or $349 for couples with no children.[[2]](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/child-family-benefits/gst-hst-credit/how-much/one-time-top-up.html)\n- It bridges to the new Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit, which replaces GST credit in July 2026 with 25% higher payments for five years.[[3]](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/child-family-benefits/canada-groceries-essentials-benefit.html)\n\n## The story at a glance\nThe National Post reports on a one-time top-up payment from the Canada Revenue Agency under Bill C-19, the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit Act, which got royal assent on February 12, 2026.[[1]](https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/canadians-cra-one-time-bonus-payment) It targets over 12 million recipients of the GST/HST credit, who qualify if they filed their 2024 tax return and got the January 2026 payment.[[2]](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/child-family-benefits/gst-hst-credit/how-much/one-time-top-up.html) The story is out now because the payment comes this spring, no later than June 2026, as a bridge to the new benefit.[[4]](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/child-family-benefits/benefit-payment-dates.html)\n\n## Key points\n- Bill C-19 delivers $3.1 billion in immediate aid via the 50% top-up on the 2025-26 GST credit value, based on 2024 adjusted family net income and January 2026 family situation.[[1]](https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/canadians-cra-one-time-bonus-payment)\n- Maximum top-up amounts: $267 (single, no children), $441 (single with 1 child), $349 (couple, no children); shared custody splits child amounts in half.[[2]](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/child-family-benefits/gst-hst-credit/how-much/one-time-top-up.html)\n- Eligible Canadians get it automatically via direct deposit or cheque if they file taxes on time; check CRA My Account or mail for notice.[[2]](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/child-family-benefits/gst-hst-credit/how-much/one-time-top-up.html)\n- The top-up transitions to Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB) starting July 2026, which boosts quarterly payments by 25% for five years to help with grocery and essential costs.[[3]](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/child-family-benefits/canada-groceries-essentials-benefit.html)\n- CGEB examples for 2026-27: up to $679 (single), $890 (couple), plus $234 per child under 19; same eligibility as old GST credit.[[3]](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/child-family-benefits/canada-groceries-essentials-benefit.html)\n- CRA warns of scams claiming fake payments like $2,000 relief; always check official CRA or government sites.[[4]](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/child-family-benefits/benefit-payment-dates.html)\n\n## Details and context\nThe GST/HST credit has long offset sales taxes for low- and modest-income households; this top-up and CGEB rename respond to rising food and essentials prices.[[3]](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/child-family-benefits/canada-groceries-essentials-benefit.html) Payments issue quarterly, but the one-time amount may appear labeled as GST credit during bank updates.[[2]](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/child-family-benefits/gst-hst-credit/how-much/one-time-top-up.html)\n\nTo qualify, file your 2024 return even with zero income; CRA assesses based on family net income thresholds not detailed here but tied to modest levels.[[2]](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/child-family-benefits/gst-hst-credit/how-much/one-time-top-up.html) The $8.6 billion in added CGEB support over five years aims at the same 12 million people.[[1]](https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/canadians-cra-one-time-bonus-payment)\n\n## Key quotes\n> “Bill C-19, the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit Act, provides a one-time top-up payment equal to a 50 per cent increase in the annual 2025-26 value of the GST Credit.”[[1]](https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/canadians-cra-one-time-bonus-payment)\n\n> “These measures will provide increased financial support to more than 12 million Canadians with low and modest incomes to help manage the costs of everyday essentials.” — Government of Canada.[[3]](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/child-family-benefits/canada-groceries-essentials-benefit.html)\n\n## Why it matters\nRising grocery costs hit low-income families hardest, so this delivers targeted tax relief without new taxes.  \nEligible readers could see up to several hundred dollars deposited soon, helping with spring bills if taxes are filed.  \nWatch your CRA account for payment notice by June 2026 and file 2025 taxes on time for future CGEB quarters.[[2]](https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/child-family-benefits/gst-hst-credit/how-much/one-time-top-up.html)","hashtags":["#canada","#cra","#gstcredit","#groceries","#benefit","#lowincome"],"sources":[{"url":"https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/canadians-cra-one-time-bonus-payment","title":"Original article"},{"url":"https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/child-family-benefits/gst-hst-credit/how-much/one-time-top-up.html","title":""},{"url":"https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/child-family-benefits/canada-groceries-essentials-benefit.html","title":""},{"url":"https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/child-family-benefits/benefit-payment-dates.html","title":""}],"viewCount":2,"publishedAt":"2026-04-08T22:36:54.935Z","createdAt":"2026-04-08T22:36:54.935Z","articlePublishedAt":"2026-04-08T16:03:09.000Z"}